April 10th 

On a much chillier morning I walked at Reculver and saw 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Swallow W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 11 Chaffinches, 4 Linnets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Sand Martins, 18 Tufted Ducks, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 34 Mallard, 6 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Snipe, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Muted Swans, 1 singing Garden Warbler (144th), 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to the Green Wall and back along the seawall. He recorded 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 21 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Common Buzzards, 4 Red Kites W, 2 Kestrels, 33 Mediterranean Gulls E, 3 Lapwings, 18 Swallows W, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Stonechats, 31 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 34 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs and 1 Goldcrest.

 April 9th

The sun was shining again this morning as I walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. I saw 2 Blackcaps, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 37 Linnets, 1 Swallow W, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Skylarks, 4 Chaffinches, 6 Meadow Pipits, 4 Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, 1 Stonechat, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Sedge Warblers, 23 Mute Swans, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Shelduck, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Turnstone, 1 Wheatear, 3 Curlew E, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Red-legged Partridge.

Male Wheatear

This morning Julian Perry found a Cuckoo (142nd) on the embankment between Chamber's Wall and Plumpudding. This is the earliest record of a Cuckoo in the recording area beating the previous early record on 10th April 1993 by one day.

During the afternoon Matt and Marion walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Red Kite W, 2 Snipe, 1 summer plumaged Water Pipit in flooded field at Coldharbour (143rd), 1 Swallow, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Teal. 

 April 8th

It was another fantastic spring morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour for the first time since December. Birds I saw included 8 Skylarks, 7 Blackcaps, 9 Sedge Warblers, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Linnets, 3 Song Thrushes, 6 Chaffinches, 1 singing Reed Warbler (141st), 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Greylag Geese, 24 Mute Swans, 3 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats, 5 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 singing Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Buntings and 1 Kestrel.

Green-veined White on Blackthorn

This afternoon Matt and Marion walked at Reculver and recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 3 Mallard families, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 18 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Partridges and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.

 April 7th

On another sunny morning I walked from Reculver to the Green Wall and back and saw 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Linnets, 7 Redshank, 1 Gadwall, 1 Stonechat, 7 singing Sedge Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Greylag Geese, 21 Mute Swans, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron. 

This morning Matt walked from Reculver along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 7 Willow Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 7 Blackcaps, 28 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails W, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Curlew, 6 Stonechats, 21 Sedge Warblers, 5 Shelduck, 6 Greylag Geese, 8 Redshank, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Snipe, 42 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone, 6 Grey Plovers 1 Swallow, 2 Lapwings, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 female Hen Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Brambling.

 

Female Hen Harrier

 Marc Heath was out early this morning and at Bishopstone had a singing Nightingale (139th),our earliest ever, and 1 Common Redstart (140th). 

 April 6th

On a glorious spring morning I walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. I counted 8 Cetti's Warblers, 21 Linnets, 10 Meadow Pipits, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 6 singing Sedge Warblers, 14 Corn Buntings, 6 Ringed Plovers, 13 Mute Swans, 9 Redshank, 3 Skylarks, 28 Turnstone, 1 Sand Martin W, 4 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E and 2 Grey Herons.

Black-headed Gulls

This morning Derek Smith walked from Minnis Bay and along the embankment to the Green Wall and back via Plumpudding and Brooksend. He counted 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 6 Mediterranean Gulls E, 14 Redshank, 5 Grey Plovers, 29 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 2 Stonechats, 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Whitethroat (136th), 6 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaffs and 1 Corn Bunting.

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Bishopstone to Reculver and his highlights were 1 Yellow Wagtail (137th) and 1 singing Whitethroat.

Julian Perry also had a Wheatear (138th) at Bishopstone. 

 April 5th

On a breezy morning I walked at Reculver and saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Skylarks, 7 Greylag Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 5 Egyptian Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Coot, 5 calling Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Pied Wagtail, 12 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Gadwall, 1 Swallow, 15 Corn Buntings and 10 Linnets.

Matt had a look at Minnis Bay and then walked at Shuart. At Minnis he saw 6 Sandwich Terns (135th), 1 Little Egret and 2 Mediterranean Gulls and at Shuart there were 12 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Redwings, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Brambling, 1 Jay and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.

 April 4th

On a lovely morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and I met him at Coldharbour before we both walked back to Reculver together. His highlight was finding the third calendar year Iceland Gull, sub species Kumlien's, moving slowly W at Coldharbour. 

Third calendar year Iceland Gull, subspecies Kumlien's - Matt Hindle

 Other birds he recorded were 3 Little Egrets, 23 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Shelduck, 4 Stonechats, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 male Greenfinch, 5 Greylag Geese, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Peregrine, 25 Mediterranean Gulls E calling, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Siskin W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Skylarks and 1 Swallow W. 

 April 3rd

As I left the house this morning there was a migrant Blackcap singing in our garden. I drove to a windy and chilly Reculver and walked out onto the Marsh where I recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 46 Linnets, 1 Siskin W, 14 Chaffinches, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Sand Martins, 12 Coot and 14 Tufted Duck.

Derek Smith was out at Shuart at 0730 and walked along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and saw 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 115 Goldfinches flying W, 35 Chaffinches flying W, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap and 17 Chiffchaffs.

 April 2nd 

On a surprisingly chilly morning I walked at Reculver and saw 6 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Chaffinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 4 Mute Swans, 6 Greylag Geese, 14 Coot, 12 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Green Woodpecker.

 

 

The Environment Agency destroying the foliage along the railway embankment at Plumpudding - Matt Hindle

 April 1st

Matt was out before me this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He recorded 1 Grey Heron, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 1 male Greenfinch W (133rd), 4 Little Egrets, 3 Stonechats, 66 Turnstone, 2 singing Sedge Warblers (134th), 5 Greylag Geese, 18 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, 10 Sand Martins W, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lapwings, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Siskin, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Shelduck.

I was out a 0745 and walked from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow and back and saw 3 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 30 Linnets, 32 Oystercatchers, 48 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 6 Ringed Plovers, 19 Redshank, 1 singing Sedge Warbler, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Curlew, 1 Swallow W, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier flying W at Sea, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Shelduck, 2 Corn Buntings and 2 Meadow Pipits.

 March 31st

On a drizzly and overcast morning I walked at Reculver and counted 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 8 Chaffinches, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 13 Greylag Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 14 Coot, 12 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Gadwall, 2 Redshank, 1 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Teal and 12 Goldfinches.

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He recorded 19 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, 2 Canada Geese W, 4 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Stonechats, 30 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 alba Wagtails W, 1 Snipe, 240 Oystercatchers, 1 Swallow W, 1 Willow Warbler singing at the stables, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Raven, 110 Linnets and 5 Greylag Geese.

 March 30th

It was sunny this morning with a fresh NW wind blowing as I walked inland at Reculver and saw 7 Mute Swans, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Linnets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Shelduck,  5 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Coot, 12 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Mediterranean Gulls W. 

There was a migrant Chiffchaff singing in our garden at Bishopstone as I got home.

 March 29th

This morning, for a change, I walked from Shuart to Plumpudding lagoon. Birds I saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap singing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Marsh Harriers, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Skylarks, 4 Lapwings, 22 Linnets, 10 Reed Buntings, 14 Ringed Plovers, 10 Redshank, 130 Oystercatchers, 22 Curlew, 120 Sanderling, 44 Turnstone, 7 Grey Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stonechat collecting nesting material, 1 Water Rail, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Willow Warbler singing and 15 Chaffinches.

It was good to meet Nick Hando and have a chat as I returned to Shuart. Later he saw 1 Red Kite flying in off the sea, 2 Swallows flying W (132nd), 13 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 90+ Sanderling.

 March 28th

On a sunny morning with a chilly and eye-watering NW wind blowing Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 825 Herring Gulls W, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Shelduck, 1 Little Grebes, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 39 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 300 Sanderling, 4 Chiffchaffs, 15 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 140 Oystercatchers, 50 Turnstone, 20 Grey Plovers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

 I walked at Reculver and saw 1 Kestrel, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Little Egret, 5 Chiffchaffs, 21 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 18 Tufted Duck, 5 Greylag Geese, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redshank, 12 Gadwall, 8 Teal and 8 Goldfinches.

 March 27th

This morning I walked along the seawall from Reculver and recorded 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 newly arrived Chiffchaffs, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Redshank, 39 Linnets mainly flying W, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Stonechats, 9 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Corn Bunting and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.

 

Grey Seal with Grey Mullet