April 25th

I arrived at a sunny Reculver where there was no wind blowing for a change and walked up to the Wantsum outflow where I met Matt who had walked as far as Plumpudding and returned along the railway embankment. Birds I saw included 4 Goldfinches, 12 Whitethroats, 24 Linnets, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Stonechats, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Owl, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Swallows W, 4 Mediterranean Gulls E, 22 Mute Swans, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Meadow Pipits, 9 Sedge Warblers, 19 Sandwich Terns, 1 Redshank, 1 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Shelduck, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Whimbrel E, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel and 2 Common Sandpipers.

Little Owl

 

Sandwich Terns

On his walk Matt saw 15 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot, 13 Corn Buntings, 3 Gadwall, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Reed Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 21 Whimbrel, 4 Wheatears, 15 Swallows, 4 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 89 Sandwich Terns E, 13 Shelduck, 1 Greenshank, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Stonechat, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Cuckoo, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 45 Oystercatchers, 180 Sanderling, 1 Tree Pipit W, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Tern and 2 Common Sandpipers.

Sedge Warbler - Matt Hindle

 

Cetti's Warbler - Matt Hindle

Oystercatcher - Matt Hindle

Male Mallard - Matt Hindle

Male Wheatear - Matt Hindle

Wheatear - Matt Hindle

 April 24th

On yet another sunny morning Matt was our at daybreak and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and returned along the embankment to the Wantsum outflow where I met him before we both returned along the seawall to Reculver. His final totals were 3 Shelduck, 24 Whimbrel, 4 Stonechats, 1 Fulmar, 5 Little Egrets, 9 Turnstone, 25 Mute Swans, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Terns E (153rd), 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose W, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling (154th), 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Reed Warblers, 180 Sanderling, 79 Swallows W, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Blue-headed Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 18 Sand Martins W, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 House Martin W and 1 Common Gull.

Ringed Plover

 Dave Smith was also out early and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Coldharbour. He recorded 4 Greylag Geese, 25 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 2 Common Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Curlew, 5 Coot, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwings, 18 Whimbrel E, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 90 Sanderling, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Kestrels, 5 Sand Martins, 29 Swallows, 11 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 30 Whitethroats, 1 Ring Ouzel (155th), 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Meadow Pipits and 6 Corn Bunting.

 April 23rd

My walk at Reculver this morning in bright sunshine produced 6 Blackcaps, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 29 Mallard, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 12 Reed Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 16 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 10 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Buzzard, 24 Sand Martins, 4 Swallows, 3 Shelduck, 2 Reed Buntings, 5 Greylag Geese, 3 Teal, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 4 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Oystercatchers and 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W.

Male Shelduck

 Matt walked from Shuart to Brooksend and then on to Plumpudding this morning. He saw 7 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Whitethroats, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Jays, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 13 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Little Grebe, 13 Greylag Geese, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Kestrel, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Reed Warblers. He also saw 3 Hairy Dragonflies.

 April 22nd

It was another sunny morning as I had a walk at Shuart. The surprising highlight of the morning was having 4 Chough fly over me at Shuart calling repeatedly. These are obviously birds from the Dover Castle reintroduction scheme and were later seen by Matt circling Reculver Towers and flying on towards Bishopstone. Other birds seen at Shuart included 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Chaffinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Common Buzzard.

Later Matt had a Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler at Reculver. 

 April 21st

On another bright, cool and breezy morning my walk at Reculver produced 4 Blackcaps, 6 Chaffinches, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 21 Mallard, 5 Whitethroats, 55 Sand Martins, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Grebe, 25 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 12 Swallows, 4 Teal, 14 Coot, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Skylarks.

 April 20th

On another sunny morning with a chilly northerly breeze blowing and the tide out I walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. I saw 8 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Partridge, 14 Sedge Warblers, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Linnets, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Gannets E, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Stonechats, 1 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sand Martins, 4 Turnstone, 23 Mute Swans, 4 Reed Buntings, 2 Swallows W, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Stock Doves and 1 Blackcap.

Male Stonechat

 

Meadow Pipit

Stock Dove

 

 April 19th

Although it was sunny this morning there was a chilly northerly breeze blowing in off the sea as I walked at Reculver. I recorded 10 Chaffinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Mute Swans, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Grey Herons, 16 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kestrel, 25 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Reed Warblers, 8 Coot, 2 Teal, 30 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows, 4 Shelduck, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylarks, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Linnets, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 8 Mediterranean Gulls E.

Common Sandpiper

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to the Wantsum. His highlights were 3 Greylag Geese, 24 Mute Swans, 8 Mallard, 20 Stock Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Coot, 5 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Swallows, 6 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 26 Whitethroats, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Stonechat, 1 female Wheatear, 7 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Corn Buntings. 

 April 18th

As the overnight rain moved through to the south east I had a walk at Chamber's Wall. I counted 1 Grey Heron, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Skylarks, 9 Whitethroats, 7 Sedge Warblers, 3 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 32 Mediterranean Gulls feeding on a recently harrowed field, 3 Chiffchffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Kestrel.

Yellow Wagtail

 

Mediterranean Gulls

Matt completed his regular walk from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He saw 98 Mediterranean Gulls mainly flying E, 5 Little Egrets, 10 Shelduck, 10 Yellow Wagtails W, 3 Common Gulls, 32 Swallows W, 2 Stonechats, 8 Reed Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 alba Wagtails W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Wheatear, 2 Lapwings, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 26 Mute Swans, 1 Greylag Goose, 36 Sand Martins W, 1 Tree Pipit W (152nd), 2 House Martins W and 1 Nightingale singing.

 April 17th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 11 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Redpoll, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 3 Skylarks, 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Swallows, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Bullfinch (151st), 20 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Red Kite and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.

Birds ringed 10: Chiffchaff 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 3, Linnet 2, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 1.

Common Whitethroat

Red Kite

 

 April 16th

This morning I walked at Reculver and saw 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Mute Swans, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Skylarks, 10 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 16 Mallard, 1 Grey Herons, 14 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egrets.

Matt was also out early and completed his regular walk from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Sand Martins W, 7 Swallows W, 1 Wheatear, 6 Stonechats, 2 Common Gulls, 6 Reed Warblers, 26 Mute Swans, 1 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Curlew, 3 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Lapwings, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Collared Doves W, 2 Willow Warblers and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

 April 15th

It was showery this morning as Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the embankment. He counted 16 Yellow Wagtails W, 1 Little Owl, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Redpoll W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Wheatears, 5 Little Egrets, 29 Mute Swans, 5 Reed Warblers, 1 Common Sandpiper in Coldharbour (150th), 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Sand Martins, 3 Stonechats, 6 Swallows W, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Siskin W, 4 Lapwings, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Snipe, 22 Meadow Pipits W and 1 Egyptian Goose E.

Sunrise at Reculver - Matt Hindle

I walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Mute Swan, 8 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Swallows, 14 Sand Martins, 40 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Reed Warblers, 14 Coot, 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Gadwall, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Jay and 1 Mediterranean Gull. 

 April 14th

This morning I walked from Reculver to the Wanstum outflow and recorded 8 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Skylarks, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Owl, 2 Mallard, 7 Sedge Warblers, 14 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 24 Mute Swans, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Swallows W, 2 Redshank, 11 Cormorants, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Snipe and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Male Yellow Wagtail

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart, along the embankment and on to Coldharbour and Brooksend. He saw 1 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck W, 12 Tufted Duck, 33 Mediterranean Gulls SE, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Lapwings, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 36 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Blackcaps, 34 Sedge Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler.

 April 13th

With showers passing by on either side it was a pleasant sunny morning as I walked at Reculver. Birds I saw included 5 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 20 Tufted Duck, 12 Coot, 2 Greylag Geese, 26 Mallard, including 2 family groups, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Skylarks, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 1 Raven, 1 Kestrel, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe and Pied Wagtails.

Male Pied Wagtail

 

 April 12th

It was bright and breezy this morning as I walked along the seawall and counted 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 18 Linnets, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Mallard, 1 singing Chaffinch at the Oyster Farm, 2 Redshank, 7 Sedge Warblers, 13 Corn Buntings, 5 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatchers, 2 Wheatears moving W along the beach, 1 Ringed Plover. 8 Mute Swans, 1 Swallow W and 1 Pied Wagtail. 

Corn Bunting

Dave Smith was also birding this morning at Shuart and Plumpudding and recorded 22 Mute Swans, 3 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warblers, 8 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Whitethroats, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Stonechat, 2 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Siskins. 

 April 11th

Matt was out at first light and walked along the seawall from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment to the Wantsum outflow where I met him and together we walked back to Reculver. His totals for the morning were 21 Whitethroats, 1 Little Owl, 1 Shelduck, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Terns feeding offshore and moving E (145th),  the equal earliest record for the recording area, 6 Greylag Geese, 2 Reed Warblers, 5 Wheatears, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 22 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 200 Sanderling and 1 Greenshank on the beach, then flew W (146th), the earliest record for Reculver Marshes. He also recorded 1 Grey Plover, 7 Chiffchaffs, 48 Swallows W, 5 Stonechats, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lapwing, 3 Lesser Whitethroats (147th), 1 Blackcap, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Siskin W, 28 Mute Swans, 8 Sand Martins W, 2 House Martins W (148th), 41 Goldfinches W, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Curlew and 1 Whimbrel flying in off the sea (149th).

Later a Red Kite flew W at Brook.