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. 

 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), the equal earliest record for Reculver Marshes, 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.

This afternoon Matt walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and back again to Shuart. He saw 1 Red Kite, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Swallows, 1 Little Egrets, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Barnacle Goose, 6 Greylag Geese, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat.

 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.