October 31st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 1 Water Rail, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ravens, 10 Egyptian Geese, 1 Firecrest, 2 Green Sandpipers, 9 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Pochard, 2 Little Egrets, 76 Coot, 52 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Grey Herons, 60 Mallard, 15 Blackbirds, 3 White-fronted Geese W, 20 Greylag Geese, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Fieldfare, 9 Redwings, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Goldcrests, 11 Siskins, 3 Jays, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Skylarks, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Redpoll, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Long-tailed Tit.

Birds ringed 20: Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 2, Robin 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 10.

Dave Smith walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and counted 82 Russian White-fronted Geese, 4 Shoveler, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Plover, 35 Golden Plover, 50 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 12 Song Thrushes, 32 Redwings, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits and 15 Chaffinches.

Derek Smith and Kerry McDonnel walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding. They saw 4 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Curlew, 3 Grey Plovers, 8 Redshank, 1 Raven, 550 Starlings W, 19 Song Thrushes, 60 Blackbirds, 3 Stonechats, 2 Siskins W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests and 7 Corn Buntings. Earlier, Kerry had heard a Little Owl at Potten Streen and 2 Tawny Owls at Shuart.

 October 30th

We spent a calm and sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 320 Greylag Geese, 48 Russian White-fronted Geese, 6 Fieldfares, 121 Redwings flying W, 3 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 4 Common Buzzards, 65 Linnets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 14 Skylarks W, 1 singing male Darford Warbler, 12 Song Thrushes, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Redpoll, 15 Robins, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 male Ring Ouzel arriving with a flock of Redwings.

Birds ringed 46: Chiffchaff 8, Long-tailed Tit 5, Robin 7, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Cetti's Warblers 1, Reed Bunting 3, Chaffinch 1, Dartford Warbler 1, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 9, Redwing 1, Blackbird 5.

Male Dartford Warbler

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0700 and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour where he found the birds of the day in the shape of 2 Penduline Tits which he saw in a dyke of phragmites before they were disturbed by a cyclist and flew high W (197th). Other birds he saw included 3 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 137 Russian White-fronted Geese, 10 Egyptian Geese, 31 Golden Plovers, 12 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 2 Water Rails, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Grey Partridges, 60 Blackbirds, 18 Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings, 1 Raven, 9 Magpies, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Stonchats, 4 Bramblings, 1 Dartford Warbler, 7 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

Penduline Tits - Derek Smith

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 140 Russian White-fronted Geese, 36 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 35 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Plover, 30 Golden Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 34 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 1 Sandwich Tern, 6 Little Grebes, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Kestrel, 6 Chiffchaffs, a flock of 30 Long-tailed Tits flying high W, 1 Firecrest, 10 Song Thushes, 10 Redwings, 35 Blackbirds, 35 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Redpoll.

 October 29th

It was a windless morning with the tide out as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. Birds we counted included 15 Skylarks W, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Robins, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 29 Meadow Pipits, 60 Starlings W, 3 Stonechats, 12 Goldfinches, 9 Corn Buntings, 78 Linnets, 14 Redshank, 4 Reed Buntings, 34 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 7 Mute Swans, 7 Mallard, 16 Cormorants, 5 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 19 Ringed Plovers, 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Divers, 45 Carrion Crows and 1 Grey Plover.

Dave Smith also walked in from Reculver along the seawall but to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He recorded 141 Russian White-fronted Geese, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Mute Swans, 23 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 47 Golden Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 3 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 11 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfiaher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 3 Ravens, 30 Skylarks, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Dartford Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 825 Starlings W, 13 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 9 Blackbirds, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 1 Redpoll and 9 Corn Buntings.

 October 28th

For the first time in a while we managed a morning's ringing at Shuart where we saw 6 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Redwings, 25 Song Thrushes, 7 Redpoll, 2 Great Spottred Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Blackbirds, 15 Robins, 18 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 18 Skylarks, 17 Cormorants, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 14 Linnets, 5 Fieldfares, 1 Merlin, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 25 Reed Buntings, 1 Woodlark flying W calling (196th), 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Siskin, 2 Ravens, 450 Starlings, 25 Teal and 1 Yellowhammer.

Birds ringed 38: Robin 10, Reed Bunting 14, Chaffinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 4, Blue Tit 1, Redpoll 1, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 4.

Male Redpoll

A female Cetti's Warbler we controlled this morning had originally been ringed by the East Kent wildlife Group at Richborough on 23 July 2026 and had flown 10 km NNW to reach Shuart.

 October 27th

With a fresh, south-west wind blowing in showers we spent seventy minutes at Reculver looking at the sea. We counted 495 Chaffinches flying W, 2 Gannets flying W, 4 Common Gulls, 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Stock Doves W, 65 Starlings W, 40 Ringed Plovers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Meadow Pipits, 1 Curlew, 2 Skylarks W, 4 Cormorants, 1 Jay and 1 Black Redstart flycatching from the seawall.

Black Redstart

 October 26th

On a damp and overcast morning we walked at Reculver and then had a look at the sea. We saw 2 Grey Herons, 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 110 Mallard, 3 Robins, 30 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 65 Coot, 3 Greylag Geese, 6 Little Grebes, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Wigeon, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 2 Song Thrushes, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Skylarks W and 1 Rock Pipit.

 October 24th

This morning, in the lull between Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, Anne and I walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall. We saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Robins, 20 Chaffinches W, 11 Grey Partridges, 2 Kestrels, 23 Cormorants, 26 Meadow Pipits, 79 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Redshank, 13 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 43 Mallard, 110 Lapwings, 40 Golden Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Ravens, 19 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Linnets, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Merlin.

Some of the Ringed Plovers roosting on the beach this morning

 October 23rd

On a wet morning with a southerly gale blowing we spent seventy five minutes at Reculver and counted 2 Red-throated Divers, 7 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Curlew, 2 Gannets E and 1 Whimbrel E.

Matt seawatched fro 1245 to 1500 and saw 4 Gannets, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas, 5 Little Gulls, 1 Great Skua and 5 Common Scoter.

 October 22nd

On a sunny morning with a fresh westerly wind blowing we walked at Reculver and saw 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 17 Teal, 21 Cormorants, 62 Coot, 110 Mallard, 20 Gadwall, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Little Grebes, 8 Meadow Pipits, 1 Redshank, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Robins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Redwing and 6 Blackbirds.

Red-legged Partridge

 October 21st

Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall and counted 1 Black Redstart, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Rock Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Ravens, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Curlew, 1 Common Tern, 20 Golden Plovers, 1 Swallow, 1 Red-throated Diver, 20 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 2 Mealy Redpoll and 2 Redpolls.

Mealy Redpoll - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith found the bird of the day, a Pallas's Warbler (195th), in the bushes beside the railway embankment just east of Chamber's Wall crossing. Other birds he saw on his walk from Shuart included 150 Greylag Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Wigeon, 50 Golden Plovers, 12 Lapwings, 10 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 1 Raven, 2 Skylarks, 11 Swallows, 5 Common Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 eastern type Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 120 Starlings, 7 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 1 Rock Pipit, 25 Chaffinches and 1 Siskin.

Pallas's Warbler - Dave Smith

"Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat - Dave Smith

On an overcast and drizzly morning Anne and I spent 40 minutes at Reculver where we saw 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Sandwich Terns, 5 Robins, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Greylag Geese E and 3 Little Egrets.

Black Redstart

 October 20th

It was a classic autumn migration morning with overcast conditions and SE breeze blowing as Matt and Dave Smith walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and Plumpudding returning along the embankment. Between 0700 and 1200 they counted 3 Fieldfares, 3 Great White Egrets, 2W and 1E, 2 Ravens, 4 Pintail W, 52 Russian White-fronted Geese E, 1 moulting adult Great Northern Diver E, 8 Rock Pipits, 5 Little Egrets, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 181 Brent Geese W, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Shelduck, 4 Red-throated Divers, 91 Wigeon W, 167 Lapwings, 10 Grey Plovers, 73 Ringed Plovers, 1 Knot, 1 Dotterel (194th) flying from field with 4 Grey Plovers, 5 Little Grebes, 25 Goldcrests and 3 Long-eared Owls flying in off the sea. They also counted 4 Gannets, 350 Starlings, 13 Curlew, 7 Stonechats, 1 Ruff in off, 12 Little Gulls E, 65 Grelag Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Tern, 46 Turnstone, 8 Sanderling, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Brambling, 28 Song Thrushes, 50 Robins, 22 Blackbirds, 125 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Herons, 20 Corn Buntings, 1 Peregrine, 8 Teal, 2 Firecrests, 6 Redwings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Redpoll, 1 Kingfisher, 20 Golden Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

In addition, Anne and I saw a Black Redstart at Reculver with the fourth Long-eared Owl of the morning flying in off the sea past the Towers.

Long-eared Owl - Matt Hindle

Two Mealy Redpoll - Matt Hindle

Russian White-fronted Geese - Matt Hindle

During the afternoon Matt and Marion walked at Bishopstone and saw 30 White-fronted Geese, 13 Swallows and 1 House Martin.

 October 19th

On a glorious autumn morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver and counted 2 Grey Partridges, 55 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Greylag Goose, 58 Ringed Plovers, 3 Sandwich Terns, 42 Oystercatchers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Redshank, 9 Skylarks, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Corn Buntings, 16 Linnets, 8 Robins, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 16 Cormorants, 2 Bearded Tits, 6 Turnstone, 120 Golden Plovers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Snipe, 34 Goldfinches and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

We met Matt on the seawall after he had walked in from Chamber's Wall. After this he returned along the Green Wall and his final totals were 2 Grey Herons, 6 Greylag Geese, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Redwings, 17 Brambling, 1 Firecrest, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 8 Redpoll, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Little Egrets, 151 Lapwings, 1 Water Rail, 2 Shelduck, 11 Stonechats, 85 Meadow Pipits, 3 Goldcrests, 13 Sandwich Terns, 3 Curlew, 7 Ravens, 2 Dartford Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Merlin, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Swallow, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Teal, 40 Corn Buntings, 120 Golden Plovers, 6 Siskins, 1 Greenfinch, 16 Blackbirds, 18 Song Thrushes, 200 Starlings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Blackcap and 40 Robins.

Dave Smith was also out on the Marsh this morning and saw 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Mute Swans, 5 Wigeon, 57 Mallard, 6 Teal, 7 Grey Plovers, 18 Golden Plovers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 75 Lapwings, 4 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 5 Turnstone, 3 Sandwich Terns, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Kestrels, 7 Ravens in a group, 22 Skylarks, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests, 445 Starlings, 26 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 10 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Rock Pipit, 33 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 6 Redpoll and 25 Corn Buntings. He also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Derek Smith birded from Shuart to Brooksend and the embankment from 0730 to 1400. He saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Pintail S, 3 Ravens, 50+ Blackbirds, 50+ Song Thrushes, 159 Starlings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Stonechats, 3 Brambling W, 1 Greenfinch W, 18 Siskins W, 4 Redpoll W, 43 Chaffinches W, 9 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldcrests and 1 Corn Bunting.

The best bird of the morning, however, was a Great Grey Shrike (193rd) found by Andy Bowers in the old caravan park at Reculver. Unfortunately it didn't stay around for long.

Great Grey Shrike - Matt Hindle

 October 18th

On an unpleasant morning with a strong northerly breeze blowing in frequent squally showers Anne and I spent an hour and three quarters ar Reculver whilst Matt and Dave Smith with one or two visiting birders spent from 0700 to1000 at the Towers seawatching. The final totals counted were 388 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 2 Great White Egrets W at 0710, 83 Wigeon W, 18 Ganets E, 11 Pintail W, 9 Teal W, 3 Red-throated Divers, 4 Curlew, 105 Common Gulls W, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 5 Rock Pipits W, 1 Redwing, 11 Little Gulls W, 47 Kittiwakes W, 16 Common Scoter, 8 Shelduck W, 225 Skylarks W, 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Ravens, 5 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Shoveler, 1 Merlin, 1 Knot W, 2 Dunlin, 130 Starlings W, 2 Pink-footed Geese N (191st), 1 large auk E, 70 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe W and 30 Lapwings.

This afternoona Leach's Petrel was seen flying W past the Towers (192nd).

 October 17th

It was a chilly but sunny morning with a fresh NNW wind blowing as we walked at Reculver. We recorded 3 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 30 Tufted Duck, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Wigeon, 85 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 90 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 9 Teal, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, 9 Cormorants, 16 Gadwall, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Egyptian Geese and 3 Sandwich Tern.

Male Egyptian Goose

Female Egyptian Goose

Matt together with Dave and Derek Smith and one or two visiting birders seawatched at the Towers between 0700 and 1340. Their final totals were 22 Pintail W, 12 Mediterranean Gulls E, 111 Wigeon W, 14 Kittiwakes W, 6 Grey Plovers W, 4 Little Egrets, 197 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Red-throated Divers, 29 Gannets E, 2 juvenile Arctic Terns W, 6 Sandwich Terns, 6 Rock Pipits W, 7 Arctic Skuas W, 27 Little Gulls W, 4 Teal W, 1 Golden Plover, 13 Common Scoter, 59 Skylarks W, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 1W and 1E, 1 Raven, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers W, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua W (188th), 2 Curlew, 1 Common Tern W, 1 Grey Phalarope in flight and then on the sea (189th), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Short-eared Owl W out at sea, 1 Great Skua W (190th) and 1 Perergrine.

 October 16th

With limited time we spent half and hour at an increasingly damp Reculver this morning and saw 1 moulting adult Red-throated Diver, 9 Cormorant, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 15 Meadow Pipits, 8 Linnets, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Stonechat.

Dave Smith birded around Reculver this morning. He saw 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Wigeon, 11 Mallard, 12 Grey Partridges, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Arctic Terns (186th), 1 Common Tern, 13 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Divers, 5 Gannets, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 15 Skylarks, 5 Chiffchaffs, 90 Starlings, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 5 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 810 Chaffinches W and 12 Corn Buntings.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and Plunpudding. He recorded 3 Kestrels. 1 Tufted Duck, 75 Lapwings, 1 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 32 Skylarks NW, 65 Starlings W, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Ring Ouzels, one on the embankment and one at Chamber's Wall, 6 Stonechats, 580 Chaffinches W, 21 Goldfinches W, 1 Greenfinch w, 61 Siskins W, 4 Bramblings W, 11 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

The undoubted highlight of the afternoon was a Cory's Shearwater that was seen from the Towers by Jack and Phil Chantler and Nige Jarman (187th). It flew E and then N at about 1250 and is only the seventh Cory's Shearwater to be recorded in the Reculver area. 

After this Matt arrived at the Towers and also Julian Russell and between them they counted 6 Arctic Skuas, 35 Gannets, 2 Razorbills, 7 Red-thoated Divers, 2 Common Scoter, 391 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 1 Common Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Arctic Tern W, 10 Grey Plovers W, 14 Little Gulls W, 22 Sandwich Terns W, 3 large auks, 2 Kittiwakes and 5 Pintail W.

There was also a first winter Black Redstart feeding on insects on the rocks by the car park during the afternoon.