October 7th

On an overcast morning we walked at Reculver and counted 6 Chiffchaffs, 6 Ravens, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Snipe, 65 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 120 Coot, 80 Mallard, 3 Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Siskin.

After an early morning walk Matt spent most of the day at the Towers (0700-0900 and 1145-1700). He was joined for some of the afternoon by Dave and Derek Smith. His final totals were 7 Rock Pipits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Stonechats, 24 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Red-throated Divers, 4 Pomarine Skuas (183rd), 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Curlew, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Skylarks in off, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill E, 13 Sandwich Terns, 27 Gannets E, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits W, 7 Arctic Skuas W, 2 Teal, 60 Little Gulls W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Manx Shearwaters W (184th), 4 Common Terns W and 11 Pintail W.

 October 6th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart and saw 1 Tawny Owl, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Curlew, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 140 Greylag Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 25 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 12 Chaffinches W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechats, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Siskins W, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 Brambling and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 48: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 17, Blackcap 6, Cetti's Warbler 2, Robin 3, Reed Bunting 11, Blue Tit 1, Stonechat 2, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Woodpigeon 1.

A late Reed Warbler

 October 5th

We spent a mild and sunny autumn morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 96 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 80 Mallard, 24 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 106 Coot, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snipe, 40 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests, 1 Song Thrush, 12 Blackcaps, 37 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Jays, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Siskins, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 39: Chiffchaff 26, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 8, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith was also out today having just returned from his trip to the Shetland Islands and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Coldharbour. He recorded 1 Cattle Egret flying W over Shuart Farm, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Swallows W, 9 Song Thrushes, 70 Starlings W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 6 Stonechats, 2 Brambling W, 58 Chaffinches W, 17 Blackcaps, 55 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

 October 4th

We spent a pleasant sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we counted 1 Water Rail, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Stonechats, 3 Swallows, 20 Chiffchaffs, 31 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Magpies, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Linnets, 4 Siskins W, 1 Jay and 10 Skylarks.

Birds ringed 61: Chiffchaff 21, Great Tit 7, Blue Tit 4, Blackcap 21, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 1.

Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back and saw 120 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 31 Mallard, 4 Coot, 21 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 3 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Gull, 4 Sandwich Terns, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 46 Skylarks W, 27 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dartford Warbler (182nd), 8 Blackcaps, 66 Starlings W, 1 Song Thrush, 12 Meadow Pipits, 13 Chaffinches and 13 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan birded at Reculver and Bishopstone and his highlights at Reculver were 11 Grey Partridges, 39 Ringed Plovers, 56 Skylarks W, 16 Chiffchaffs and 1 Brambling and at Bishopstone 16 Chiffchaffs and 6 Little Egrets.

 October 3rd

This morning we walked at Reculver and counted 5 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 5 Robins, 110 Coot, 2 Teal, 72 Gadwall, 95 Mallard, 35 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Mute Swans, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jays, 1 Little Egret, 2 Swallows W, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Matt was out early and walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He recorded 36 Chiffchaffs, 29 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Ravens, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Little Egrets, 9 Rock Pipits, 26 Meadow Pipits W, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Red-throated Divers, 82 Greylag Geese, 6 Wigeon, 1 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 2 Gadwall, 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Stonechats, 13 Lapwings, 4 Golden Plover, 6 Siskins W, 16 Skylarks, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Wagtails, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.

Adult Red-throated Diver - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and recorded 65 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Wigeon, 17 Mallard, 1 Coot, 15 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Lapwings, 2 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Jays, 3 Ravens, 2 Bearded Tits (181st), 15 Swallows, 37 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests, 30 Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Song Thrushes, 8 Blackbirds, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtails, 16 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 11 Chaffinches and 17 Corn Buntings.

 October 2nd

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Hariier, 1 Redpoll, 34 Lapwings, 9 Greylag Geese, 35 Linnets, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 15 Chaffinches, 6 Bramblings, 5 Swallows, 1 Yellowhammer, 10 Meadow Pipits, 40 Blackcaps, 2 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cattle Egrets with cattle, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 69: Chiffchaff 21, Wren 1, Blackcap 33, Reed Bunting 6, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 2, Dunnock 2.

Cattle Egrets

 October 1st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Robins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Firecrests, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Tawny Owl calling early on, 6 Little Grebes, 111 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 53 Tufted Duck, 77 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 110 Mallard, 3 Jays, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Swallows W, 2 Siskins W, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Brambling, 1 Kestrel, 4 Blackcaps and 6 Chaffinches.

Birds ringed 29: Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 17, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 3, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

Dave Smith arrived at Reculver early and found the Yellow-browed Warbler still by the car park. Other birds he saw in the area were 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 7 Mallard, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Jays, 2 Skylarks, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Stonechats, 3 Chaffinches W, 1 Siskin and 3 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan also visited Reculver and his highlights were the Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Stonechats and 9 Reed Buntings and between Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour 5 Mediterrnean Gulls, 4 Stonechats, 13 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests whilst at Shuart he saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 3 Firecrests.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Brendan Ryan

 September 30th

On a mild and damp morning with a fresh southerly wind blowing we walked at various sites at Reculver and our highlight was  2 Red-necked Grebes seen briefly at Reculver (180th). Other birds we saw were 5 Robins, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 95 Mallard, 45 Gadwall, 142 Coot, 66 Tufted Duck, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Dunlin, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Ravens, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Stonechats.

Red-necked Grebes

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding along the seawall and back along the embankment. He saw 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Rock Pipits W, 26 Sandwich Terns E, 6 Stonechats, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Lapland Buntings W (179th), 6 Little Egrets, 2 Red-throated Divers, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Swallows W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 7 Ravens E, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Blackcap, 9 Reed Buntings, 1 Firecrest, 1 Little Owl, 2 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed tits, 51 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 9 Skylarks, 5 Kestrels, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Lapwings and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Reculver Car Park.

 September 29th

The overnight rain left a misty, murky morning that gradually brightened up as we walked along the seawall from Reculver. Birds we counted included 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 8 Robins, 4 Stonechats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Redshank, 43 Linnets, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 39 Meadow Pipits, 12 Reed Buntings, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Curlew, 2 Wigeon W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 17 Mallard, 95 Golden Plovers and 4 Oystercatchers.

Brendan Ryan was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. His highlights were 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 21 Chiffchaffs, 11 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Stonechats and 21 Reed Buntings.

 September 28th

We spent the morning ringing at another site at Shuart and saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Red-legged Partridges, 15 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Swallows W, 67 Greylag Geese, 3 Stonechats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 15 Reed Buntings, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Skylarks, 2 Jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Birds ringed 41: Chiffchaff 11, Wren 1, Blackcap 12, Reed Buntings 13, Stonechat 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.

 September 27th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 32 Linnets, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Song Thrushes W, 4 Skylarks, 5 Stonechats, 30 Chiffchaffs, 25 Blackcaps, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kestrel, 1,500 Black-headed Gulls, 300 Herring Gulls, 1 Peregrine, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Firecrest, 10 Reed Buntings and 1 Ruff.

Birds ringed 62: Chiffchaff 22, Long-tailed Tit 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 21, Blue Tit 2, Robin 4, Stonechat 3, Reed Bunting 7, Goldfinch 1.

First year male Stonechat

Dave Smith was also out at Shuart this morning and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 3 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 8 Coot, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plovers, 8 Lapwings, 7 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 34 Turnstone, 11 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 1 Merlin (178th), 1 Peregrine, 28 Skylarks E, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Swallow, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 150 Starlings W, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits W and 4 Chaffinches.

 September 26th

This morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 6 Cetti's Warblers, 80 Mallard, 130 Coot, 52 Gadwall, 38 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Shoveler, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Herons and 1 Raven.

 September 25th

We spent an increasingly warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Ravens, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 2 Lapwings, 122 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 43 Tufted Duck, 43 Gadwall, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 80 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Jays flying W and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 30: Chiffchaff 15, Wren 1, Blackcap 5, Robin 1, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 2 Great Tit 3, Dunnock 1.

 September 24th

We spent another morning ringing, this time at one of our sites at Shuart. Whilst we were there we saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 calling Little Owl, 110 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Stonechats, 1 Sedge Warblers, 1 Swallow, 50 Chiffchaffs, 30 Blackcaps, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Firecrests and 15 Robins.

Birds ringed 92: Chiffchaff 34, Long-tailed Tits 8, Wren 1, Firecrest 2, Blue Tit 9, Blackcap 23, Robin 7, Linnet 1, Great Tit 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Reed Warbler 1.

We also controlled a first year male Blackcap that had been ringed at Gedling Country Park, Nottinghamshire by the South Notts Ringing Group on August 30th 2026. It had travelled 241 km SE to reach Shuart.

Whilst we were ringing Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 87 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 25 Ringed Plovers, 12 Curlew, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 2 Reed Warblers, 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps and 1 Firecrest.

 September 23rd

We had a very enjoyable morning's ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Firecrests, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 30 Blackcaps, 60 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (177th), 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 immature Peregrine unsuccessfully chasing a Tufted Duck. We also recorded 7 Shoveler, 6 Little Grebes, 36 Tufted Duck, 77 Gadwall, 83 Mallard, 133 Coot, 1 Snipe, 7 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Hobby, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Kite, 4 Corn Buntings and 7 Mediterranean Gulls.

Birds ringed 77: Chiffchaff 44, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Firecrest 1, Reed Warbler 2, Blackcap 17, Blue Tit 3, Robin 1, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler - Matt Hindle