May 31st
On a lovely, bright morning we walked at Shuart before dropping in at Reculver on the way home and recorded 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 13 Coot, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Little Owl, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Skylarks, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 7 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Chiffchaffs. We also saw a number of butterflies including 3 Small Heaths, 4 Speckled Woods and 1 Red Admiral.

Red-legged Partridge

Speckled Wood

May 30th
Anne walked at Bishopstone Glen this morning and saw 1 Fulmar, 80 Sand Martins, 8 Whitethroats and a family party of Blackcaps.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and recorded 11 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard,7 Cormorants, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 7 singing Skylarks, 9 Reed Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap and 11 Linnets.

Yellow-horned Poppies are beginning to flower

May 29th
On a much more pleasant morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and saw 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Swifts, 7 Skylarks, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Corn Bunting. Marc Heath was also out this morning and in addition saw a Turtle Dove.

Male Reed Bunting

May 28th
On another wet and drizzly morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We saw 11 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 5 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Skylarks, 22 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Wheatear, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 6 Linnets.
Marc Heath was also out and also got soaked. He recorded 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Hobby, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Owls, 70 Swifts, 30 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 5 Sedge Warblers,  Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff.

May 27th
On an unpleasant morning with a fresh northerly breeze blowing in non-stop drizzle we walked along the seawall from Reculver. Birds we saw included 5 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorants, 1 Fulmar E over the beach, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 9 Sanderling in various stages of moult, 1 Common Tern, 1 Little Owl, 2 Pied Wagtails, 80 Starlings and 2 Linnets.

Common Tern

May 26th
We completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall this morning and saw very much what we saw yesterday. Birds we recorded were 11 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 1 Mallard, 5 Cormorants, 2 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Skylarks, 11 Sand Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatear, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 5 Linnets.

Ringed Plover

At Grenham Bay this morning Terry Wilson recorded 15 Gannets, 3 Common Terns and 1 Sandwich Tern.

May 25th
On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 13 Mute Swans, including 2 adults with 7 cygnets of which 3 were "polish" morphs, 3 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 adult and 1 juvenile Coot, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Skylarks, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps and 2 Linnets.

Female Mute Swan with 7cygnets including 3 "polish" morphs

This afternoon we had a walk at Shuart and saw 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs. There were also  a number of Hairy Dragonflies on the wing.

Mating Hairy Dragonflies

May 24th
We arrived at Chamber's Wall an hour later than usual to avoid the early, heavy rain. We walked up to the seawall and still found it very quiet with just the usual birds to be seen. We recorded 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 4 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 5 Swifts W, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Linnets.

Turnstone squabbling

May 23rd
It was another relatively quiet morning as we walked from Reculver along the seawall with a blustery SW wind blowing. We saw 6 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 4 Cormorants, 1 Gannet E, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 2 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kingfisher, 16 Swifts feeding over the fields, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Whitethroats and 4 Linnets.

Little Egrets in the Oyster Farm

May 22nd
With a southerly wind and an inch and a half of rain overnight I thought there might be some new birds to seen this morning, but our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour produced very little that was new. We saw 2 Mute Swans, 3 Sheduck, 7 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 4 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank, 22 Swifts, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.

Male Marsh Harrier

May 21st
This morning was overcast with no wind as we walked along the seawall from Reculver and then inland. Highlight of the morning was 2 Black-throated Divers flying W, an unexpected sighting. Other birds seen included 5 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 8 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, 1 first year Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Jay, 12 Sand Martins, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting.

Male Yellow Wagtail

May 20th
Although it was mainly sunny this morning a warm, southerly wind was blowing thickening cloud up from the Continent. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 5 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps and 7 Linnets.

May 19th
After the winter storms large sections of cliff between Reculver and Bishopstone collapsed with the result that the Sand Martin holes near Reculver were destroyed. This summer the birds have excavated new holes east of Bishopstone Glen and this morning Anne counted 85 new nest holes in use.

Sand Martin colony at Bishopstone

May 18th
The warm sun was shining this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 4 Mute Swans, 5 Mallard, 6 Cormorants, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Linnets.

Salsify in flower

Marc Heath was also out this morning and his highlights were 2 Nightingales at Shuart and 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Tree Pipit at Chamber's Wall.

May 17th
On an overcast morning we walked round the Shuart area and on to the sea at Plumpudding where the tide was a long way out. We recorded 2 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Cuckoos, including a hepatic female, 8 Swifts W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Jay, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Reed Warblers, 12 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Linnets. There was also a Nightingale singing at the Wagtail bridge on our way home.
A Red Kite alarmed the local Herring Gulls as it flew over our garden at Bishopstone at 1050.

May 16th
On another lovely morning we walked the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall loop and counted 6 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Swallows W, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 11 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Linnets. 

Grey Plovers and Yellow Wagtail

May 15th
On a glorious morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 4 Mute Swans, 3 Barnacle Geese flying E, 3 Shelduck, 1 Mallard, 8 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Partridges, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 15 Swallows W, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Reed Warblers, 17 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcaps and 11 Linnets.

Bar-tailed Godwit

In addition Derek Smith had a Red Kite flying over Netherhale and later one flew W over our garden at Bishopstone.

Red Kite harassed by Carrion Crow

May 14th
Matt was out early and walked round Shuart where he saw 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Swifts W, 32 Swallows W, 9 House Martins W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Nightingale, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler singing, 4 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.
Later we met Matt at Reculver and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour with hirundines still moving through. We saw 2 Mallard, 15 Gannets W, 6 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Little Owl, 14 Swifts W, 160 Swallows W, 21 House Martins, 6 Sand Martins, 11 Yellow Wagtails W, 1 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet and 1 Corn Bunting. We also found a Wall Brown sunning itself on the Roman walls at Reculver.

Wall Brown

Derek Smith was also out early and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall along the railway embankment and then back via Potten Street. He saw 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Turtle Dove SW, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Nightingale, 4 Reed Warblers, 26 Sedge Warblers, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and 8 Blackcaps.
Terry Wilson birded from Minnis Bay to Reculver and counted 3 Shelduck, 3 Gannets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Swifts W, 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Wheatears.
Whilst Clive Earl was working at Reculver he had a male Hen Harrier fly past.

May 13th
With a light westerly breeze blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall there was a steady trickle of hirundines flying W and NW. At 0905 whilst at Coldharbour a group of ten or fifteen Swallows and House Martins flew along the beach and within the group was a fine Red-rumped Swallow (155). This is only the third record of this species for the area.
Other birds seen during the morning included 4 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 6 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Common Terns, 11 Swifts W, 92 Swallows W, 56 House Martins W, 6 Sand Martins W, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 12 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Linnets and 9 Corn Buntings.

Male Wheatear

Terry Wilson was also out later this morning and walking from Minnis Bay along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and back saw 3 Shelduck, a Mallard with 5 ducklings, 1 Gannet, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, lots of Swallows, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, lots of juvenile Starlings at Plumpudding and 1 Corn Bunting.

May 12th
On a much more pleasant morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 4 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 8 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 2 Hobbies, 13 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 5 Redshank, 9 Sanderling, 1 Swift W, 10 Swallows W, 2 House Martins W, 3 Sand Martins W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Linnets and 1 singing Corn Bunting.

Male Pied Wagtail

May 11th
On yet another very windy morning we walked around the Shuart area and then out to the sea. We recorded 6 Mallard, 5 Cormorants, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Swifts W, 10 House Martins W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Wheatear, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Sedge Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting.

Wheatear

May 10th
We chickened out of walking along the seawall this morning due to the gale force SW wind and rain however we spent forty minutes seawatching  from the car park at Reculver and counted 2 Shelduck, 41 Sandwich Terns E, 92 Swifts W, 29 Swallows W and 124 House Martins W.
Even though the sun came out this afternoon it was even windier than this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and it was as much as we could do to stay upright on the seawall. We saw 4 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 2 Kestrels, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 21 Turnstone feeding on small crabs, 1 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo, 21 Swifts W, 3 House Martins W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroats and 1 Corn Bunting.

Turnstone

May 9th
On a very blustery morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 5 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 11 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 8 Oystercatchers, 10 Ringed Plovers, 5 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 8 Sanderling, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Little Tern, 2 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Kingfisher, 27 Swifts W, 28 Swallows W, 2 House Martins W, 1 Sand Martin, 10 Yellow Wagtails W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 2 Whitethroats and 1 singing Corn Bunting.

Common Tern

Terry Wilson was also out this morning walking at Grenham and Minnis Bays and the railway embankment and recorded 3 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern and 4 Yellow Wagtails. He also found an Oystercatcher with a deformed bill at Grenham Bay.

Oystercatcher with deformed bill

May 8th
On a wet and windy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall and were rewarded when a very smart Roseate Tern (154) flew W close inshore with a Common Tern giving an excellent chance for us to study the difference in structure and details of its bill and plumage.
Other birds we saw included 7 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrines, 1 Hobby out at sea probably hunting migrating hirundines, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 128 Swifts W in an hour, 23 Swallows W, 24 House Martins W, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 6 Reed Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Linnets.

Sandwich Terns

After leaving us Matt spent half an hour at the Towers and saw 1 Common Scoter flying E, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Terns, 14 Sandwich Terns, 81 Swifts W, 21 Swallows W, 47 House Martins W and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
This afternoon a walk at Shuart produced 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 78 Swifts W, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Nightingale, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Whitethroats and 1 Chiffchaff.

May 7th
On a bright and breezy morning, with a trickle of Swifts and hirundines flying W, we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 4 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 12 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Hobby flying out to sea, 11 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls W, 6 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 33 Swifts W, 64 Swallows W, 30 House Martins W, 2 Sand Martins, 4 Pied Wagtails, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Linnets.

Summer plumaged Dunlin

May 6th
This morning with an increasing SW wind blowing in light showers Matt walked from Shuart to Reculver and recorded 9 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 1 male Eider, 6 Gannets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 19 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 6 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 1 Greeenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Common Terns, 32 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove (153) at Shuart, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker,  19 Swifts W, 13 Swallows W, 6 Sand Martins, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Wheatears, 1 Nightingale, 19 Reed Warblers, 29 Sedge Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 18 Whitethroats,, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs.
We met Matt at Reculver and then drove over to Chamber's Wall and walked out to the sea and added 4 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Shelduck, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 25 Swifts W, 9 Swallows W, 9 House Martins W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Reed Warblers, 12 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Linnets and 2 Corn Buntings.

Singing male Sedge Warbler

May 5th
The sun was shining brightly and there was a gentle southerly breeze as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour this morning. It is still relatively quiet but we did see 4 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 14 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Reed Warblers, 15 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 13 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 6 Linnets. We also saw a Hairy Dragonfly.

Female Tufted Duck

This morning at Grenham Bay, Terry Wilson found 3 Eider, 2 males and 1 female, and 4 Common Terns and at Minnis Bay there were 5 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 20 Sanderling and 2 Wheatears.

May 4th
It was calm and sunny this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and then visited Reculver on the way home. We recorded 3 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Cormorants, 1 Hobby, 1 Grey Partridge, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Nightingale, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Reed Warblers, 14 Sedge Warblers, 16 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 7 Linnets.

Male Whitethroat

May 3rd
On a very quiet morning with a cool NE breeze blowing and the tide out we walked from Reculver along the seawall and saw 7 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 7 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Swallows W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and 6 Linnets.

Woodpigeon

Marc Heath was also out this morning and saw 3 Eider, 1 Little Tern and 1 Grasshopper Warbler. He also found 2 Red-eyed Damselflies and 30+ Blue Damselflies near Reculver.

May 2nd
On an unpleasant morning for birding with a fresh NE wind blowing in off the sea and the tide a long way out there wasn't much to be seen as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We saw 4 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Swallows, 3 Reed Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Linnets.

Male Marsh Harrier

May 1st
May began with heavy rain and we got soaked as we walked from Reculver to the Wanstum outflow. We managed to see 1 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 7 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 7 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 28 Sand Martins, 71 Swallows, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 6 Linnets.

Little Egret

While we were doing this Matt and Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall and recorded 4 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Fulmar, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 2 singing Nightingales, at Shuart and the Wagtail bridge, 5 Reed Warblers, 9 Sedge Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 17 Whitethroats and 2 Chiffchaffs.