April 30th
The last day of April dawned sunny with a fresh SW breeze. We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 2 Pied Wagtails, 5 Sandwich Terns, 19 Linnets W, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Cormorants, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel W, 18 Swallows W, 2 Swifts W, 4 Redshank, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 22 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Cuckoos including a hepatic female, 5 Common Terns, 1 Mallard, 2 Sand Martins W, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Wheatears, 8 Sedge Warblers, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Owl, 8 Turnstone, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Little Egrets and 2 Shelduck.
We also met David Barnes who had arrived before us and had seen a Little Ringed Plover on the beach.

Turnstone

April 29th
On a very blustery morning we completed our usual walk and recorded 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 18 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 16 Linnets, 5 Swallows, 4 Golden Plovers, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Lapwings, 5 Cormorants, 10 Sedge Warblers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Mallard, 8 Goldfinches W, 43 Oystercatchers, 4 Sandwich Terns W, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 7 Coot, 3 Wheatears, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Turnstone, 2 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron and 32 Sand Martins.

Male Northern Wheatear

April 28th
On a similar morning to yesterday but with a SW wind blowing instead of NE we did our usual walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and inland. We counted 21 Whitethroats, 16 Linnets, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoos, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Garden Warblers having a vocal contest, 11 Mallard, 4 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 12 Goldfinches W, 18 Swallows W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Turnstone, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Coot, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 25 Sand Martins and 1 Green Woodpecker.
Derek Smith was also out this morning at 0600 and spent four hours walking from Shuart to the seawall, on to Chamber's Wall and back along the railway embankment. He saw 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Sandwich Terns W, 120 Swallows W, 8 House Martins W, 3 Yellow Wagtails W, 36 Meadow Pipits W, 74 Goldfinches W, 31 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 28 Sedge Warblers,3 Reed Warblers, 4 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Wheatear.

Male Yellow Wagtail

April 27th
On a cool, blustery but sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 19 Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 21 Linnets, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Sedge Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 30 Swallows, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Reed Warblers, 8 Coot, 12 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 2 Gadwall, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Mute Swans, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Gannet E, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Turnstone, 3 Common Terns, 3 Greenshank, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Tufted Duck, 10 Sand Martins, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels and 1 Garden Warbler.

Ringed Plover

April 26th
As forecast there was an overnight change in the weather so that as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Reculver there was a fresh and cool NE breeze blowing heavy drizzle in off the sea. We managed to see 5 Blackcaps, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Reed Warblers, 8 Mute Swans, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift (154th), 30 Sand Martins, 1 Garden Warbler, 15 Swallows, 1 Gannet E, 11 Sandwich Terns E, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 migrant Song Thrushes, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Merlin, 12 Shelduck, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Mallard, 1 male Whinchat, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Sedge Warblers, 4 Dunlin, 1 Shoveler, 2 Curlew, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Little Egret, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Tern and 1 Hobby.
Between 0600 and 1000 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and Potten Street. Birds he counted included 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hobby W, 1 Merlin W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Blackcaps, 33 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 27 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Willow Warblers.

April 25th
This morning Matt arrived at Reculver before us and walked round the area and recorded a male Common Redstart, a male Channel Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 60 Sand Martins and 1 Wheatear.
 We then drove over to Chamber's Wall and walked back to Reculver seeing 3 Blackcaps, 29 Swallows W, 7 Whitethroats, 5 Wheatears, 12 Linnets, 11 Sedge Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Ring Ouzels, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Yellow Wagtails W, 2 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 8 Redshank, 6 Common Terns E, 1 Whimbrel, 17 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Turnstone, 2 Shoveler, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Little Owl.
Back at Reculver the three of us walked inland and simultaneously identified a Red-rumped Swallow (152nd) flying around with 60 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows and 10 House Martins. Matt managed to shoot off a few photos in the very dull conditions of this the fourth Red-rumped Swallow for the area.

Red-rumped Swallow

 Other birds seen on our walk included 1 Shelduck, 1 Jay, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 6 Coot, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler (153rd), 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Mute Swans and 16 Tufted Duck.
I received a phone call from David Barnes at 1200 to say, that unaware of our sighting, he had just had a Red-rumped Swallow fly W at Bishopstone with 4 Swallows. I would imagine it was almost certainly the same bird we saw earlier.

April 24th
With the wind moving from NE to SW overnight it was much warmer this morning and good numbers of migrants had appeared as we walked at Shuart this morning. We saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 13 Blackcaps, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Whitethroats, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Jay, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Sedge Warblers, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 House Martin, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Snipe, 5 Swallows, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Eider, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Linnets, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Lapwing, 1 Whinchat (150th), 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Hobby (151st).
We then visited Minnis Bay where Andy Luckhurst had seen an adult Yellow-legged Gull earlier but without success but we did see 2 Fulmars and 5 Sandwich Terns.
At 1140 2 Red Kites drifted W over our garden.
This afternoon we walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 12 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Greenshank, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Whimbrel and 2 Wheatears.

Bar-tailed Godwit

April 23rd
Matt was out early and walked around the Reculver area recording 2 male Ring Ouzels, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Little Owl, 9 Sand Martins, 6 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Jays, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallows, 2 Song Thrushes and 1 Cuckoo.
We met Matt at Reculver at 0750 and drove to Chamber's Wall before walking back to Reculver. We saw 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 38 Swallows, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 House Martins W, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Gadwall, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Mallard, 9 Mute Swans, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Eider, 8 Little Terns E (149th)  at Coldharbour, 1 Cuckoo, 22 Oystercatchers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egrets W at sea, 4 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Fulmar W, 8 Linnets, 5 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Kestrels.

Mistle Thrush

April 22nd
With an easterly breeze still blowing we walked the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall loop before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. Birds seen included 4 Blackcaps, 18 Sedge Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 24 Linnets, 11 Mute Swans, 9 Mallard, 18 Oystercatchers, 9 Swallows W, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Shoveler, 7 Cormorants, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard and 8 Sand Martins.




Drake Mallard

Mark Chidwick and Derek Smith were also out this morning and Mark found a female Pied Flycatcher (147th) at Chamber's Wall and Derek found a singing Grasshopper Warbler (148th) at Shuart.



Grasshopper Warbler - Marc Heath



April 21st
On yet another beautiful, cloudless morning we visited various sites at Reculver and then had a walk at Chamber's Wall. We saw 10 Swallows W, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Curlew, 20 Linnets, 58 Sand Martins excavating holes at the Reculver colony, 1 Kestrel, 4 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Mallard, 6 Whitethroats, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Coot, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Sedge Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 male "Greenland" Wheatear.

Whitethroat

April 20th
This morning we completed the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall circuit with Anne walking clockwise and me walking the opposite way. On a beautiful sunny morning between us we saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 17 Sedge Warblers, 12 Swallows W, 12 Linnets, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 9 Cormorants,1 Fulmar W, 10 displaying Shelduck in Coldharbour, 8 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Terns (145th), 1 Curlew, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Corn Buntings, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 4 Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Sand Martins, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 House Martin.

Displaying Shelduck

Barry Hunt was also out this morning and saw a Red Kite at Chamber's Wall and a Reed Warbler (146th) at Reculver and in addition 1 Wheatear, 3 Whimbrel W, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on the beach, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 1 Cuckoo calling at the bottom of Shuart Lane.

Red Kite



April 19th
It was overcast this morning with less wind as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before visiting Reculver. We saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 19 Linnets, 8 Sedge Warblers, 5 Mallard, 6 Mute Swans, 21 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Swallows, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Common Buzzard.
Marc Heath was also out on the Marsh this morning and in addition saw 1 Turtle Dove (144th) and 2 Ring Ouzels.

April 18th
Almost the first bird we saw as we walked away from the car park at Chamber'sWall was a Great White Egret (142nd) flying east past the White Poplars against a brisk NE wind. Unfortunately it didn't stop. This was the fourth record for the area and the fifth bird. Other birds we saw on a blustery but sunny morning were 7 Mallard, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Swallows, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 8 Sedge Warblers, 5 Redshank, 27 Oystercatchers, 1 summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit, 14 Mute Swans, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck, 10 Linnets, the first 2 Lesser Whitethroats (143rd) of the year, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck and 1 Grey Heron.

Summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit

April 17th
It wasn't a very exciting morning with a cool gusty E wind blowing as we walked to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We saw 2 Blackcaps, 5 Goldfinches, 2 Whitethroats, 12 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 14 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 5 Coot, 1 Sedge Warbler, 22 Oystercatchers, 8 Redshank, 5 Cormorants, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Golden Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Scoter E, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Tufted Duck and 2 Swallows. There were also 20 Sand Martins beginning to excavate holes at the Reculver colony.

April 16th
With the weather reverting to a normal April morning with sunshine and a cool ENE breeze we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 1 Common Redstart, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Linnets, 5 Sedge Warblers, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Shoveler, 5 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Redshank, 42 Turnstone, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 7 Mallard, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Swallows, 1 Little Grebe, 16 Tufted Duck and 1 Green Woodpecker.
This morning Micky Baldock had a Firecrest singing briefly at Bishopstone Glen.

April 15th
The very warm weather continues. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland shedding clothes as we went! We saw 37 Linnets, 5 Shelduck, 9 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 7 Goldfinches, 13 Mute Swans, 36 Turnstone, 8 Mallard, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 3 alba Wagtails W, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Eider, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Whimbrel W (140th), 7 Sedge Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 24 Sanderling, 2 Wheatears, 14 Golden Plovers, 1 Swallow W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flycatching, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Ducks and 4 Coot.

Sedge Warbler

As we got home we received a text from Micky Baldock to say that he had found a singing Nightingale (141st) at Bishopstone Glen, 200 metres from our back garden. We just about heard it when we arrived and also saw 20 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Sedge Warbler. On our return home a Red Kite flew W over our garden.

April 14th
On another fantastic spring morning we again walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland and recorded 7 Chiffchaffs, 31 Linnets W, 8 Sedge Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Shoveler, 10 Redshank, 11 Goldfinches W, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Mallard, 48 Turnstone, 1 Swallow W, 4 Sanderling, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Sand Martins W, 2 Kestrel, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot and 1 Pochard.

Part of the flock of Turnstone at Coldharbour

I received two calls at about 0930, the second from Derek Smith, to say that he had just had a Hoopoe (139th) fly E straight over his head at Shuart flying nonstop onto and past Netherhale. The first call, a few minutes before had been from Julian Perry who had just spoken to Brian Chapman at the White Poplars who said he had just had a Hoopoe fly E past him towards Shuart. Obviously the same bird. This is the 13th record for Reculver Marshes and the first since May 2008.
Other birds seen by Derek at Shuart and Plumpudding included 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 2 Swallows W, 15 Sedge Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 22 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler.

April 13th
On another beautiful spring morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 2 Blackcaps, 17 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Shoveler, 14 Shelduck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Gadwall, 7 Mute Swans, 42 Turnstone, 11 Redshank, 11 Mallard, 2 Ring Ouzels on bushes by Coldharbour which flew towards Shuart, 9 Goldfinches, 7 Common Scoter, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sanderling, 1 Wheatear, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 4 Coot and 1 Little Grebe.

Oystercatchers pairing up

This morning Alex and Julian Perry walked the Shuart, Brooksend, Plumpudding loop. Birds seen included 2 Canada Geese (138th), 40 Mute Swans, 6 Shelducks, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Eiders, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Greenfinches and 2 Goldfinches.

Barry Hunt also visited the area and started out in Shuart at 0630 and walked the embankment towards Reculver, noting the female Common Redstart (135th) flycatching and moving west up the embankment. Also single Ring Ouzel and 3 Whitethroats along this stretch of the embankment. Ring Ouzels seen were two at the eastern end of the Oyster Farm before heading off east, with three still in the old caravan park and the earlier one at Shuart, a minimum of 6 in the area. He also saw two more in the Oyster Farm on the way home but whether or not these were fresh arrivals he cannot say. Final totals were 1 female Common Redstart, 6 Ring Ouzel, 4 Whitethroat, 14 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Northern Wheatear, 1 Greenshank (136th)  in the Oyster Farm then flew west, 1 Little Owl in the caravan park, 2 Kestrel, 20+ Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warbler, 12 singing Sedge Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sandwich Terns (137th) east, 3 Common Scoter offshore, 29 Swallow west, c30 Sand Martins in the colony + 4 west and 1 Little Egret. He did spend 7 hours though.

 

Ring Ouzel

 

April 12th
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding between 0700 and 0930 and saw 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 23 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo (134th), 2 Sparrowhawks, 32 Meadow Pipits W and 14 Stock Doves W.
Anne walked from Bishopstone to Reculver this morning and counted 14 Shelduck prospecting on the cliffs, 28 Sand Martins, 1 singing Corn Bunting, 6 pairs of Skylark, 1 Kestrel and 2 Chiffcaffs.
I couldn't get out until after lunch when Anne and I walked inland from Reculver and then at Shuart. At Reculver we saw 9 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Little Grebes, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 4 Coot, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Ring Ouzels.
At Shuart we saw 3 Blackcaps,  4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 4 Linnets, 1 Jay, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Little Grebes.

Ring-necked Parakeet

April 11th
There was a change in the weather this morning with a moderate SW wind blowing in a few spits and spots of rain. We walked from Reculver and around the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 4 Swallows W, 16 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 56 Linnets W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Sand Martins W, 5 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 9 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Owl, 1 Tree Pipit W (131st), 1 Green Woodpecker,  3 male Ring Ouzels (132nd) found by David Barnes in the old caravan site and 1 Fieldfare.

Male Ring Ouzels

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0630 and 0900 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend. He recorded 7 Blackcaps, 17 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows W, 3 singing Corn Buntings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Lapwings, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Shelduck and 6 Teal.
Julian Perry had our first singing Sedge Warbler (133rd) near Coldharbour this morning and Micky Baldock had another Whitethroat at Hillborough..

April 10th
The fog was not so dense this morning and cleared more quickly as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back inland. We saw 29 Linnets, 1 Blackcap (129th), 7 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Wheatears, 17 Redshank, 20 Mallard, 38 Oystercatchers, 25 Turnstone, 1 Goldfinch, 7 Shelduck, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Swallows W, 1 Little Egret, 4 Sanderling, 1 Green Sandpiper, 24 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Coot, 1 Pochard and 2 Little Grebes.
As I was writing this blog the local Herring Gulls started getting agitated and another 3 Red Kites flew W.
Marc Heath cycled down to Reculver and had 2 Yellow Wagtails (130th) flying over the Visitors' Centre.

Male Wheatear

April 9th
The overnight fog was slow to lift as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. Birds I saw included 14 Swallows, 6 Goldfinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Linnets, 6 Gadwall, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 9 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot and 1 House Martin (128th) .
On the cliff top at Bishopstone Anne found 4 Swallows flying W, 2 Chiffchaffs and 4 Shelduck prospecting for nest sites on the cliffs.
This afternoon Terry Wilson had a male Red-breasted Merganser at Grenham Bay flying W towards Reculver.

Male Reed Bunting in territory

April 8th
On another lovely morning we walked along the seawall around the Oyster Farm and then inland. We recorded 6 Goldfinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 12 Oystercatchers, 27 Redshank, 4 Shelduck, 6 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Mallard, 19 Sanderling, 18 Linnets, 1 Egyptian Goose flying W (126th), 2 Curlew, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Sand Martins W, 11 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Willow Warbler singing (127th).
At 1100 a group of 9 Red Kites and 3 Common Buzzards drifted west over Hillborough and Bishopstone.

April 7th
On a superb spring morning I hoped for some migrants but it was relatively quiet as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and then had a look at Reculver. We saw 8 Linnets W, 1 Firecrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Corn Bunting, 12 Chaffinches, 4 Mute Swans, 9 Mallard, 14 Redshank, 2 Gadwall, 22 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 24 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 7 Golden Plovers, 3 Goldfinches and 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
At Reculver we counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Owl and 1 Swallow W.
This morning Julian Perry found a Black Redstart by the Oyster Farm and at lunchtime a Red Kite (125th) flew W over our gardens at Bishopstone.
This afternoon Anne and I walked round Shuart and saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 18 "alba" Wagtails including 2 smart male White Wagtails feeding on a newly sown field, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwings, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Red-legged Partridges.

Male Chaffinch

April 6th
This morning the sun was shining brightly with a light breeze from the west blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour, returning along the Green Wall. We saw 2 Grey Herons, 14 Mute Swans, 7 Goldfinches W, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Mallard, 1 Golden Plover, 10 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 54 Oystercatchers, 56 Sanderling, 11 Goldfinches W, 1 Greenfinch W, 4 Linnets W, 2 Swallows W, 2 Redshank, 8 Gadwall, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot  and 1 Sand Martin W (124th).
This afternoon Nick Hando and his family wandered from Shuart down to the railway line, then along the track via Wade Farm back to Shuart. Not much to report, but 15 Swallows flew W in small groups, Shuart held 4 singing Chiffchaffs and 4 noisy Green Woodpeckers, and a late winter flock of 45 Linnets at Wade plus a pair of Mute Swans on a nest with 3 eggs.

April 5th
At last the wind had died down as we walked around the Reculver area this morning and saw 11 Linnets, 2 Marsh Harriers flying W out at sea, 36 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Coots.
We then drove over to Shuart where we walked around the droves meeting Derek Smith in the process. Between us we saw 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Mute Swans and 10 Common Buzzards.
Marc Heath found a Black Redstart on the seawall by the Oyster Farm this morning.

April 4th
This morning a fresh northerly wind was blowing drizzle in off the sea as we completed the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall loop. We recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 22 Linnets, 19 Mallard, 14 Redshank, 24 Oystercatchers, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Grey Plovers, 11 Sanderling, 22 Turnstone, 2 Shoveler, 9 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck and 6 Gadwall.
Nick Hando is at Minnis Bay for the weekend and walked from Grenham Bay to Herne Bay this afternoon. Not much about but the following was seen, Swallow - a group of 6 zapped west around 2pm desperately seeking a warmer location, Brent Geese - 5 on Coldharbour, Grey Plover - 9 on the roost at Coldharbour, Sanderling - 35 as above, Shoveler - a pair on Coldharbour, Mediterranean Gull - a first winter cruised slowly east, Shelduck - 10, mostly at the Oyster Farm
Rock Pipit - 2 at Grenham both looked to be 'petrosus', and one of them gave a brief burst of song to brighten up the dull afternoon

April 3rd
On a rainy morning we visited a couple of sites at Reculver and one at Shuart and saw 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 30 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays and 1 Greenfinch.

One of ten Goldfinches on our garden feeders

April 2nd
It was an uneventful morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. We recorded 1 Grey Heron, 10 Linnets, 2 Shoveler, 8 Redshank, 12 Mallard, 36 Oystercatchers, 2 Teal, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Coots.
At lunchtime Micky Baldock saw 3 Swallows fly W past the Towers.

April 1st
The month began as March had finished with an extremely blustery westerly wind. We walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and did not see a great deal, just 4 Goldfinches, 112 Cormorants, 4 Meadow Pipits, 1 Turnstone, 43 Linnets W, 4 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 5 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Gadwall, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 7 Tufted Duck. Matt also had 2 Redwings and 3 Chiffchaffs at Shuart as he drove over to meet us.
This evening Marc Heath found 4 Swallows (123rd) south of Reculver.