October 31st
The last day of October dawned sunny if a little misty as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. Birds we saw included 3 Kestrels, 35 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 14 Skylarks, 32 Chaffinches, 29 Goldfinches, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 26 Reed Buntings, 67 Golden Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher, 17 Bearded Tits, 4 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 76 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 45 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 26 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 42 Carrion Crows, 10 Linnets, 2 Grey Plovers, 9 Meadow Pipits, 2 Siskins and 8 Long-tailed Tits. As we were driving home a ring-tail Hen Harrier flew across the road near Marshside and flew on towards Reculver.

Meadow Pipit

Male Bearded Tit

We met Derek Smith and Patrick Giles at Coldharbour as they walked back to Shuart. Their highlights were 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea at Minnis Bay, 4 Stonechats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Dartford Warbler still at Shuart crossing, 6 Chiffchaffs and 40 Goldcrests.
This afternoon Chris Tedder recorded not only a Great White Egret flying over the marsh between Reculver and Chamber's Wall but a Raven as well.

Great White Egret - Chris Tedder

Raven - Chris Tedder