March 31st
There were few migrants to be seen this morning as I walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons and then inland although there was a steady flow of Black-headed Gulls flying high east. Other birds seen included 9 Goldfinches, 33 Mute Swans, 30 Linnets, 9 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 10 Mallard, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Swallow W, 3 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 11 Redshank, 58 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Sand Martin. 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Male Reed Bunting

March 30th
After overnight showers and with the sun shining brightly this morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. I saw 10 Mallard, 16 Linnets, 2 Cormorants, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Goldfinches, 12 migrant Song Thrushes taking off from bushes beside the Wantsum and flying W, 9 Skylarks singing, 2 Shelduck, 15 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 14 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 2 Greylag Geese W along the shore, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sanderling, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Swallows W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Lapwings, 11 Chiffchaffs, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Coot, 2 Teal, 1 Gadwall and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Singing Chiffchff

Male Reed Bunting

March 29th
On a sunny but windy morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded a decent range of species including 4 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 12 Sanderling, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Linnets W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Mute Swans, 27 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 2 Wheatears, 7 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Cormorants, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 10 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Swallow W, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal and 3 Sand Martins.

Male Northern Wheatear

March 28th
With Storm Katie battering the area with 60-70 mph winds this morning I rather optimistically tried birding at Reculver but gave up because I could hardly stand up. All I saw were 200 Woodpigeons, 3 Pied Wagtails, 33 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall and our wintering Blackcap singing in our garden when I reached home.
I later had a text from Terry Wilson to say he had just seen a Swallow flying W at Grenham.

March 27th
On an increasingly windy and very showery morning I visited various sites at Reculver and counted 6 Goldfinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Swallow W, 10 Chiffchaffs,  Shelduck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 300 Woodpigeons, 2 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Back at home the wintering Blackcap was again singing in our back garden.

Wintering male Blackcap

Nick Hando and his family were visiting Minnis for Easter and they walked from Minnis Bay to Beresford in a torrential downpour yesterday afternoon. The appalling conditions clearly forced a few tired migrants down, as they saw a male Black Redstart hunting for food on the promende, a Chiffchaff singing from clifftop bushes and a Purple Sandpiper (127th) on one of the groynes with a small party of Turnstones. They also found a few small pieces of amber on the beach.

Amber - Nick Hando

This evening Julian Perry found our first Wheatear (128th) on top of the cliffs between Bishopstone and Reculver.

March 26th
An unpleasant and blustery morning began with the wintering male Blackcap in our garden again. I then visited Reculver and saw 2 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Tufted Ducks, 3 Gadwall and 200 Woodpigeons.
After this I moved on to Chamber's Wall and walked out to a windy Coldharbour and recorded 20 Cormorants, 12 Chaffinches, 12 Mallard, 2 Lapwings displaying, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 28 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers and 6 Linnets. Not very inspiring!

March 25th
After overnight rain the morning gradually became sunnier as we walked around various sites at Reculver. We recorded 20 Chaffinches, 1 immature male Black Redstart singing around the Towers, 38 Mute Swans, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 7 Sanderling, 3 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Mallard, 14 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 4 Ringed Plovers, 35 Redwings, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Green Sandpipers, 400 Woodpigeons, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Gadwall, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Common Buzzard.

Woodpigeon

Micky Baldock had 2 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow at Reculver this afternoon and we had another Red Kite fly over the garden at about 1430.
Also this afternoon Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and counted 3 Red Kites, 16 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Merlin  , 4 Grey Herons, 119 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Sparrowhawks, 4 Chiffchaffs and 4 Cetti's Warblers.

March 24th
As I was eating my breakfast 45 Redwings flew W over our garden and later the wintering male Blackcap was singing.
I met Matt at Reculver at 0800 and we walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons before walking inland. We recorded 25 Fieldfares, 20 Chaffinches, 35 Redwings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 8 Mallard, 9 Shelduck, 7 Pied Wagtails, 13 Oystercatchers, 2 Fulmars, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 23 Redshank, 5 Cormorants, 1 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Dunlin, 77 Golden Plovers, 3 Sand Martins (125th), 3 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl, 1 Peregrine, 500 Woodpigeons, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Siskins W, 3 Common Buzzards circling with 1 Red Kite and 2 Goldcrests.

Fulmar

Derek Smith was also out between 0730 and 1100 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour. Birds he recorded included 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 9 Song Thrushes, 37 Blackbirds, 480 Redwings, 220 Fieldfares, 18 Pied Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Black Redstart at the Stables, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Stonechats, 42 Chaffinches W, 2 Siskins W and 1 Yellowhammer W.
Marc Heath also had a Red Kite over Reculver School at 1200.
We managed a quick walk at Shuart this afternoon just before the rain arrived and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Redwings, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Woodcock and 1 Fieldfare.
Anthea Skiffington saw a Swallow (126th) just east of the Towers this morning. She also had 6 Sand Martins over the cliffs towards Bishopstone and the Black Redstart (again, just east of the Towers).
Nick Keem found a Great Northern Diver offshore at Bishopstone.

March 23rd
I started and finished at Reculver this morning and in between walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. It was relatively quiet but I did manage to see 6 Goldfinches, 7 Shelduck, 36 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Mallard, 18 Chaffinches, 38 Cormorants, 21 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 2 Lapwings, 14 Golden Plovers, 8 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swans, 32 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Mallard looking for a nest site

March 22nd
The day started well when Anne heard the male Long-eared Owl calling at about 0400.
It turned out to be a stunning, sunny morning so I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 13 Magpies, including a flock of 11 flying in off the sea over the Towers, 2 Goldfinches, 49 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull, 6 Ringed Plovers, 20 Redshank, 12 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 8 Mallard, 18 Turnstone, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Linnets, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Curlew, 3 Lapwings, 18 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat and 1 Black Redstart on the rocks by the car park.
Earlier Julian Perry found an Avocet (124th) in Coldharbour but it had flown away by the time I arrived.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He recorded 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Curlews, 66 Sanderling, 36 Fieldfares, 18 Song Thrushes in bushes beside the seawall and railway embankment, 1 Rock Pipit, 43 Chaffinches W and 7 Corn Buntings.

Black Redstart

March 21st
On a calm morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Greylag Goose, 116 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Little Owl, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Linnets, 10 Mallard, 12 Ringed Plovers, 13 Redshank, 41 Cormorants, 39 Oystercatchers, 7 Shelduck, 2 male Red-breasted Mergansers flying W and then back E, 3 Turnstones, 1 Peregrine and 1 Curlew.

Male Red-breasted Mergansers

March 20th
It was another dull morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 66 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 38 Cormorants, 72 Golden Plovers, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Snipe, 33 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Dunlins, 2 Red-throated Divers, 71 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlews, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 99 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Goldfinches, 9 Tufted Ducks and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Little Egret

March 19th
On another dull, overcast and drizzly morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Common Buzzard, 19 Mallard, 16 Cormorants, 224 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Fieldfares, 1 Little Egret, 16 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 45 Linnets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 66 Mute Swans, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Red Kite flying over Brook Farm and on to Bishopstone.

Adult Red Kite in the murk

March 18th
There was a chilly NE wind blowing in drizzle as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 2 Goldfinches, 24 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 75 Golden Plovers, 312 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 1 Woodcock disturbed from bushes on top of the Roman Wall at Reculver, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Ringed Plovers, 11 Mallard, 78 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Dunlin, 2 Curlews, 1 Turnstone, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Rock Pipit.

Redshank

March 17th
On a lovely sunny morning we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding Lagoon and saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Common Scoter E, 38 Oystercatchers, 17 Grey Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 80 Golden Plovers, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 14 Magpies, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Common Buzzard.
This afternoon a walk inland from Reculver produced 1 Jay, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mallard, 4 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Little Egret, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Sparrowhawk.

March 16th
With a brisk NE wind still blowing we walked around the Oyster Farm and then inland. Birds we saw included 2 Goldfinches, 168 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Sanderling, 40 Golden Plovers, 12 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 8 Shelduck, 16 Oystercatchers, 8 Mallard, 2 Green Sandpipers, 18 Cormorants, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Tufted Ducks, 4 Teal, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
The male Blackcap also visited our garden feeders again.

March 15th
On a less windy morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall and saw 81 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 10 Chaffinches, 6 Skylarks, 9 Fieldfares, 1 Little Egret, 8 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 142 Golden Plovers, 7 Mallard, 35 Oystercatchers, 177 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sanderling, 17 Carrion Crows, 2 Curlews, 5 Grey Plovers, 5 Linnets, 1 Shelduck, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Tufted Ducks and 1 Chiffchaff.

Golden Plovers

March 14th
With an eye-watering ENE wind blowing I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning and saw 4 Goldfinches, 335 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Sanderling, 22 Cormorants, 5 Mute Swans, 5 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 37 Oystercatchers, 12 Mallard, 8 Shelduck, 3 Curlews, 146 Golden Plovers, 900 Woodpigeons, 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Teal and 1 Chiffchaff.

Today I received recovery information from the BTO of a Chiffchaff we ringed at Reculver on 28th September 2014. It was controlled on 21st October 2015 at Palomares del Rio, Sevilla, SPAIN and had flown 1,664 km SSW.

Chiffchaff

March 13th
It was another uneventful morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. I saw 10 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Cormorants, 6 Shelduck, 10 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Golden Plover, 51 Oystercatchers, 124 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Ringed Plovers, 54 Mute Swans, 6 Linnets, 14 Chaffinches, 11 Skylarks, 18 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Tufted Duck and 2 Teal.
This afternoon the male Blackcap visited our garden feeders again.

Male Blackcap

March 12th
This morning with the tide miles out I walked up to Coldharbour in fog and returned in sunshine until I reached the Towers where the fog began rolling in off the sea again. I managed to see or hear 28 Redshank, 10 Ringed Plovers, 8 Mallard, 5 Grey Plovers, 61 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 8 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks singing, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Teal, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 12 Reed Buntings and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Feral Pigeon setting up territory in the Towers

March 11th
As the mist cleared this morning we walked at Shuart and Reculver. At Shuart we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Linnets, 1 Mistle Thrush, 26 Chaffinches, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Goldcrests, 5 Skylarks, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Lapwings, 23 Song Thrushes, 9 Mallard, 1 Greenfinch and 2 Sparrowhawks.
At Reculver we counted 200 Woodpigeons, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Siskins, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Teal, 2 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Goldcrest.

March 10th
On a much more pleasant early spring morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 17 Goldfinches, 572 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 19 Redshank, 27 Cormorants, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 12 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Grebes, 25 Grey Plovers, 46 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlews, 8 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 8 Turnstone, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 9 Magpies, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Sanderling, 26 Carrion Crows, 3 Jackdaws flying E, 90 Herring Gulls W, 1 Stonechat, 24 Feral Pigeons at the Towers and 1 Rock Pipit.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He recorded 2 Marsh Harriers, 38 Sanderlings, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Bullfinches, 1 Stonechat and 8 Corn Buntings.
Julian Perry found 6 Yellowhammers at the south of the Marsh today and also a Peacock butterfly at Chamber's Wall. He also had the male and female Blackcaps visiting his garden this morning with the male being seen in our garden this afternoon.

March 9th
On a thoroughly unpleasant morning with rain and a southerly gale blowing we spent 40 minutes seawatching at Minnis Bay. There was not a great deal happening but we did see 27 Gannets, 4 Curlews, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Fulmars, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 50 Oystercatchers, 37 Cormorants and 20 Grey Plovers.
At this time of year it is difficult to know whether Chiffchaffs are over wintering birds or migrants. I always look for active birds in places I haven't seen them during the winter. This afternoon when Matt and I found two birds at Chamber's Wall, one moving along the ditch at the entrance track and the other moving rapidly along the bushes towards the railway, they seemed good candidates for our first migrants of the year.
Other birds we saw on our walk to Coldharbour included 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 34 Cormorants, 33 Mallard, 4 Dunlin, 7 Shelduck, 16 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 750 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 67 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 9 Linnets, 109 Golden Plovers, 14 Great Black-backed Gulls and 1 Goldcrest.

March 8th
On a relatively calm and cloudy morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 730 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Pied Wagtails, 44 Mute Swans, 1 Little Owl, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 8 Ringed Plovers, 12 Mallard, 39 Cormorants, 5 Shelduck, 1 Grey Plover, 11 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 13 Linnets, 3 Turnstone, 70 Oystercatchers, 30 Carrion Crows, 2 Curlews, 67 Golden Plovers and 7 Skylarks.

Ringed Plovers have begun pairing up and displaying

Matt was also out this morning and at Shuart recorded 2 Goldcrests, 7 Song Thrushes, 2 Great Spotted and 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk and at Reculver he saw 5 Tufted Ducks, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Siskins and 3 Chiffchaffs.
The female Blackcap visited our garden again at lunchtime.

March 7th
The female Blackcap was at our garden feeders again this morning.
This afternoon I walked around Shuart and visited Reculver and recorded 7 Goldfinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Greenfinches, 12 Chaffinches, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Lapwings, 3 Tufted Ducks and 3 Green Sandpipers.

March 6th
As I was eating my breakfast this morning the wintering male Blackcap was feeding on fat balls in our garden and in the afternoon a female was present.
Later with a fresh, cold WNW wind blowing and limited time I walked from Reculver to the Green Wall and back. I saw 4 Goldfinches, 28 House Sparrows at Reculver, 68 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 15 Cormorants, 11 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 25 Mallard, 7 Linnets, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull W, 1 Ringed Plover and 16 Carrion Crows.


Male House Sparrow

March 5th
After a sunny start cloud soon rolled in with a raw NW wind blowing as I wandered around Reculver this morning. Birds I saw included 2 Kestrels, 9 Chaffinches, 1 Green Sandpiper, 180 Woodpigeons, 30 Stock Doves, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shelduck W and 3 Ringed Plovers.

March 4th
Geoff Burton visited Reculver this morning and found a Great Northern Diver on the sea off Coldharbour.
On another beautiful afternoon I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and dropped in at Reculver on the way home. I saw 30 Mute Swans, 8 Cormorants, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 314 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 singing Skylarks, 8 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 54 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 7 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 7 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Red-legged Partridge.

March 3rd
Even though it was a beautiful, sunny afternoon there was not a great deal to see as I walked at Minnis Bay. I counted 90 Oystercatchers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 27 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Grey Plovers, 3 Curlews, 1 Peregrine flying in off the sea, 1 singing male Pied Wagtail, 3 Redshank and 17 Sanderling.

Curlew

Sanderling

March 2nd
Matt walked at Shuart this morning and recorded 1 Woodcock, 3 Redwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 17 Lapwings and 60 Greylag Geese.
I walked inland at Reculver at lunchtime just as the wintry weather began and managed to see 1 Common Buzzard, 20 Stock Doves, 2 Jays, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall and 1 Kingfisher.

March 1st
On a foul morning with wind and rain we made brief visits to Minnis Bay, Shuart and Reculver. We saw 4 Great Crested Grebes, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 12 Cormorants, 2 Red-throated Divers, 25 Mute Swans, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Chiffchaff.
Matt had 2 Yellowhammers at Bishopstone including a singing male.