April 30th
The last day of April dawned sunny but cool so we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 38 Mute Swans, 27 Linnets W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 18 Cormorants, 48 Swallows W, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Shelduck, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Dunlin, 1 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 13 Goldfinches, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 House Martin W, 4 Turnstone, 1 Black Redstart, 40 Sand Martins, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. We also met two birders who had seen a Common Sandpiper (157th) in the Oyster Farm.
Later I saw a Red Kite flying W at Chamber's Wall as I was looking unsuccessfully for the Wryneck (158th) seen by Jim Bloor earlier at Chamber's Wall car park. However Alex and Julian Perry and Derek Smith refound it after lunch and we had extremely good views of this often difficult to see species. We usually see this species in autumn with only eleven out of the thirty six Reculver sightings in spring.

Wryneck - Alex Perry



April 29th
On a completely different day to yesterday with a fresh, cool SW wind blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 16 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Cormorants, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Lapwing, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 16 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 20 Sand Martins, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler.

Male and female Mallard

April 28th
We had excellent weather and excellent birds this morning as we walked east from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland to Chamber's Wall and back along the railway embankment and the Oyster Farm. We saw 1 Black Redstart, 5 Pied Wagtails, 12 Swallows W, 52 Mute Swans, 34 Whitethroats, 5 Shelduck, 1 Little Owl, 51 Linnets W, 17 Turnstone, 2 Whinchats, 3 Marsh Harriers, 8 Little Egrets, 10 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 32 Goldfinches W, 7 Oystercatchers, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Gadwall, 4 Ringed Plovers, 13 Cormorants, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Swifts W, 4 Grey Partridges, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Terns (155th), 1 Whimbrel, 2 Shoveler, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 female Common Redstarts, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Hobby (156th) and 25 Sedge Warblers.

Immature Cormorant

This afternoon we walked inland from Reculver and recorded 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Mallard, 12 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Sand Martins and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
At Grenham Bay today Terry Wilson had 4 Common Scoter and at Minnis Bay he saw 3 Swallows, 1 House Martin and his first Swift this year.
This evening Julian Perry found a Red Kite flying W at Chamber's Wall.

April 27th
On another cold, sunny and blustery morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before visiting Reculver on the way home. We recorded 23 Mute Swans, 12 Mallard, 25 Whitethroats, 8 Shelduck, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, 11 Cormorants, 21 Linnets, 2 Gadwall, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 15 Sand Martins, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Reed Warblers and 2 Green Woodpeckers.
This afternoon at Shuart and Chamber's Wall we saw 2 Cuckoos, 1 female Common Redstart, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Ring Ouzel.

Male and female Shelduck

April 26th
With a cold northerly wind blowing on a sunny morning we walked at Reculver and Shuart. Birds we saw at Reculver included 4 Goldfinches, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 continental Song Thrush, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Mallard and 6 ducklings, 1 Turtle Dove, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Bramblings, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
At Shuart we found 4 Blackcaps, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Lapwings, 8 Whimbrel in from the SE, 2 Grey Herons, 1 female Common Redstart, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Jay, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

April 25th
Although the weather was miserable this morning we ended up with a good tally of species. We started and finished at Reculver and between these visits walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. At Reculver we saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 14 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 24 Sand Martins, 20 Swallows, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 House Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Bramblings, 2 Reed Warblers and 1 Red Kite W.
At Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour we had 1 Cuckoo, 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 House Martins, 1 Swallow, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 14 Linnets, 1 Marsh Harriers, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 2 Tufted Ducks.

Male Brambling

Red Kite

April 24th
I arrived at Chamber's Wall just as the early morning rain ceased although there was still a biting NW wind blowing. I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver and saw 8 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Fulmar E, 16 Sanderling, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Swallows, 11 Tufted Duck, 16 Sand Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Kestrel.

April 23rd
The cool and breezy weather with a northerly wind continued this morning as we walked at Reculver and Shuart. We recorded 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 7 Goldfinches, 9 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Mallard, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Lapwings, 2 Jays, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Red-legged Partridges, 8 Linnets, 1 male Stonechat and 18 Sand Martins.

Male and female Tufted Duck

April 22nd
On a chilly morning with a fresh NE breeze blowing in off the sea we visited Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Reculver. Birds we saw included 5 Whitethroats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Chiffchaffs, 7 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 4 Swallows W, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 7 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Goldfinches, 14 Tufted Ducks, 20 Sand Martins and 1 Common Buzzard.

Bar-tailed Godwits

April 21st
An early start could not refind the Iberian Chiffchaff at Reculver bushes so we drove to Chamber's Wall and saw 13 Linnets, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cormorants, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the rough field to the east of the White Poplars, 2 Whitethroats, 5 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 14 Tufted Ducks, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Male Wheatear buffeted by the cold NE wind

April 20th
We began the morning at Chamber's Wall and walked to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall with sun shining but a chilly easterly wind blowing. We saw 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 26 Mute Swans, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Gadwall, 23 Linnets, 1 Willow Warbler, 11 Mallard, 1 Wheatear, 3 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 33 Corn Buntings, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Cormorants, 3 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Kestrel.
We then visited Reculver and found 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 26 Sand Martins, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Coot and 1 Sparrowhawk.

At Reculver bushes this morning we initially heard and then saw a strange Chiffchaff but viewing conditions were difficult with the wind and this quick moving bird keeping on the far side of the bushes and within the foliage. Matt immediately said that he thought that it might be an IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (154th) but looking at its plumage we persuaded ourselves that it could be an atypical Siberian bird. However looking at our not very good photos back at home its plumage seemed rather too bright for Siberian and it didn't have black legs. We decided to have another look after lunch which coincided with a call from Frank Cackett also suggesting it might be an Iberian Chiffchaff.
It was still singing intermittently when we refound it but approached very closely and sang repeatedly when we played an Iberian Chiffchaff recording a couple of times. Its full song which we managed to record was "chiff-chiff-chiff-weet-weet-weet and ended with a trill but for some of the time it only sang the first parts of its song. Its call note was a very distinctive downward "see-u."
In better light this afternoon we were able to see that it was brighter than it appeared this morning and managed some not very good photos in amongst the foliage which hopefully show most of the necessary detail.
Photos 3 and 4 in the series below were taken in the morning when light conditions were not so good.
This is a new species for Reculver Marshes and if accepted by BBRC it will be number 301.

Iberian Chiffchaff

April 19th
This morning, with the sun shining brightly, we walked from Shuart Farm to Plumpudding lagoon and then visited Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Jays, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Sparrowhawks, 6 Chiffchaffs, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 13 Sedge Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Whinchat (152nd), 18 Linnets, 19 Meadow Pipits, 1 Redshank, 24 Sanderling, 5 Turnstone, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Turtle Dove (153rd) and 1 Goldcrest singing.

Male Pied Wagtail

April 18th
We had our first spring ringing session at Shuart this morning during which time we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Lapwings, 2 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Siskins, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E and calling, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Jays, 6 Greenfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 drumming Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Brambling, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Swallows, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Red-legged Partridges.

13 birds ringed: 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Song Thrush.

Derek Smith was also out walking form Shuart, along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and back along Potten Street. He recorded 6 House Martins W, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (150th), 2 Yellow Wagtails,  1 Swift W (151st) and 1 male Ring Ouzel, 14 Blackcaps, 29 Whitethroats, 21 Sedge Warblers, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers.

Grasshopper Warbler - Derek Smith

Ring Ouzel - Derek Smith

He also saw 5 species of butterfly; Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Small White and Speckled Wood.

April 17th
This morning we birded at Reculver and also walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm. We saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Little Egrets, 11 Yellow Wagtails W, 4 Willow Warblers, 57 Linnets W, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 9 Sedge Warblers, 23 Swallows, 1 Black Redstart, 7 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Mallard, 7 Mute Swans, 4 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shoveler, 4 Turnstone, 13 Goldfinches W, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk and 9 Tufted Ducks.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Earlier Marc Heath had found 3 Ruff (149th) in the Oyster Farm lagoons.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to the White Poplars and recorded 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Red Kite W, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 40 Swallows W, 12 House Martins W, 6 Yellow Wagtails W, 1 Cuckoo, 1 male Common Redstart, 9 Blackcaps, 18 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 26 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 15 Corn Buntings.

Lesser Whitethroat - Derek Smith

April 16th
As forecast it was a chilly and cloudy morning with a cool NW wind blowing. We started at Shuart and recorded 40 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 1 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lapwing, 2 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Later at Reculver we found 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 15 Swallows, 17 Sand Martins, 1 House Martin, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Whitethroat, 29 Mute Swans, 1 Teal and 1 Willow Warbler.

Male Linnet

April 15th
This morning was overcast with rain in the air as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Green Woodpecker, 31 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 13 Cormorants, 3 Pied Wagtails, 13 Swallows W, 15 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Ringed Plovers,  Redshank, 4 Sandwich Terns, 22 Oystercatchers, 4 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 8 Turnstone, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Sand Martins and 1 Whitethroat.

Sandwich Tern

April 14th
On yet another beautiful morning we completed our usual walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour before visiting Reculver on the way home. We saw 14 Sedge Warblers, 11 Cormorants, 12 Linnets, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 5 Redshank, 3 Greylag Geese flying W, 5 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows, 16 Turnstone, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Mallard, 2 male Wheatears, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Black Redstart and 14 Mute Swans.
I met Francesca Partridge on the seawall and after a chat she continued on along the railway embankment to Shuart and refound the Purple Heron south of the railway line. She also saw a Ring Ouzel and a Cuckoo.

Second winter/summer Mediterranean Gull

I was told by a birding friend that the other day he found a photographer at the Towers playing a tape trying to lure the Black Redstart even closer. I would like to point out that Black Redstarts are Schedule 1 species and it is therefore illegal to disturb them during the breeding season. This sort of action is totally unnecessary as with a bit of patience excellent views can be had.

April 13th
On another beautiful spring morning I began by walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15 Cormorants, 22 Linnets, 12 Sedge Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Mute Swans, 5 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 14 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Ringeed Plovers, 11 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Swallow.
I then drove to Reculver and found 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Black Redstarts, 1 Little Egret, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Owl, 8 Linnets and 2 Swallows.

Stonechat

Derek Smith was out at Shuart between 0830 and 1100 and recorded our first Cuckoo (148th) at Plumpudding. Other birds he saw included 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Sand Martins, 12 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 14 Sedge Warblers, 17 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Siskin.

April 12th
After yesterday's excitement today was even better. Although there were no rarities to be seen, the overnight rain had grounded a good range of migrants and what with the fantastic weather it was one of my best spring days at Reculver.
Matt and I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and round the Oyster Farm lagoons. Birds we saw included 14 Chiffchaffs, 10 alba Wagtails W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Shelduck, 8 Swallows W, 33 Sand Martins, 2 immature male Black Redstarts singing at Reculver, one at the Towers and the other from the toilet block, 15 Mute Swans, 9 Blackcaps, 16 Oystercatchers, 10 Yellow Wagtails W, 5 Wheatears, 9 Cormorants, 14 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plovers, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Short-eared Owl, 35 Linnets, 1 Tree Pipit W, 11 Mallard, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Common Redstarts, 19 Willow Warblers, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (146th), 1 Peregrine, 40 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Owl, 2 Grey Partridges, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal, 5 Ring Ouzels in a flock and 1 Greenshank (147th). This is the earliest Greenshank we have had in the area beating a bird in 2009 by one day.

Female Wheatear

This afternoon at Shuart we found 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Snipe, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Common Buzzards and 6 Song Thrushes and on our return home the Coal Tit was singing behind our garden.
Derek Smith was also out at Shuart this afternoon and walked further spending more time than us and counted 16 Blackcaps, 9 Willow Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Redstart and 1 Ring Ouzel.

April 10th
It turned out to be a very good morning. We began and ended at Reculver but in between walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. On our walk from Chamber's we saw 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaffs, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Cetti's Warblers,15 Mute Swans, 6 Mallard, 8 Redshank, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Whimbrel (143rd), 1 male Wheatear, 15 Linnets, 1 Swallow, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Tree Pipits (144th), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 21 Cormorants, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Corn Bunting.
The undoubted highlight of the morning was us disturbing an adult Purple Heron (145th) from a ditch south of Reculver. This is the thirteenth Purple Heron for Reculver. Unfortunately it flew away from us behind a line of sallows so it wasn't until it was a fair distance away I managed to take some photos. Although not very good they do show some of the most significant structural features of the bird compared to a Grey Heron, namely smaller size, bowed wings, long dagger-shaped bill and large neck bulge and feet.

Adult Purple Heron

Other birds seen included 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 4 Goldfinches, 11 Tufted Ducks, 10 Sand Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
At lunchtime Matt thought he could here a Coal Tit singing in the road behind our house so we drove round and there sitting in a conifer was a Coal Tit singing non stop.
After this we drove down to Reculver and walked around the bushes and the Towers and counted 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Goldcrest and the immature male Black Redstart still singing "fit to bust" on the Towers.
Next a walk at Shuart produced 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Lapwing, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Blackcap.

April 10th
With it being a sunny Sunday and the last day of the school holidays Reculver was soon heaving with cyclist, dogs and walkers. We only walked half way along the seawall from Reculver before walking inland to avoid the crowds and saw 1 Black Redstart singing at the Towers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 21 Mute Swans, 2 Little Owls, 17 Redshank, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Oystercatchers, 8 Linnets, 6 Sand Martins, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Cormorants, 9 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mallard, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Tufted Ducks and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Male Pied Wagtail

Marc Heath was out early and his highlights were 3 Egyptian Geese W (140th), 1 Coal Tit and 1 Short-eared Owl.
Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 1100 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. He counted 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin W, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 14 Swallows W, 1 male Common Redstart, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 7 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler (141st), 21 Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler.
During the afternoon Mike Bedwell found a Canada Goose (142nd) in the Wanstum near Coldharbour.

April 9th
On a damp and breezy morning we had a bit of a surprise at Shuart where a tinkling bell alerted us to an escaped Harris's Hawk. Other more expected sightings included 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Raven and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Harris's Hawk

As the rain increased we had a look at Reculver and found 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Swallows, 8 Sand Martins, 3 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 14 Mute Swans and 4 Goldfinches.

April 8th
It was a cool but sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then dropped in at Reculver on the way home. We recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 23 Linnets, 3 Blackcaps, 14 Chaffinches, 12 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 7 Redshank, 1 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Mute Swans, 33 Meadow Pipits, 1 singing Sedge Warbler, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Tufted Ducks and 5 Sand Martins.

Sedge Warbler

Marc Heath was also out in the area before us and during the day found 80 species including 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Yellowhammer,2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black Redstarts, 1 Sandwich Tern (138th), 3 Wheatears, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 male Common Redstart and 1 Ring Ouzel.
Also during the day Julian and Alex Perry had our first House Martin  (139th) of the year.

April 7th
As promised the cooler weather had arrived overnight as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour on a breezy morning with sunshine and showers. Birds we saw included 6 Goldfinches, 1 male Black Redstart still singing at the Towers, 29 Linnets W, 10 Mute Swans, 1 Little Owl, 3 Swallows W, 5 Cormorants, 19 Carrion Crows, 18 Oystercatchers, 5 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shovelers, 6 Shelduck, 2 White Wagtails, 10 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 3 male Wheatears, 12 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Tufted Ducks and 12 Sand Martins.
Bob Dean also had a Sedge Warbler by Plumpudding Riding Centre.

Goldfinch

April 6th
On an increasingly windy morning with occasional light showers we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. We saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 16 Linnets W, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Cormorants, 8 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 2 Mute Swans, 14 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Swallow, 7 Tufted Ducks, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Teal, and 1 male Black Redstart sheltering from the wind and rain on the rocks below the Towers.
Marc Heath was out later and got soaked but saw 2 Ravens flying W towards the Towers, 1 Black Redstart, 5 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, 4 White Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Whitethroat and 1 Great Northern Diver offshore.

Male Black Redstart singing - Marc Heath

Raven - Marc Heath

Terry Wilson birded in the Minnis Bay area and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Shelduck and 1 Curlew.

April 5th
On another beautiful morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Blackcaps, 1  Black Redstart singing at the Towers, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Mute Swans, 28 Linnets W, 19 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Woodlark W (137th), 5 Swallows W, 7 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 19 Turnstone, 1 Pied Wagtail, 10 Cormorants, 7 Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 male Wheatears, 1 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, 7 Mediterranean Gulls E, 6 Goldfinches and 30 Sand Martins at the colony.

Male Wheatear

Marc Heath was also out from 0600 to 0945 and his highlights were 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Yellow Wagtails (136th), 1 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatears, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ring Ouzel, 7 Mediterranean Gulls E, 5 Sand Martins and 1 Redpoll.

April 4th
After overnight thunderstorms this morning dawned overcast and damp so I decided to walk from Chamber's Wall, around Coldharbour and up to the Wantsum outflow. I saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldfinches, 10 Chaffinches, 6 Chiffchaffs, 22 Linnets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 migrant Song Thrushes, 12 Mallard, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 11 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 25 Cormorants, 1 male Ring Ouzel (134th) flying W over Coldharbour, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Knot (135th), 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Swallow W, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Knot

April 3rd
On a beautiful spring morning I visited various sites at Reculver and recorded 2 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 7 Goldfinches, 6 Linnets, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 immature male Black Redstart singing continually at the Towers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Mallard and 1 Willow Warbler.

Singing Black Redstart

I then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour and saw 3 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 19 Linnets, 1 female Wheatear, 8 Skylarks, 8 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 14 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 4 Oystercatchers, 9 Corn Buntings, 20 Meadow Pipits and 1 Firecrest. As I was walking back beside the Wantsum I met Derek Smith who had just found a 1 male Common Redstart (133rd). He had previously found a Common Whitethroat (132nd) on the railway embankment, the earliest bird for Reculver following one a day earlier in 2014.
In addition, on his walk from Shuart to Coldharbour and Plumpudding, Derek saw 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 2 Continental Coal Tits at Shuart, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Song Thrushes, 3 Willow Warblers, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Curlews, 1 Swallow W, 1 Green Sandpiper and another Black Redstart at Plumpudding.

Firecrest - Derek Smith

Male Common Redstart

April 2nd
A message from Julian Perry said that as he was completing his early morning run around the Bishopstone and Hillborough areas he had 6 singing Chiffchaffs and 1 Willow Warbler (130th).
I began the morning by walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 2 Goldcrests, 11 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Chaffinches, 11 Redshank, 5 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swans, 12 Oystercatchers, 12 Goldfinches and 2 Long-tailed Tits.
Next I visited Reculver where I found 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal and 1 Black Redstart and 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipits below the Towers.

Scandinavian Rock Pipit

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour before returning along the railway embankment and saw 3 Common Buzzards W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler (131st), 2 Blackcaps, 21 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 8 Corn Buntings.

April 1st
The month began with the Long-eared Owl calling intermittently behind our house at about 0430. Later at Bishopstone Anne found a pair of Stonechat on the cliffs below Reculver Drive.
I arrived at Shuart at 0800 and walked around the area and found 4 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redwings, 6 Jays, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 9 Greenfinches, 4 Ring-necked Parrakeets, 4 Lapwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Song Thrushes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Mallard, 8 Skylarks, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 14 Chaffinches and 8 pairs of Rooks at the Wade House rookery.
On my way home I visited Reculver and counted 8 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 1 Great Northern Diver on the sea off the Towers and 10 Sand Martins at the colony.
I spoke to Martin Tapp of Shuart Farm today and he has had 5 Bramblings (129th) feeding with the Chaffinches at his bird table over the last week.

Meadow Pipit

I received notification from the BTO Ringing Office today that a Blackbird we ringed at West Brook Valley on 28th January 2016 was controlled at Losser, Overjissel, THE NETHERLANDS 58 days later on 26th March. It had flown 414 km ENE on its way back to somewhere in Northern Europe.