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.