September 30th
It was the chilliest morning of the autumn so far as we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour but the sun soon came out to warm things up. There were quite a few birds to be seen and we recorded 13 Mute Swans, 5 Chiffchaffs, 52 Goldfinches, 14 Pied Wagtails, 45 Meadow Pipits, 9 Cormorants, 1 Grey Partridge calling, 169 Linnets, 7 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Swallows W, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Stonechats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Grebe, 51 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 2 Kestrels, 5 Oystercatchers, 58 Mallard, 18 Wigeon, 9 Sandwich Terns E, 14 Reed Buntings, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Gadwall, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 House Martins W, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Common Buzzard.

Stonechat

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0730 and 1000 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the railway embankment. He saw 21 Wigeon, 5 Common Buzzards, 1 Merlin W, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Skylarks SW, 1 Whinchat, 24 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 85 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Chaffinches W, 22 Siskins W and 12 Meadow Pipits W.

September 29th
It was blustery and damp this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 22 Reed Buntings, 4 Redshank, 31 Linnets, 1 Gadwall, 106 House Martins W, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Kingfisher, 19 Swallows W, 117 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 24 Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrels, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 58 Golden Plovers and 1 Cetti's Warbler,

September 28th
The sun was shining this morning and a SW breeze was blowing as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Pied Wagtails, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Cormorants, 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 72 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 21 Sandwich Terns, 87 Linnets, 26 Carrion Crows, 33 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Cetti's Warbler,  74 Mallard, 1 Whinchat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Gadwall, 7 Little Egrets, 15 Reed Buntings, 4 Grey Plovers, 1 juvenile Gannet W close in shore, 1 Stonechat and 12 House Martins at the Towers.

Grey Plover

September 27th
On a warmer morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and recorded 130 Golden Plovers, 20 Lapwings, 14 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 80 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, 24 Linnets, 3 Kestrels, 8 Teal, 14 Redshank, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Carrion Crows, 6 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 3 Turnstone, 5 Grey Plover,  Ringed Plovers and 1 Whinchat.

Grey Plovers

This morning between 0730 and 1030 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment and saw 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Kestrels, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Snipe E, 1 Whinchat, 9 Song Thrushes, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 45 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Cetti's Warblers and 18 Reed Buntings W.

September 26th
It felt like autumn this morning with a chilly breeze blowing as we had a good ringing session at Shuart. Bird of the morning was a Dotterel (179th) that flew west calling repeatedly. Other birds seen included 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 2 Reed Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sedge Warbler, 20 Reed Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails W, 14 Swallows S, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 19 Greylag Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk and 20 Lapwings.

Birds ringed 47: Chiffchaff 10, Great Tit 1, Reed Bunting 12, Blue Tit 2, Linnet 1, Blackcap 12, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Greenfinch 4, Kingfisher 1.

Kingfisher

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and the Wade crossing. He recorded 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 55 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 18 Meadow Pipits W and 2 Grey Partridges.

September 25th
An extremely slow morning's ringing at Shuart came to an abrupt end when we received a text from Mark Chidwick to say that he had found a Hoopoe (178th) near the church at Hillborough. Unfortunately we could not relocate it, however during the morning at Shuart and Hillborough we saw 3 Red-legged Partridges, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Common Buzzards, 40 Meadow Pipits, 10 Linnets, 2 Jays and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Birds ringed 8: Chiffchaff 3, Robin 2, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 1.

September 24th
On a morning that began calm but became more breezy later we had a ringing session at Reculver. Birds we saw included 2 Cetti's Warblers, 31 Swallows W, 2 Peregrines, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Grey Wagtails, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Song Thrushes, 6 Robins, 20 Blackcaps, 45 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 1 Teal, 2 Kestrels, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Birds ringed 47: Chiffchaff 26, Goldcrest 1, Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 12, Robin 2, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2.

Chiffchaff

September 23rd
Although the sun was shining brightly this morning there was a chill in the air as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 2 Kestrels, 3 Stonechats, 28 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 38 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 69 Goldfinches, 20 Linnets, 53 Reed Buntings, 4 Sedge Warblers, 40 Meadow Pipits, 10 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Gadwall, 31 Swallows W, 10 House Martins W, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 10 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Long-tailed Tit

September 22nd

On a cloudy morning with the tide going out we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 7 Pied Wagtails, 23 Swallows W, 16 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Cormorants, 6 Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 3 Wheatears, 132 House Martins W, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 89 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Dunnocks in the bushes along the seawall, 2 Stonechats, 17 Oystercatchers, 54 Linnets, 3 Teal, 23 Mallard, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Golden Plover, 12 Reed Buntings, 5 Sedge Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 17 Meadow Pipits, 57 Goldfinches, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Little Owl.

Dunnock

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0700 and 1300 birding from Shuart to the Green Wall and back to Netherhale. He saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 6 Common Buzzards, 26 Lapwings S, 8 Golden Plovers W, 3 Snipe, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtails W, 5 Grey Wagtails W, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 147 Chiffchaffs mainly on the railway embankment and 9 Cetti's Warblers.

 

Spotted Flycatcher - Derek Smith

Ruddy Darter - Derek Smith

 

Today Bob Dean counted 123 Turnstones on the rocks at Grenham Bay.

This afternoon and evening there was a significant westerly movement of hirundines numbering 100 per minute. Mainly Swallows with House Martins mixed in and the odd Sand Martin and 1 Swift.

 

September 21st
On a beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 23 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Kestrels, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Teal, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 33 Linnets, 34 Goldfinches, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sedge Warblers, 5 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 3 Grey Wagtails, 66 Lapwings, 23 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 16 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 12 Reed Buntings, 6 Swallows, 10 Robins, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 15 Blue Tits.

Reed Bunting

 

Terry Wilson saw 3 Wheatears, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtails and lots of linnets and goldfinches along the railway embankment as well as 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Blackcap, 40 Mallard and back at Grenham Bay on the incoming tide 40 Turnstone, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Little Egret  and 2 Grey Plovers.

September 20th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Wantsum outfow and counted 35 Chiffchaffs, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Lapwings, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Robins, 1 Stonechat, 96 Swallows W, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 38 Mallard, 30 Oystercatchers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Egret, 1 Blackcap, 2 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 13 House Martins W, 23 Meadow Pipits W, 3 Dunlin, 20 Linnets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Whitethroat.
Derek Smith was also out between 0700 and 1000 and walked from Shuart to the railway embankment and Chamber's Wall. He saw 88 Chiffchaffs, 22 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Snipe, 12 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and 35 Meadow Pipits.
Also this morning Dave Smith found a Common Redstart by the Towers.

September 19th
It is very unusual for us to ring 100 or more birds in a morning ringing session, but this morning at Shuart we caught and ringed 113 birds helped in no small way by an overnight arrival of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Birds we saw whilst ringing included 1 Pied Flycatcher (177th) , 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 120 Chiffchaffs, 49 Lapwings, 49 House Martins W, 2 Common Buzzards, 44 Swallows W, 45 Blackcaps, 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Golden Plovers, 80 Greylag Geese, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Tree Pipit, 40 Linnets, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 30 Meadow Pipits, 2 Jays, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Ringed Plover.

Birds ringed 113: Chiffchaff 48, Wren 2, Willow Warbler 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Blackcap 21, Reed Warbler 5, Pied Flycatcher 1, Reed Bunting 13,  Sedge Warblers 4, Great Tits 3, Blue Tit 5, Whitethroat 3, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

First year Pied Flycatcher

This afternoon we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and recorded 4 Pintail W, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrels, 4 Redshank, 38 Meadow Pipits W, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Dunlin, 34 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 12 Chiffchaffs, 5 Grey Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Turnstone, 16 Linnets, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Little Stint, 1 Wheatear, 65 Swallows W, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Common Sandpipers and 1 Grey Wagtail.
This evening Mark Chidwick found a Wryneck feeding on ants on the path beside Plumpudding Stables.

Wryneck - Mark Chidwick

September 18th
We spent an excellent morning ringing at Reculver and saw 4 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 63 Swallows, 29 House Martins, 5 Sand Martins, 407 Lapwings W, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Merlin, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 15 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Reed Warblers, 3 Marsh Harriers W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 16 Meadow Pipits, 3 Kestrels, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Swifts, 15 Song Thrushes, 1 Siskin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Golden Plover.

Birds ringed 44: Chiffchaff 18, Willow Warbler 2, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Blackcap 10, Reed Warbler 3, Robin 1, Common Redstart 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Common Redstart

This afternoon Matt walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding and counted 89 Sanderling, 60 Dunlin, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 59 Turnstone, 50 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 40 Oystercatchers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Whimbrel and 27 Ringed Plovers.



September 17th
After sitting at Reculver Towers for an hour yesterday afternoon in pouring rain and seeing very little we arrived there again at first light this morning in the hope that the NW wind would produce a better result. In the event after a slow start we managed to see a good range of species in the four and a half hours we were there. Virtually all birds we counted were flying W and included 12 Arctic Skuas, 116 Teal, 137 Wigeon, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Great Skuas, 61 Gannets, 22 Pintail, 1 Knot, 5 Golden Plovers, 13 Common Terns,  11 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Snipe, 1 immature Long-tailed Skua (174th), 6 Swallows, 2 Turnstone, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Manx Shearwater E (175th), 2 Arctic Terns (176th), 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar E and 1 Sandwich Tern E.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Wigeon

Whilst doing the National Beach Clean at Minnis Bay today Terry Wilson saw 20 Sanderling, 34 Turnstone, 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 4 Ringed Plovers.
This afternoon with heavy showers still arriving off the sea we visited Minnis Bay where we saw 8 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemots E, 1 Great Skua E and 8 Turnstone.
On our way home we stopped off at Chamber's Wall and walked to Coldharbour in unpleasant conditions but managed to see a travelling band of tits and warblers consisting of 11 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 8 Long-tailed Tits. Other birds seen included 4 Gadwall, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Wigeon.

September 16th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart and left before the rain arrived. We saw 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 127 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Jay, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 48 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (173rd) calling and showing intermittently and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Birds ringed 20: Chiffchaff 5, Wren 2, Willow Warbler 1, Robin 2, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.

September 15th
On another hot and sticky morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 8 Pied Wagtails, 16 Goldfinches, 12 Redshank, 12 Cormorants, 88 Ringed Plovers, 1 Stonechat, 46 Swallows W, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 2 Wheatears, 3 Common Sandpipers, 38 Linnets, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Dunlin, 5 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 1 Gannet, 7 Teal, 18 Common Scoter E, 32 Golden Plovers, 2 Little Stints, 5 Mallard, 3 Grey Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Sandwich Terns and 1 Guillemot E.

Yesterday we received information about a Blackbird we had ringed at Shuart on 17th November 2014. It was found dead having flown into a tractor window at Hastberg, Leksand, Kopparberg, SWEDEN on 10th July 2016. Hastberg is 1,337 km NE of Shuart.

September 14th
After yesterday was the hottest day in September since 1911 this morning was still hot and humid as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Turtle Dove, 9 Linnets, 1 immature Peregrine, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler trying to sing, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Golden Plovers, 1 Whinchat, 11 Redshank, 7 Mallard, 9 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Gannets E, 11 Wigeon W, 2 Kestrels, 8 Turnstone, 2 Wheatears, 2 Little Stints, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Ringed Plovers, 5 Swallows E, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Green Woodpecker.
Terry Wilson was also out this morning at Grenham and Minnis Bays and counted 35 Sanderling, 20 Turnstones, 2 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 3 Knot, 2 Little Egrets and 12 Dunlin.

Wheatear

Whinchat

September 13th
We had a pleasant walk from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning and recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 11 Pied Wagtails, 14 Mute Swans, 15 Cormorants, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Sandwich Terns E, 12 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 30 Linnets, 8 Wheatears 53 Common Scoter E, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Common Terns E, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Little Ringed Plover E, 1 Turtle Dove, 24 Ringed Plovers, 61 Golden Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Turnstone, 2 Little Stints, 5 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel W, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Teal, 30 Goldfinches and 1 Snipe.

Golden Plover on seawall

 

Juvenile Sandwich Tern

Dave Smith was also out before us on the Marsh this morning and saw 2 Little Stints, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plovers, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Knot, 1 Greenshank, 1 Gadwall, 2 Golden Plovers, 10+ Sandwich Terns, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Wheatears.
Terry Wilson visited Grenham Bay this morning and counted 60 Turnstone on the seaweed, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 7 Sanderling, 25 Oystercatchers, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 50+ Ringed Plovers and 12 Gannets out at sea.

September 12th
On another beautiful early autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the White Poplars. There did not appear to be much new in but we did count 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 42 Golden Plovers, 7 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 19 Mallard, 10 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 38 Linnets, 4 Wheatears, 1 Gadwall, 2 Turnstone, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Ringed Plovers and 2 Little Stints.

Juvenile Knot

September 11th
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Bullfinches, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Swift, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Swallows, 10 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warblers, 20 Blackcaps, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Jays, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 32: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 11, Reed Warbler 2, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

Marc Heath was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and recorded 11 Bar-tailed Godwits E, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Owl, 3 Wheatears, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Merlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 1 Greenshank, 36 Golden Plovers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Water Rail, 3 Snipe, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Knot, 8 Dunlin, 1 Grey Wagtail and 50 House Martins.

September 10th
Back at Reculver this morning we walked up to Coldharbour and back and counted 9 Pied Wagtails, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Little Owls, 2 Grey Wagtails, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Common Sandpipers, 9 Redshank, 7 Little Egrets, 11 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 2 Snipe, 57 Golden Plovers, 87 Linnets, 2 Whinchats, 37 Oystercatchers, 53 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Willow Warblers, 34 Mallard, 10 Dunlin, 2 Little Stints, 1 Greenshank, 32 Bar-tailed Godwits W, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Wigeon, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnocks flying W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Wheatear and 8 House Martins.

Knot

September 4th - 9th   Falsterbo, Sweden

 

Falsterbo lighthouse and ringing station

A small group of the birders and photographers scattered around the area

Anne and I have just spent five days birding and sightseeing in the Falsterbo area of Sweden one of Europe's top migration hotspots. We arrived at Copenhagen Airport in heavy rain and drove to our hotel near Vellinge but found little about due to the torrential rain. This rain however was a bonus because the next day there was a large fall of migrants, mainly Robins, of which the Falsterbo Ringing Station at the lighthouse caught 929 out of their days total of 1,180 birds ringed.
During our five days birds were continually passing over with common species like Greylag Geese, Siskins, Chaffinches, Tree Sparrows and Yellow and White Wagtails in large numbers with the occasional Tree Pipits and Crossbills.

Some of the Greylag Geese flying south

Highlights for us were totals of 2,272 Barnacle Geese, 48 Common Cranes flying S, 29 Red Kites, 189 Sparrowhawks, 76 Honey Buzzard, 100 Common Buzzard, 4 Pallid Harriers, 1 White-tailed Eagle and 3 Nutcrackers.

Falsterbo

September 9th
At Shuart this morning Matt found 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel and 50 House Martins.
Later he walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to Reculver and counted 1 Hobby, 2 Willow Warblers, 11 "alba" Wagtails, 1 Gannet, 1 Wheatear, 10 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Stonechats, 1 Whitethroat, 15 Oystercatchers, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 99 Golden Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Kestrels, 13 Turnstone, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 9 Dunlin, 2 Little Stints and 57 Mallard.

Bar-tailed Godwit

September 8th
At Shuart this morning Matt saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 Ring-necked Parakeets.
This afternoon he walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 37 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 6 Common Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Stint, 8 Dunlin, 1 Wheatear, 8 Redshank, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 2 Knot and 4 Sandwich Terns.

Dunlin

Little Stint

September 6th
Derek Smith was out between 0830 and 1100 walking from Shuart and along the railway embankment recording 5 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Whitethroats, 7 Sedge Warblers, 9 Reed Warblers and 4 Green Sandpipers.

September 3rd
On an increasingly breezy morning we ringed at Reculver and saw 2 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Tree Pipit W, 2 Coot, 3 Jays, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Little Owl calling, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 8 Pied Wagtails W, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Birds ringed 19: Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 3, Garden Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Great Tit 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Dunnock 3, Blackbird 1.

Sedge Warbler

September 2nd
There was a different feel to the weather this morning with cloud and an increasing SW breeze as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then Reculver and back. We saw 5 Wheatears, 15 Linnets, 45 Goldfinches, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 17 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Greenshank, 77 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Stints, 6 Little Egrets, 28 Golden Plover, 8 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 60 House Martins W in a flock, 2 Turnstone, 55 Swallows W, 1 Kestrel, 6 Sanderling W, 2 Whinchats, 12 Sand Martins, 3 Snipe, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Little Owl and 2 Stonechats.

Little Stint

September 1st
We began the month with a relatively quiet morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 37 Linnets, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 House Martins and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
On the way home at Reculver Matt saw 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Grey Wagtail W and 1 Kingfisher.

Birds ringed 20: Wren 2, Blackcap 3, Whitethroat 3, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 3, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Greenfinch 1, Blackbird 2.

Grasshopper Warbler