October 12th
We spent the morning ringing out on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 14 Skylarks, 2 Kestrels, 4 Bramblings, 1 Blackcap, 1 Swallow, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Wagtails, 25 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds and 30 Meadow Pipits. We also refound the Great Grey Shrike between the railway and the Thanet Way. It is best viewable from the layby on the Thanet Way, 400 metres east of the Roman Galley.

Birds ringed 50: Wren 6, Chiffchaff 2, Blue Tit 3, Robin 6, Reed Bunting 10, Stonechat 2, Chaffinch 1, Meadow Pipit 5, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 7.

Male and female Stonechat

 

Terry Wilson was out at Minnis Bay this morning and counted 80 Sanderling, 7 Grey Plovers, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Curlew, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Stonechats, 80 Starlings and good numbers of Turnstones and Meadow Pipits.

Late this afternoon Mark Chidwick found 2 newly arrived Shorelarks (187th) on the beach just west of Coldharbour. He also saw a funnel cloud.

 

Shorelarks - Mark Chidwick

  

Funnel cloud - Mark Chidwick

 

 

I received information today about a ringed first year male Blackcap we mist netted at Reculver on September 24th. It had been ringed at Durlston Country Park, Dorset on September 21st and had flown 236 km ENE in three days.