November 30th
On another sunny but frosty morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then back via the railway embankment. We counted 3 Lapwings, 5 Turnstone, 3 Sanderling, 1 Little Owl, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Goldfinches, 6 Redshank, 5 Stonechats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Snipe, 6 Shelduck, 140 Cormorants, 5 Red-throated Divers, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 83 Golden Plovers, 16 Oystercatchers, 53 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 115 Carrion Crows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 30 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings and 2 Lapland Buntings W.

Goldfinch

This afternoon Marc Heath birded the Marsh and saw 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Stonechats, 40 Skylarks, 2 Lapwings, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plovers, 3 Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Red-throated Divers, 2 Teal and 1 Mediterranean Gull.
Richard Collins was also out doing a seawatch and saw some of these birds but in addition 1 Great Northern Diver E, 100 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck and 2 Turnstones.

November 29th
On a beautiful frosty morning we began at the Towers and then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked back to Reculver. Birds we saw included 128 Common Scoter, 1 Teal, 6 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 500 Cormorants, 4 Shelduck, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 13 Golden Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Fieldfares, 20 Blackbirds, 10 Redwings, 52 Corn Buntings, 6 Tree Sparrows, 38 Chaffinches, 60 Reed Buntings 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Grey Partridges, 2 Peregrines, 6 Lapland Buntings in the maize fields south of Coldharbour lagoon, 2 Water Rails, 275 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 140 Carrion Crows, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 30 Skylarks, 38 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 27 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Long-tailed Duck E, much paler than yesterday's birds and 1 Stonechat.

November 28th
We spent a most enjoyable morning at Reculver beginning at the Towers and then walking along the seawall. At the Towers e saw 600 Cormorants, 120 Common Scoter, 24 Teal, 5 Great Crested Grebes E, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser E, 2 Rock Pipits, 158 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Red-throated Divers E, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Duck on the sea in the shadows below the Towers before flying E, 4 Curlew and 30 Great Black-backed Gulls including one chasing a Song Thrush in off the sea and 2 large auks E.
On our walk along the seawall we recorded  2 Avocets E, only the second record of the year, 1 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 immature Shag, 42 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 81 Mallard, 90 Wigeon, 1 Stonechat, 5 Oystercatchers, 80 Carrion Crows, 40 Lapwings, 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull (194th) , a typical pale biscuit coloured individual flying in off the sea at the Green Wall and then along the back of the Oyster Farm before flying back out to sea at the Towers, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Snipe and 20 Mute Swan,

Juvenile Long-tailed Duck

November 27th
With a fresh NE breeze blowing we had an early morning seawatch at Reculver and saw the following birds flying east: 33 Red-throated Divers, 650 Cormorants, 89 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 57 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Gannets, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 83 Wigeon, 5 Velvet Scoter, 6 Eider, 2 Curlews and 1 Shag.
Later along the seawall we recorded 1 Kingfisher, 5 Stonechats, 10 Mute Swans, 2 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 95 Carrion Crows, 46 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 42 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Common Buzzard.

November 26th
This morning we covered the Marsh from Shuart to Brooksend and on to Plumpudding lagoon. We counted 6 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Redwings, 30 Blackbirds, 1 Kestrel, 22 Lapwings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Water Rails, 28 Golden Plovers, 24 House Sparrows, 8 Wigeon, 3 Little Egrets, 48 Turnstones, 230 Sanderlings, 35 Redshank, 94 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlew, 34 Grey Plovers, 55 Dunlin, 32 Ringed Plovers, 1 Knot, 32 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 1 Little Owl, 2 Mallard and 420 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Sanderling

Knot

November 25th
There was less to be seen at the Towers this morning but I did have an interesting gull fly by. I'm pretty certain that it is a hybrid Glaucous x Herring, the so called "Nelson's" Gull. The primaries and secondaries are too dark and the underparts too blotchy for it to be a pure Glaucous Gull.

Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid or "Nelson's" Gull 

Other birds seen, all flying E, included 137 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 100 Great Black-backed Gulls, 559 Cormorants, 17 Common Scoter, 52 Red-throated Divers, 2 Kittiwakes, 2 Curlews, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Eider, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Sanderling, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Teal, 24 Wigeon and 32 Dunlin.

November 24th
I arrived at Reculver at 0715 and spent two and half hours seawatching with Neil Frampton. Birds we saw flying E included 156 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Kittiwakes, 117 Red-throated Divers, 79 Common Scoter, 4 juvenile Pomarine Skuas (3W,1E), 14 Gannets, 2 Shoveler, 512 Cormorants, 175 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Guillemots, 1 Velvet Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Black-throated Diver flying past close inshore, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull.

Red-throated Divers

Adult Great Black-backed Gull

November 23rd
Back at Reculver this morning we walked up to Coldharbour and counted 9 Goldfinches, 5 Pied Wagtails, 198 Cormorants, 31 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 206 Oystercatchers flying down to Minnis Bay from their overnight roost at Shellness, 2 Mute Swans, 11 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 36 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 6 Common Scoter, 31 Linnets, 11 Corn Buntings, 3 Little Egrets, 68 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 188 Carrion Crows, 5 Snow Buntings, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Grey Wagtail.

November 22nd
We had an away day today and visited Dungeness where we saw a good range of species including Ring-necked Duck, Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Caspian Gull, Manx Shearwater and Egyptian Geese.

November 21st
It was significantly milder than yesterday as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We finished our walk just before the forecast heavy rain arrived and saw 157 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 628 Cormorants flying back and forth from the Stour Valley, 11 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Snipe, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Golden Plover, 46 Mallard, 120 Carrion Crows, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 1 Gadwall, 13 Linnets, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Turnstone, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Common Buzzard.
This afternoon we visited Minnis Bay and saw 53 Great Black-backed Gulls, 31 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Curlews, 1 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit, 96 Kittiwakes E, 111 Oystercatchers, 56 Turnstone, 28 Grey Plovers, 12 Dunlin, 1 Red-throated Diver, 8 Redshank, 11 Gannets E and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Great Black-backed Gulls

November 20th
After Storm Angus brought heavy rain and a 106 mph gust just off Margate this morning we arrived at Minnis Bay after lunch. With the tide coming in quickly we walked towards Grenham Bay and counted 37 Great Black-backed Gulls, mainly adults, 137 Oystercatchers, 44 Grey Plovers, 49 Turnstone, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Curlews, 69 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 31 Redshank, 2 Sanderling, 45 Dunlin and the biggest surprise in the form of a Whimbrel flying W.

Turnstone

November 19th
On a cold but sunny morning we walked inland at Reculver and then along the seawall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 650 Cormorants, 7 Grey Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 103 Dark-bellied Brent Geese including one that looks like a hybrid Black Brant x Dark-bellied, 3 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 5 Stonechats, 20 Redshank, 6 Common Scoter, 12 Oystercatchers, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Corn Buntings, 16 Mallard, 5 Snow Buntings, 1 Peregrine unsuccessfully chasing a Stock Dove, 44 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Herons and 110 Carrion Crows.

November 18th
We completed the same walk as yesterday and saw similar birds including 84 Cormorants, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Fieldfares, 23 Chaffinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Redwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 210 Carrion Crows, 29 Oystercatchers, 66 Wigeon, 3 Goldfinches, 5 Snow Buntings, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 15 Teal and 3 Gadwall.

Snow Bunting

November 17th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and then inland. We saw 254 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Goldfinches, 38 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Redshank, 24 Oystercatchers, 1 Shelduck, 24 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 153 Carrion Crows, 5 Snow Buntings, 55 Lapwings, 2 Wigeon, 26 Fieldfares, 10 Skylarks, 8 Turnstone and 1 Green Sandpiper.

November 16th
We arrived at Reculver just as the overnight rain moved off and the sun came out to produce a surprisingly mild morning. On our walk up to Coldharbour we recorded 138 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Linnets, 21 Redshank, 20 Skylarks W, 10 Turnstone, 25 Ringed Plovers, 70 Starlings, 3 Corn Buntings W, 2 Curlew, 53 Oystercatchers, 278 Cormorants, 6 Pied Wagtails, 3 Stonechats, 320 Lapwings W, 1 Shelduck, 5 Snow Buntings, 135 Carrion Crows, 64 Mallard, 14 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Sanderling, 162 Wigeon, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Peregrine, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Rock Pipit.

November 15th
On a surprisingly mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Curlews, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 141 Cormorants flying from the Stour Valley out to sea to feed, 4 Turnstone, 41 Ringed Plovers, 350 Starlings, 6 Redshank, 50 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Common Scoter, 57 Goldfinches, 166 Carrion Crows, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Snow Buntings, 45 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 40Wigeon, 1 Short-eared Owl being given a hard time by the local Carrion Crows, 21 Skylarks, 9 Linnets, 17 Mute Swans, 1 Stonechat, 168 Lapwings W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Jay and 1 Water Rail.

Snow Bunting

November 14th
We spent a damp morning ringing at Shuart but packed up early as the rain arrived. We saw 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 80 Redwings, 18 Fieldfares, 60 Blackbirds, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellowhammer, 350 Lapwings, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Redpoll W, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and 8 Skylarks. We also retrapped the Heligoland ringed Blackbird that we caught on 11th.

Birds ringed 36: Wren 2, Reed Bunting 2, Redwing 7, Blackbird 25.

Derek Smith was also out in the rain this morning between 0830 and 1030 and recorded 86 Lapwings W, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrels, 110 Starlings W, 80 Redwings, 120 Blackbirds, 8 Fieldfares and 18 Goldcrests.
This afternoon in light rain we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and saw 1 Velvet Scoter sitting on the sea at Minnis Bay, 59 Sanderling, 3 Grey Plovers, 4 Redshank, 7 Turnstone, 12 Linnets, 3 Stonechats, 4 Common Scoter, 22 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Grey Herons, 2 Rock Pipits, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Little Egret.

November 13th
We began the morning with a seawatch at Reculver and saw 6 Gannets, 2 Wigeon, 21 Common Scoter, 4 female Eiders E, 83 Cormorants, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 7 Red-throated Divers.
After this we took part in the Golden Plover Survey but unfortunately found none although we did record over 1,000 Lapwings. In the western half of the Marsh we saw 174 Lapwings W, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, 52 Redwings, 65 Wigeon, 7 Mute Swans, 28 Skylarks, 6 Tree Sparrows, 260 Carrion Crows, 26 Stock Doves, 66 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 12 Reed Buntings, 4 Little Egrets, 31 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Peregrines, 24 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Fieldfare and 16 Chaffinches.
Matt covered most of the eastern half of the Marsh where he counted 950 Lapwings, 29 Mute Swans, 9 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snow Bunting E over Brooksend, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 91 Sanderling, 57 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 8 Redshank, 220 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat and 1 Grey Heron.
Derek Smith took the central section of the Marsh and walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 290 Lapwings, 1 Peregrine, 5 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Short-eared Owl, 80 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 48 Stock Doves W, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Snow Buntings at Plumpudding and 4 Stonechats.

Snow Bunting - Derek Smith

November 12th
We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning in overcast conditions. We counted 334 Cormorants, 10 Shelduck W, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Wigeon, 88 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great White Egret W past the Towers, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Great Northern Diver E, 13 Goldfinches, 2 Curlews, 5 Turnstone, 1 Little Grebe on the sea, 24 Lapwings, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Gannets, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Great Crested Grebes W, 5 Stonechats, 1 Red-throated Diver, 285 Carrion Crows, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 31 Ringed Plovers, 31 Redshank, 310 Starlings W, 1 Pintail, 6 Mallard and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Great White Egret

I have just received an interesting control of a female Cetti's Warbler we ringed at Reculver on 4th October 2016. It was controlled at Culford School, Suffolk, 110 km NNW on October 31st.

November 11th
We had an excellent morning's ringing at Shuart where there had been an overnight arrival of Blackbirds. Highlight however was catching and ringing a Siberian Chiffchaff as well as controlling a Heligoland ringed Blackbird. Birds we saw included 81 Lapwings, 20 Fieldfares, 200 Redwings, 250 Blackbirds, 1 Woodcock, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Common Buzzards, 30 Chaffinches, 1 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Redpoll, 2 Kestrels, 1 Water Rail, 11 Skylarks, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Snipe, 500 Starlings W, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 135 Stock Doves, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Siskin.

Birds ringed 76: Siberian Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Redwings 2, Blackbird 68.

Siberian Chiffchaff

This afternoon with the sun shining and very little wind we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Stonechats, 3 Short- eared Owls hunting over the Oyster Farm lagoons, 6 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 15 Linnets, 1 Teal, 6 Knot W, 3 Dunlin, 2 Gadwall, 282 Carrion Crows feeding on the mussel beds, 18 Lapwings, 46 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 3 Sanderling, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Rock Pipit, 26 Ringed Plovers, 1 Swallow feeding over the grass at the Visitors Centre, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Chiffchaff.

November 10th
On a much improved morning with little wind and sunny periods we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We recorded 42 Blackbirds, 31 Fieldfares, 43 Redwings, 22 Cormorants, 16 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 49 Chaffinches, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Merlin, 15 Skylarks,  6 Tree Sparrows, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 85 Wigeon 29 Reed Buntings, 166 Mallard, 12 Lapwings W, 7 Redshank, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Golden Plover, 116 Carrion Crows, 2 Stonechats, 125 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Little Egret, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 27 Linnets, 7 Dunnocks and 1 Little Grebe.

Dunnock

November 9th
Today was a washout with rain virtually all day although we did see 250 Fieldfares and 50 Redwings this afternoon feeding on hawthorn bushes near Hoath.

November 8th
With better weather than yesterday but still with a cold NW wind blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then on to Chamber's Wall. We saw 30 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 145 Starlings, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 208 Lapwings W, 16 Cormorants, 13 Shelduck, 179 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Stonechats, 21 Linnets, 4 Redshank, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Herons, 110 Carrion Crows, 18 Goldfinches, 1 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 13 Mallard, 2 Sanderling, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 120 Fieldfares, 50 Redwings and 1 Woodcock.
With a NW wind blowing Richard Collins had a look at Reculver this morning and saw 44 Brent Goose, 3 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 2 Teal, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Lapwings, 4 Redshank and 4 Sanderling.
This afternoon we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and saw 65 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 252 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Grey Plovers, 1 male Peregrine, 4 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers and 3 Turnstone.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

November 7th
In foul conditions, with NNE gale bringing in continual heavy showers, I spent an hour and a half at Minnis Bay this morning. I saw the following mainly flying E: 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Tufted Duck, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 51 Gannets, 14 Common Scoter, 22 Kittiwakes, 3 Great Skuas, 1 adult Pomarine Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater and 3 Wigeon.
Richard Collins did a sea watch from the carpark at Reculver between 0750 and 0950 before giving up with lack of visibility due to continuous heavy rain. He saw 100 Brent Goose, 10 Wigeon, 3 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Dudley Cox birded from  the Tower between 1300 and 1330 and recorded 1 Great Skua W, 2 Common Scoter on the sea , and a flock of 15 Common Scoter including 1 Velvet Scoter flying W. Later he walked from Chambers Wall to Coldharbour and along to Plumpudding and back via Shuart and counted 40 Sanderling, a few Turnstone, 3 Grey Plovers, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Redshank and 2 Snow Buntings.

November 6th
We arrived at the Towers early and spent an hour and a half seawatching but did not see much moving just 220 Cormorants, 63 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet, 4 Velvet Scoter, 2 Peregrines, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew, 97 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 34 Wigeon W.
We then moved on to Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour seeing 5 Redwings, 82 Fieldfares, 6 Golden Plovers, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 68 Mallard, 32 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Grey Wagtail, 26 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Curlew, 8 Common Scoter, 24 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Dunlin and 1 Kestrel.

Purple Sandpiper at Minnis Bay on November 4th

November 5th
It was cold with a fresh W wind blowing this morning as we had a look from the Towers and then walked up to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. We saw 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 7 Common Scoter E, 4 Gannets, 350 Cormorants, 91 Dark-bellied Brent Geese 9 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 17 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 41 Linnets, 52 Mallard, 185 Carrion Crows, 2 Grey Plovers, 15 Meadow Pipits, 1 immature Peregrine, 31 Goldfinches, 5 Stonechats, 1 Little Egret, 7 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 80 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings.
Neil Burt had a female Long-tailed Duck (193rd) land on the sea off the Towers before flying W.
Terry Wilson saw a Snow Bunting near Plumpudding this morning.
An hour seawatching at Minnis Bay this afternoon only produced 17 Common Scoter E, 1 Red-throated Diver and 3 Gannets.

Later this afternoon Alex and Julian Perry had a 2 hour seawatch from the Towers and recorded 9 Pintail W, 15 Common Scoter E, 3 Velvet Scoter W, 2 Wigeon W, 2 Teal, 17 Brent Geese, 1 Arctic Tern W, 30 Gannet, and 2 Turnstone W. There was also 1 Rock Pipit.

.

November 4th
We spent another interesting morning ringing at Shuart and saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Bramblings, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrels, 24 Skylarks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Redpoll W, 1 Blackcap, 255 Redwings, 125 Fieldfares, 130 Blackbirds, 2 Common Buzzards, 15 Waxwings (14E, 1W), 18 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover and 4 Corn Buntings.

Birds ringed 38: Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 1, Reed Bunting 2, Goldfinch 2, Robin 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Redwing 9, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 18.

First winter male Blackbird

This afternoon Matt walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding and counted 120 Sanderling, 80 Turnstones, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Gannet, 1 Red-throated Diver, 16 Common Scoter, 40 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Stonechats, 16 Curlew, 200 Oystercatchers, 3 Swallows and 1 Kingfisher.

November 3rd
An excellent ringing session at Shuart began with a group of 6 Wawings (192nd) sitting on top of a hawthorn bush before flying W. Later another one flew high W as well.



Early morning Waxwings

Other birds seen during the morning included included 2 Common Buzzards, 384 Fieldfares W, 270 Redwings W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Kestrels, 60 Lapwings W, 44 Song Thrushes, 4 Goldcrests, 43 Skylarks W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 70 Blackbirds, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Tree Sparrows, 7 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 30 Meadow Pipits, 25 Chaffinches, 1 Woodcock, 25 Goldfinches, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Redpolls W, 1 Snipe, 25 Golden Plovers and 4 Marsh Harriers.

Birds ringed 52: Wren 2, Goldcrest 2, Meadow Pipits 11, Goldfinch 3, Chaffinch 2, Robin 2, Reed Bunting 4, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 1, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 7, Fieldfare 1, Blackbird 13.

Fieldfare

On his way home Matt stopped of at Reculver where he saw 1 Little Auk flying E and 1 Waxwing flying in off the sea.
Marc Heath had 3 Swallows at Minnis Bay.
Sue Carter and Steve Goodrich walked from Shuart to Coldharbour Lagoon and back between 1115 and 1400 and saw groups of newly arrived Feldfares and Redwings,1 Grey Wagtail by the horse, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, several pairs of Stonechats, 30 Golden Plovers, 40 Sanderling roosting on the rocks, 1 female Kingfisher on the boulder, 2 Common Buzzards, 20 Carrion Crows, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 40 Oystercatchers, 1 Woodcock flushed from the beach area by the lagoon, 2 Great-crested Grebes, 5 Cormorants, 1 very confiding Snow Bunting on the gravel path from Shuart as it joins the sea wall just east of the lagoon, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Wren, 5 Linnets, 6 Curlews, 20 Turnstones, 3 Robins and 1 Cetti’s Warbler.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to Reculver. We saw 38 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Redwing, 2 Tree Sparrows, 25 Corn Buntings, 200 Starlings W, 69 Linnets, 16 Redshank, 2 female Common Scoter, 2 Short-eared Owls, 7 Wigeon, 22 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 106 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 117 Carrion Crows, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Coot, 13 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal and 1 Common Buzzard.

Short-eared Owl harassed by Carrion Crows

November 2nd
There was a different feel to this morning with the sun shining brightly and a cold NW wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall to the Oyster Farm. We saw 2 Kestrels, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Redwings, 42 Chaffinches, 20 Reed Buntings, 11 Skylarks, 45 Fieldfares W, 32 Wigeon, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 52 Mallard, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Curlew, 16 Oystercatchers, 123 Starlings W, 41 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 116 Carrion Crow, 22 Pintail E, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Teal, 23 Golden Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 23 Corn Buntings, 18 Tree Sparrows, 1 Marsh Harrier and 11 Long-tailed Tits.

Female Reed Bunting

November 1st
A chilly NW breeze kept the worst of the threatened fog away as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 73 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 18 Meadow Pipits, 18 Cormorants, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 27 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats, 35 Goldfinches, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Chaffinches, 126 Carrion Crows, 6 Skylarks, 7 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 immature Peregrine and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Carrion Crow

First winter Yellow-legged Gull