April 1st
The month began as I was eating breakfast when a female Brambling made a fleeting visit to our bird feeders.

A through the window photo of the female Brambling

After this we drove to Chamber's Wall and walked along the railway embankment and then out to Coldharbour. We recorded 9 Goldfinches, 16 Mallard, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Blackcap, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Redshank, 20 Carrion Crows, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 12 Chaffinches.
We then walked inland from Reculver and saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Siskin, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Kestrel and 1 Goldcrest.
Derek Smith was also birding this morning and between 0630 and 0930 walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. He counted 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, 12 Sanderling, 14 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 11 Sedge Warblers and 6 Cetti's Warblers.
Julian and Alex Perry found the Avocet and the wintering Common Sandpiper in the Oyster Farm lagoons.