September 30th
We spent the morning ringing at one of our Reculver sites and saw a good range of species including 600 Swallows, 150 House Martins, 2 Peregrines, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 24 Chiffchaffs, 21 Skylarks, 39 Siskins, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 40 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 20 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Mute Swans, 5 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 48 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Gadwall, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Coal Tits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Firecrest and 1 Jay.

Birds ringed 65: Chiffchaff 14, Goldcrest 11, Wren 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Firecrest 1, Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap 22, Cetti's Warbler 1, Swallow 3, Blue Tit 6, Great Tit 2, Kingfisher 1, Blackbird 1.

First year Kingfisher

Male Firecrest



The Lapland Bunting found at Bishopstone yesterday was still there today.

 

Lapland Bunting - Alex Perry

 

This morning between 0700 and 1030 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the railway embankment. He saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Snipe, 70 Swallows W, 6 Song Thrushes, 33 Skylarks, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechats, 45 Robins, 1 Reed Warbler, 38 Blackcaps, 72 Chiffchaffs, 45 Goldcrests, 7 Cetti;s Warblers, 32 Goldfinches W, 16 Siskins W and 2 Yellowhammers.

 

Yellowhammer - Derek Smith

 

September 29th
We spent a mild and overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2,500 House Martins and 210 Swallows flying SW, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Kestrels, 3 Siskins, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Wheatear, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldcrests, 6 Blackcaps, 9 Skylarks, 30 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Birds ringed 22: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 4, Goldcrest 3, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Blackcap 5, Robin 2, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0830 and 1130 and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and Potten Street. He saw 1,000+ House Martins flying SW, 1 Common Redstart, 8 Blackcaps, 35 Chiffchaffs and 45 Goldcrests.
This morning Jim Bloor found a Lapland Bunting below the steps at Bishopstone Glen.

September 28th
We arrived at Shuart just as it was getting light and after the overnight rain had moved through for a morning's ringing. The highlight of the morning was initially hearing and then seeing a female/first year Common Rosefinch (190th) in a hawthrorn bush. It called repeatedly for five minutes whilst in the bush and was then seen sitting at the top of another bush before it flew south. This is only the second Reculver record following one in late August 1990.
Other birds seen included 2 Tree Pipits, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 26 Blackcaps, 6 Goldcrests, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Mallard, 56 Skylarks, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 12 Swallows, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 200 House Martins W.

Birds ringed 43: Long-tailed Tit 2, Goldcrest 1, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Blackcap 14, Reed Bunting 10, Goldfinch 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Robin 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 3, Song Thrush 3.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 122 Swallows W, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Kestrels, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Stonechat, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Gannets, 1 Turnstone, 600 House Martins W, 3 Grey Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Common Buzzard.

September 27th
We spent the morning ringing south of the railway where we saw 3 Grey Herons, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Partridge, 15 Meadow Pipits, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzard, 27 Skylarks, 2 Blackcaps, 43 Linnets, 40 Reed Buntings, 4 Lapwings W, 16 Blue Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Birds ringed 31: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 2, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 18, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 3.

There were also 2 Coal Tits in our garden at Bishopstone this morning.
After lunch we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then back along the Green Wall. We saw a good range of species including 2 Kestrels, 28 Chiffchaffs, 5 Robins, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Siskin, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Firecrests, 1 juvenile Ruff, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Redshank, 3 Rock Pipits, 12 Gannets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 "continental" Song Thrushes, 1 Swallow and 2 Goldcrests.

Juvenile Ruff

 

Tree Pipit

 

September 26th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm before visiting Reculver on the way home. We counted 16 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 15 Skylarks, 5 Goldcrests, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 39 Mallard, 10 Sandwich Terns, 14 Blue Tits, 8 Great Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Little Egrets, 48 Goldfinches, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 25 Common Scoter E, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blackcaps,1 Golden Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 2 Teal and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Chiffchaff

Derek Smith spent the morning walking from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour and then back via Plumpudding and Brooksend. His final totals were 6 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 35 Skylarks W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Stonechats, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 66 Chiffchaffs, 75 Goldcrests, 22 Corn Buntings and 2 Yellowhammers E.

Common Redstart

September 25th
Although cloudy, the rain held off this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour via the Green Wall. We saw 23 Chiffchaffs, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 48 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 1 Willow Warbler, 22 Goldfinches, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Reed Buntings, 60 House Sparrows, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 3 Gannets E, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Snipe, 8 Skylarks, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Golden Plover.
David and June Elliott took an afternoon walk from Chambers Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard still lots of Chiffchaff and best of all a Common Redstart.
 

September 24th
On yet another glorious morning we birded Chamber's Wall, the White Poplars, Coldharbour and Reculver and saw 23 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets E, 8 Robins, 99 Linnets, 21 Skylarks, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Grey Plovers, 14 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 1 male Stonechat, 23 Mute Swans, 18 Goldfinches, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Ringed Plovers, 23 Carrion Crows, 6 Blackcaps, 15 Reed Buntings, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Swallows, 5 Mallard and 1 Green Woodpecker.
Derek Smith completed his regular early morning walk from Shuart and along the railway embankment and saw 1 Greenshank E, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Pied Flycatcher (189th), 450 Starlings W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat, 5 Blackcaps, 76 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 53 Goldcrests, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 34 Blue Tits, 1 Siskin W and 8 Corn Buntings. He also saw nine species of butterfly: Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Common Blue, Comma and Clouded Yellow.

Clouded Yellow

Chris Sear was also out and walked from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour and recorded 14 Wigeon, 1 male Common Redstart and 1 Wheatear.

Male Common Redstart - Chris Sear

Wigeon - Chris Sear



September 23rd
It was a bit quieter than yesterday as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm before returning by way of the White Poplars. We did see 15 House Martins W, 15 Chiffchaffs, 20 Chaffinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Swallows W, 42 Mallard, 17 Mute Swans, 29 Reed Buntings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Corn Buntings, 60 House Sparrows, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 8 Cormorants, 22 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Coot and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
As we arrived home we had a Coal Tit calling in the garden and Marc Heath also saw 2 in Bishopstone Glen.
This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment and saw several hundred hirundines of all three species flying W as well as seeing 9 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 38 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Stonechat.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson found 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Sandwich Terns and 9 high flying Grey Herons.

September 22nd
We spent a glorious early autumn morning ringing at Shuart where we saw a good range of species including 3 Kestrels, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 30 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Reed Warblers, 18 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Siskins W, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Reed Buntings, 40 Goldfinches, 2 Common Buzzards, 19 Lapwings, 10 Skylarks, 1 "continental" Song Thrush and 55 Linnets.

Birds ringed 95: Long-tailed Tit 18, Chiffchaff 11, Goldcrest 3, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 2, Blue Tit 5, Reed Bunting 25, Great Tit 4, Whitethroat 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Blackcap 10, Goldfinch 3, Robin 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 3, Green Woodpecker 1.

Grasshopper Warbler

This morning Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0630 and walked along the railway embankment and back via Coldharbour. He counted 18 Skylarks W, 1 Peregrine, 28 Meadow Pipits W, 6 Grey Wagtails W, 9 Pied Wagtails W, 1 Whitethroat, 32 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Coal Tit which appeared to have a greyish back, 36 Chaffinches W and 1 Siskin W.

Grey Wagtails

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and sat on the beach for an hour. We saw 1 Common Redstart, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 25 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver, 1 Merlin, 24 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Rock Pipits W, 7 Wigeon, 2 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Sanderling, 1 immature male Eider and 6 Corn Buntings.

September 21st
It was sunny and milder this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then the White Poplars before looking in at Reculver on the way home. We recorded 27 Chiffchaffs, 8 Chaffinches, 5 Swallows, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Kestrels, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 21 Goldfinches, 8 high flying Dunnocks, 26 Reed Buntings, 1 Sedge Warbler, 35 Mallard, 1 Golden Plover, 28 Linnets, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Redshank, 65 House Sparrows, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 34 Carrion Crows, 4 Oystercatchers, 21 Mute Swans, 14  Skylarks, 1 Siskin, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Dunnock

September 20th
We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh and saw 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 24 Golden Plovers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 14 Linnets, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Siskins W, 1,000 Swallows W, 1,500 House Martins W, 7 Greenfinches, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Chaffinches, 45 Reed Buntings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels, 2 Hobbies W, 1 Common Buzzard and 6 Skylarks W.

Birds ringed 54: Wren 2, Goldcrest 1, Chiffchaff 9, Reed Bunting 32, Linnet 1, Blackcap 2, Robin 1, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 3.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding this morning and counted several thousand Swallows and House Martins moving W. He also saw 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Hobby, 43 Meadow Pipits W, 47 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 106 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 26 Goldcrests and 28 Corn Buntings.

Firecrest - Derek Smith

Juvenile Hobby - Derek Smith

Terry Wilson also saw 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Coldharbour.

September 19th
We spent a chilly morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 3 Kestrels, 3 Common Buzzards, 20 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 15 Goldcrests, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Siskin, 24 Lapwings NW, 24 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Mute Swans, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Firecrests and 19 Swallows.

Birds ringed 39: Goldcrest 11, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 9, Firecrest 2, Blackcap 10, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1.



Firecrest

 

At 1130 Terry Laws saw a Great White Egret flying W at Reculver. This is our second record of the year following one at Netherhale in May.

This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and found 1 Common Redstart, 20 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 51 Sanderling, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 1 Guillemot, 10 Swallows, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua, 5 Turnstone, 123 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Grey Partridges, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat,  and our first 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 summer plumaged Red-throated Divers  of the autumn.

September 18th
The morning began very well at Chamber's Wall as we immediately found a good bird in the shape of a Dusky Warbler (188th). As I walked into the field from the car park a phylloscopus warbler flew into the bushes and began calling a repeated harsh "tip - tip - tip." It then appeared on a bare branch for a few seconds still calling and giving an excellent, if brief view, before going deeper into the bush. It called a bit more and then appeared to carry on down the line of bushes not to be seen again. This is the earliest Reculver record of this species and a week earlier than one on 25th September 2001 also at Chamber's Wall and is also the tenth record for Reculver and my seventh.
Other birds seen on our walk to Coldharbour and the Green Wall included 25 Chiffchaffs, 11 Goldfinches, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Marsh Harrier, 66 Swallows W, 22 Reed Buntings, 69 Linnets, 60 House Sparrows, 17 Corn Buntings, 42 Oystercatchers, 9 Dunlin, 10 Little Egrets, 1 Knot, 1 Little Stint, 2 Redshank, 36 Mallard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Wigeon, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 16 House Martins W, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Little Stint

September 17th
It was overcast and slightly drizzly this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour before looking at Reculver bushes on the way home. We counted 12 Chaffinches, 28 Chiffchaffs, 9 Mute Swans, 4 Goldcrests, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Stonechats, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 6 Corn Buntings, 30 Reed Buntings, 120 Linnets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (187th) briefly in the bushes by the Hog's Fennel at Coldharbour. We also met Tony Swandale who had seen similar birds to us but in addition had found 2 Ruff.

Stonechat

September 16th
On a sunny and cool morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the White Poplars. We counted 41 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Blackcaps, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 14 Blue Tits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Chaffinches, 11 Mute Swans, 20 Mallard, 1 Golden Plover, 175 Linnets, 3 Kestrels, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Dunlin, 9 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Swallows, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 first winter Knot, 3 Redshank, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Kingfisher, 11 Pink-footed Geese W, 1 Wigeon and 5 Grey Partridges.
Coincidentally Landguard Bird Observatory, Suffolk had their first Pink-footed Geese fly over this morning. These were also a flock of 11, so it seems likely that they were the same as the Reculver birds with Landguard being only 39 miles to the north.

First year Knot

Five of the eleven Pink-footed Geese

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0630 and 1230 and walked from Shuart, along the railway embankment and returned via Plumpudding. He saw 34 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Kingfisher, 35 Swallows W, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 70 Chiffchaffs, 35 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 25 Goldcrests.

September 15th
On a calmer and sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 Hobby. 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Kestrels, 76 Linnets, 11 Little Egrets, 37 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 14 Corn Buntings, 9 Sandwich Terns, 9 Turnstone, 1 Arctic Skua W, 4 Ringed Plovers, 15 Reed Buntings, 20 Mute Swans, 1 immature male Eider, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Goldcrests, 8 Swallows and 1 Grey Heron.

Arctic Skua

Derek Smith was also out this morning and covered the eastern half of the Marsh between 0630 and 1130. He counted 11 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Common Buzzards, 7 Snipe W, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Wheatear, 78 Blackcaps, 4 Reed Warblers, 110 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 23 Goldcrests and 3 Corn Buntings. Later he walked up to Brooksend and added 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 1 Hobby, 2 Wheatears, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 25 Chiffchaffs.

Bar-tailed Godwit - Derek Smith

Spotted Flycatcher - Derek Smith

September 14th
On a cool and blustery morning we ringed at one of our sheltered sites at Reculver where we saw 30 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Sparrowhawks, 40 Blackcaps, 23 Goldcrests, 1 Willow Warbler, 19 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Birds ringed 45: Goldcrest 12, Chiffchaff 8, Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 23.

Male Goldcrest

After ringing we spent half an hour at the Towers but only saw 1 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua E, 1 Sandwich Tern and 14 Meadow Pipits flying in off the sea.
Derek Smith walked from Reculver to Coldharbour between 0700 and 0830 and counted 8 Little Egrets, 42 Ringed Plovers, 26 Sanderling, 18 Sand Martins W and 3 Wheatears.
This afternoon Matt and Marion walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where they had a seawatch. They saw 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 16 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Terns, 1 Purple Sandpiper W, 1 immature male Eider, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Gannet, 10 Great Skuas, 1 Common Tern, 1 Knot and 1 Kingfisher.

September 13th
An hour long seawatch at the Towers this morning produced 2 Shags W (186th), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Sandwich Terns, 13 Common Terns W, 80 Ringed Plovers, 40 Turnstone, 10 Sanderling, 1 adult male Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and 8 House Martins W out at sea.

September 12th
We spent a sunny but breezy morning ringing at Reculver and saw 2 Willow Warblers, 40 Chiffchaffs, 16 Mute Swans, 24 Mallard, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Siskin, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 40 Blackcaps, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 12 Goldcrests, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 45 House Martins, 65 Swallows, 2 Coal Tits, 5 Golden Plovers, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Kingfisher.

Birds ringed 60: Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 20, Goldcrest 8, Long-tailed Tit 3, Blackcap 22, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 2, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 1.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the railway embankment between 1230 and 1530. He counted 6 Common Buzzards, 5 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Redstart, 5 Blackcaps, 1 juvenile Red-backed Shrike, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler and 35 Chiffchaffs.

Juvenile Red-backed Shrike - Derek Smith

September 11th
Back on home soil this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and saw 190 Swallows W, 252 House Martins W, 1 Sand Martin W, 1 adult Peregrine, 1 Grey Heron, 25 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sedge Warbler, 72 Mallard, 11 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 53 Linnets, 1 Corn Bunting, 13 Sandwich Terns, 41 Ringed Plovers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 immature male Eider and 1 Tree Pipit.

Latvia and Estonia - September 5th-10th
As regular readers of this site will have realised I have not been updating it for the last week, although I have now. This is because Anne and I have spent the time travelling around Estonia and Latvia where we saw a reasonable range of species including Great White Egrets, White-tailed Eagles, 1 juvenile Goshawk, 2 Caspian Terns, Black Woodpeckers, 2 Nutcrackers, Woodlarks and Crested Tits. We also visited Kabli Ringing Station where the ringing season had only just begun.

Kabli Ringing Station Heligoland trap

Nigula bog

Parnu

Common Cranes

September 7th
Julian Perry found 2 juvenile Red-backed Shrikes (185th) on the embankment between Plumpudding and Chamber's Wall.

Juvenile Red-backed Shrike - Julian Perry

September 6th
During the afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where he sat on the beach and recorded 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Sandpiper, 87 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 4 Black Terns, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Gannets, 1 Little Tern, 1 Manx Shearwater E (184th), 12 Little Egrets and 50 Golden Plovers.

September 5th
This morning Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 2 Kestrels, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Little Egrets, 55 Sandwich Terns, 50 Common Terns, 13 Black Terns, 2 Little Terns, 4 Arctic Terns (182nd), 2 juvenile Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Gannet, 1 Sanderling, 1 Eider, 1 Curlew, 300 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Whinchat.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding lagoon between 0700 and 0930 and recorded 1 Whimbrel, 45 Ringed Plovers, 32 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Blackcaps, 6 Reed Warblers, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Whinchat and 5 Wheatears.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 12 Little Egrets, 30 Turnstones and 2 Black Terns.
During the afternoon Matt was out again and had an Osprey (183rd) flying W along over the seawall before flying inland.

September 4th
On a drizzly morning Matt walked at Reculver and saw 4 alba wagtails, 40 Sandwich Terns, 8 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 8 Grey Partridges, 50 Goldfinches, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Golden Plovers 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Sand Martins, 3 Swifts, 2 Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 94 Ringed Plovers, 18 Sanderling , 2 Dunlin, 20 Turnstone, 350 Swallows W,  9 Sand Martins, 1 immature male Eider, 2 Kingfishers, 5 Corn Buntings, 80 House Martins W,  15 Common Scoter, 7 Black Terns, 35 Common Terns, 1 Snipe, 5 Teal, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Whinchat and 1 Willow Warbler.

September 3rd
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Jay, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Goldcrests, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Swallows, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Greenfinches, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 1 Wheatear, 1 Marsh Harrier, 28 Lapwings, 5 Golden Plovers, 4 House Martins, 80 Linnets and 12 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 16: Chiffchaff 4, Goldcrest 2, Blackcap 6, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Whitethroat 1.

First year Whitethroat

Between 0600 and 1115 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 1 Eider, 14 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Marsh Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 36 Sandwich Terns, 1 Snipe, 17 Golden Plovers, 2 Greenshank, 18 Sanderling, 28 Ringed Plovers, 35 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 450 Swallows W, 8 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 9 Reed Warblers, 8 Sedge Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers and 4 Corn Buntings.

September 2nd
We had intended to have a ringing session on the Marsh this morning but it was too breezy so we decided to go for a birdwatch instead. We arrived at Chamber's Wall at 0645 and walked up to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. We found an excellent array of species including 80 House Sparrows, 2 Kestrels, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Teal, 1 Wheatear, 31 Sandwich Terns, 73 Mallard, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Redshank, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Golden Plover, 33 Common Terns, 6 Corn Buntings, 3 Oystercatchers, 15 Goldfinches, 5 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 immature male Eider, 4 Little Terns, 1 adult Little Gull, 5 Common Scoter, 42 Ringed Plover, 1 Great Skua, 2 Turnstone, 1 adult Knot, 32 Carrion Crows, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Greenshank, 1 Tree Pipit, 6 adult Great Black-backed Gulls flying W, 6 Blackcaps and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

First year Wheatear

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0600 and 1000 and covered the eastern end of the Marsh from Shuart, along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Marsh Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 20 Sandwich Terns, 14 Lapwings, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit E, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 7 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

September 1st
We spent this morning ringing at Shuart and saw a good range of species including 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Jays, 1 Raven, 1 Snipe, 2 Tree Pipits W, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Blackcaps, 40 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 31 Lapwings, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Greenshanks, 80 Linnets, 3 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 8 House Martins, 11 Swallows and 1 Curlew.

Birds ringed 28: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 2, Goldfinch 7, Blackcap 5, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 2, Linnet 3, Blackbird 1.

I also received notification today concerning a Whitethroat we ringed on the Marsh on 13th August that was controlled at Icklesham, East Sussex on 24th August. It had flown 65 km SW.