March 31st
On a showery and cool morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. We saw 1 Brambling, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellowhammer, 6 Mallard, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Little Egret, 14 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Redshank, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Wheatears, 6 males and 1 female sitting on the new fence at Coldharbour and 14 Corn Buntings.
Marc Heath was also out and his highlights were 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Wheatears, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Black Redstart and 1 Sand Martin W (135th) at the Towers.

Wheatear - Marc Heath

March 30th
This morning we met Matt at Reculver and walked around the area before walking up to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Wheatear (133rd) , 41 Red-throated Divers W, 1 Kingfisher (134th), 4 alba Wagtails, 14 Meadow Pipits, 10 Shelduck, 11 Goldfinches, 11 Linnets, 1 Gannet E, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Curlew, 11 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 2 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Tufted Ducks, 19 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2 Coot, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest.

Our first male Wheatear of the year - Marc Heath

Derek Smith and Patrick Giles were also out this morning and covered the east end of the Marsh between 0700 and 1100. Their highlights were 2 Fulmars W, 1 Peregrine, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Firecrests, 1 Wheatear, 1 Brambling flying N, 1 Blackcap and 9 Chiffchaffs.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 3 Curlews, 5 Turnstone, 23 Redshank, 6 Grey Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 10 Oystercatchers and 30 Common Scoter.

March 29th
It was nice to be back at Reculver on a calm, cold but sunny morning. We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 3 Pied Wagtails, 21 Mute Swans, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Ringed Plovers, 39 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 13 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 56 Carrion Crows, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Curlews, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red Kite W out at sea and 1 male Stonechat

March 28th - Alentejo and Algarve

Male Rock Bunting

During the last week Anne and I have been in Portugal doing a spot of birding, unfortunately our break coincided with Storm Hugo with 40 mph winds, showers and cool temperatures. There were very few migrants to be seen which probably explains their lack in the UK. Blackcaps had begun arriving in small numbers on 27th and there were a few Swallows to be seen but generally it was very quiet.
We did however see some excellent birds with the highlight being good views of 2 juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagles being mobbed by a Black Kite. Other birds seen included 8 Great Bustards, 2 Purple Swamphens and 4 Great Spotted Cuckoos.

March 26th
This morning Bob Hinge saw a Black Redstart at the Oyster Farm and 65 Redshank roosting at Plumpudding Lagoon.

March 25th
Matt was out early again and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and also inland at Reculver.  Birds seen were 3 Shags, 2 adults and 1 juvenile, 10 Red throated Divers, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 19 Shelduck, 1 Gannet, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin, 48 Oystercatchers, 8 Magpies high E, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Golden Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Skua E, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 8 Mallard and 2 Coot.

March 24th

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and then returned via the railway embankment. Birds seen were 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Black Redstart, 22 Meadow Pipits E, 3 Red throated Diver, 23 Shelduck, 6 Pied Wagtail, 2 Canada Goose E and then back W, 1 Little Egret, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 4 alba Wagtails E, 1 Grey Plover, 16 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 45 Common Scoter, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Wigeon, 4 Curlew, 2 adult Shags, 48 Brent Geese, 50 Mute Swans, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing and 85 Starlings in off.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Minnis Bay and found 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Gannets E, 2 Canada Geese E, 1 adult Shag, 11 Chiffchaffs, 42 Lapwings, 4 Marsh Harriers, 12 Redwings and 4 Cetti's Warblers.

Black Redstart - Marc Heath

Adult Shag - Marc Heath

 

March 23rd
Matt spent an hour at Reculver this morning and saw 1 Black Redstart on the rocks below the Towers, 3 Red throated Diver and 1 adult Shag on the sea below Towers before flying E.
Derek Smith was also out between 1400 and 1700 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and recorded 130 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Woodcock, 1 adult Shag and 6 Chiffchaffs.


Adult Shag - Derek Smith



Coltsfoot - Derek Smith

March 22nd
Matt was out early and birded most of the western end of the area. He started at Bishopstone and walked to Cold Harbour before returning to Bishopstone on an inland route.  Birds seen were 88 Brent Geese, 19 Shelduck, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Goldcrests, 8 alba Wagtails, 8 Goldfinches, 3 Kestrels, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Curlew, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 20 Fieldfares W, 161 Golden Plovers, 82 Starlings, 2 Little Egrest, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Rock Pipits, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe, 270 Redwings W, 9 Corn Buntings, 1 Cettis Warbler, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Yellowhammers, 4 Siskin W (132nd), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Firecrest, 3 Green Sandpipers, 87 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 1 Coot, 1 Heron, 2 Jays, 6 Grey Partridges and 13 Skylarks.

March 20th
Although still windy it was not as bitter as it has been over the last few days. This morning we had a walk in the Reculver area and recorded 41 Teal, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Gadwall, 4 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Shoveler, 1 male Goosander, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Coot, 100 Woodpigeons, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 51 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Derek Smith was also out this morning birding Shuart, Plumpudding and Minnis Bay. He saw 1 Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 18 Song Thrushes, 40 Blackbirds and 320 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Dave Smith also saw a Firecrest at Bishopstone.

Male Goosander

March 19th
The bitter and strong E wind was still blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We counted 81 Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 12 Shelduck, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 18 Oystercatchers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Redshank and 1 immature Kittiwake flying E.

March 18th
On another freezing morning Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and found 3 Avocets (131st) on the Marsh south of Coldharbour, 1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 20 Reed Buntings, 50 Corn Buntings, 1 Peregrine, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Shelduck, 2 adult Little Gulls, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Marsh Harrier and 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
During the morning one of the local residents found a colour ringed White Stork in the field by the Doctors' Surgery at Bishopstone. It turns out to be a captive bred male from the Swedish reintroduction scheme and was last seen flying towards Plumpudding.

White Strok

March 17th
After yesterday's glorious weather winter returned with a vengeance this morning with a freezing gale force easterly wind blowing in continuous snow. Marc Heath arrived at the Towers for a seawatch at 0645 followed by Matt and then me. Together we stayed there until 0930 and saw the following mainly flying east: 10 Barnacle Geese (128th), 3 Sandwich Terns (129th), 1 Snow Bunting briefly on the rocks, 1 Pintail W, 3 Fulmars, 25 Kittiwakes, 16 Little Gulls, 3 Shoveler W, 12 Teal W, 14 Shelduck W, 12 Wigeon W, 2 Grey Plovers, 160 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Turnstone, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Knot, 3 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Gannet, 1 Great Northern Diver (130th) and 2 Gadwall 2.
The Sandwich Terns were the earliest Reculver record beating the previous 2013 record by three days.

March 16th
On another beautiful spring morning we parked one car at Reculver and then drove the other to Minnis Bay and walked back to Reculver. We saw a good range of species including 212 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Linnets, 4 Stonechats, including 3 striking "continental" birds, 12 Redshank, 23 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 4 "alba" Wagtails W, 45 Common Scoter, 4 Ringed Plovers, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 33 Oystercatchers, 3 adult Little Gulls, 2 W out at sea and 1 inland at the Oyster Farm, 19 Shelduck, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Knot, 10 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Little Egrets, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull W, 35 Carrion Crows, 1 Slavonian Grebe (126th) on the sea off the Green Wall before flying E, 32 Corn Buntings and 11 Turnstone.
Also this morning Mike Puxley found 2 Black Redstarts, including an adult male at Reculver.

Knot

This afternoon we walked inland at Reulver before have a half hour seawatch. We saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Mute Swans, 50 Stock Doves, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Ducks, 6 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 2 Eider (127th) offshore from the Towers and 6 Red-throated Divers.
The fine weather today brought out our first butterfly, a Small Tortoiseshell, as well as flowering Coltsfoot.



Small Tortoiseshell - Derek Smith

Coltsfoot

March 15th
The morning began with heavy rain but had dried up by mid-morning. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Chiffchaff on the rocks at Reculver, 1 Jay, 3 Black Redstarts, including 1 adult male, 134 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Redshank, 2 White Wagtails, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Mute Swans, 87 Cormorants, 20 Oystercatchers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 17 Mallard, 17 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 5 Turnstones, 1 Marsh Harrier, 40 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 40 Common Scoter and 4 Great Crested Grebes.
In the late afternoon Derek Smith found 8 Chiffchaffs between Shuart and Plumpudding.

March 14th
It was a beautiful early spring morning and we saw a good range of species. Matt arrived at Reculver early and later we met him at Chamber's Wall and we all walked up to Coldharbour and along the seawall to The Oyster Farm before visiting Reculver again.
Between us we saw 6 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese (123rd), 24 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 344 Woodpigeons E, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Little Owl, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 79 Corn Buntings, 3 Rock Pipits, 9 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 21 Chaffinches, 63 Cormorants, 9 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Redshank, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Ringed Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 41 Turnstone, 2 Jackdaws W, 2 Kestrels, 44 Carrion Crows, 2 Common Redpolls E (124th), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 75 Grey Plovers, 40 Common Scoter, 2 Bearded Tits, 4 Red Kites (125th) circling over the fields at Brook Lane, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Coot and 1 Grey Heron.

Bearded Tit beside the Wantsum

 

Red Kite

March 13th
For a change we didn't get wet this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. Birds we saw included a very flighty Black Redstart, 242 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Mallard, 23 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 11 Mute Swans, 13 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 2 Gadwall, 20 Shelduck, 14 Teal, 72 Carrion Crows, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 31 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Redshank, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 4 Goldfinches, 5 Tufted Duck and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Black Redstart

Derek Smith was out this evening at the eastern end of the Marsh and recorded 1 White Wagtail, 32 Fieldfares, 5 Grey Herons, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 5 Snipe and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.

March 12th
On another damp morning we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and recorded 161 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 66 Redshank, 42 Turnstone, 107 Sanderling, 2 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 26 Ringed Plovers, 10 Dunlin, 96 Oystercatchers, 5 Curlew, 36 Grey Plovers, 42 Common Scoter, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Sanderling

March 11th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour getting soaked in the process although the rain eased off as we walked back. We saw 6 Mute Swans, 1 Fulmar E, 1 Guillemot W, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Pied Wagtails, 9 Redshank, 8 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 10 Oystercatchers, 19 Mallard, 1 Teal, 13 Common Scoter E, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Shelduck, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 45 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret and 112 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

March 10th
With a mild but blustery S wind blowing this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 Lapwing, 46 Cormorants S, 1 Kestrel, 13 Redshank, 19 Shelduck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Egrets, 16 Mallard, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 55 Carrion Crows, 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and as we drove home 2 Carrion Crows were giving a Raven a hard time as it flew over Reculver Lane.
Marc Heath was out between 0615 and 0930 and re-found the Red-necked Grebe drifting E off the Towers, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 7 Reed Buntings, 2 Lapwings on the beach, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Dunlin, 24 Shelduck, 3 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff in the seawall bushes, 1 Fulmar, 1 Tufted Duck and 1 Yellowhammer W.
Fran Partridge also found a male Bullfinch by the Oyster Farm buildings.

March 9th
On a morning that was virtually windless and gradually got milder we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then back along the railway embankment and the Oyster Farm. We saw 3 Red-throated Divers, the Red-necked Grebe still with 3 Great Crested Grebes offshore, 3 Mute Swans, 17 Mallard, 1 Pied Wagtail, 24 Redshank, 11 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plovers, 14 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstone, 21 Shelduck, 105 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egrets, 60 Carrion Crows, 2 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Dunlin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Yellowhammers, 10 Corn Buntings and 3 Song Thrushes.

March 8th
We arrived at Reculver at 0800 after the overnight rain had moved through and in sunshine but with a strengthening W wind blowing we walked up to Coldharbour. We recorded 40 House Sparrows, 34 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Pied Wagtails W, 9 Mute Swans, 9 Turnstone, 14 Sanderling, 22 Oystercatchers, 13 Shelduck, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flying W (121st) , 70 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew, 6 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Dunlin and 6 Meadow Pipits W.

Ringed Plover

This afternoon we spent 45 minutes at the Towers and almost the first bird we saw was a Red-necked Grebe (122nd) drifting E with 3 Great Crested Grebes. Other birds we saw were 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Shoveler W and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull W.

March 7th
It was wet and misty this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall and back to Shuart. We saw 1 Woodcock, 55 Chaffinches, 1 female Brambling, 20 Corn Buntings, 2 Yellowhammers, 48 Reed Buntings, 6 Mallard, 7 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Pied Wagtails W, 3 Grey Plovers, 3 Stonechats, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 58 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Goldcrest.

March 6th
On a significantly milder morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. Birds we saw included 33 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, 34 Linnets, 49 Shelduck, 13 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers, 3 Pintail, 34 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 30 Corn Buntings, 9 Teal, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Curlew, 3 Ravens flying W over the White Poplars, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 55 Carrion Crows, 40 Common Scoter, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Guillemot, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Tufted Ducks and 1 Grey Heron.

March 5th
This morning we visited Reculver and then we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 130 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Tufted Duck, 10 Mute Swans, 68 Mallard, 1 female Pintail, 20 Chaffinches, 11 Lapwings, 76 Corn Buntings, 2 Little Gulls, adult and first winter, over the fields, 32 Reed Buntings, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Yellowhammers, 2 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Egrets, 62 Mallard, 2 Redshanks, 22 Shelduck, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 72 Carrion Crows and 1 Grey Partridge.

Adult Little Gull

March 4th
After the recent awful weather it felt almost balmy this morning with the sun out and only a light breeze. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and also along the railway embankment and counted 66 Corn Buntings, 22 Chaffinches, 71 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 37 Shelduck, 52 Carrion Crows, 186 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Redshank, 32 Golden Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 9 Skylarks, 1 Curlew, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Shoveler, 30 Reed Buntings and 2 Stonechats.
On our way home we dropped in at Reculver where we saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 3 Pintail, 30 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 1 Woodcock and 1 Cetti's Warbler singing.

March 3rd
This morning at Bishopstone Marc Heath found 2 Firecrests and 1 Bullfinch (119th) whilst Dave Smith had 2 Little Gulls E and 1 Knot.
With a thaw setting in this afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Lapwing, 23 Redshank, 31 Ringed Plovers, 62 Dunlin, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 11 Turnstone, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Sanderling, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Teal, 53 Mallard, 5 Pintail (120th), 32 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Gadwall, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe and 2 Grey Plovers.

March 2nd
With freezing rain making walking and driving treacherous we did not venture out today but Julian and Alex Perry walked down to the beach at Bishopstone and managed to see 13 Red-breasted Mergansers (117th) flying W before their binoculars froze over. Marc Heath also saw 3 Knot (118th) on the beach.

March 1st

Matt was out braving the freezing conditions this afternoon and at Reculver recorded 17 Little Gulls E  made up of 15 adults and 2 juveniles (113th), 7 Kittiwakes E, 2 Scaup (114th), 1 Teal, 1 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover on the rocks by the car park, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelduck W, 2 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (115th), 30 Dunlin E and 1 Redwing in off the sea.
Later he walked inland and saw 33 Snipe, 4 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe (116th), 4 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Teal, 2 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Meadow Pipits, 1 Fieldfare, 600 Woodpigeons, 1 Shoveler, 1 Dunlin and 5 Lapwings.3