May 31st
It was overcast and calm this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 6 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 4 Lapwings, 6 Whitethroats, 19 Mallard, 10 Linnets, 28 Carrion Crows, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Skylarks, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tufted Duck and 3 Goldfinches.

Ringed Plover

May 30th
On a murky and relatively calm morning with low tide at 0745 we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We didn't see a great deal just 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Linnets, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 24 Carrion Crows, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 male Shoveler, 1 Fulmar W and 1 Little Owl.

Sweet Peas by the seawall

May 29th
Because of the thunder, lightning and heavy rain this morning we didn't venture out until after lunch when we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Mallard, 6 Linnets, 4 Mute Swans, 23 Carrion Crows on the beach at Coldharbour, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 4 Gannets W, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whinchat, 1 Swift, 7 Swallows, 1 Cuckoo and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Oystercatcher

May 28th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver and saw 5 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Mallard, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Treecreeper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Reed Warblers and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 23: Chiffchaff 1, Blue Tit 12 pullus, Reed Warbler 5, Chaffinch 1, Whitethroat 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1, Moorhen 1.

Moorhen

May 27th
The adult Rose-coloured Starling was still to be seen at Bishopstone this morning. A number of visiting birders saw it in the trees between Glenbervie Drive and Reculver Drive on either side of Freshlands and even heard it singing.
On a hot and humid morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and saw 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Whinchat, 1 Little Owl, 24 Mallard, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Shelduck, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Redshank, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Lapwings, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 1 first summer Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Sandwich Tern and 6 Gannets flying E.

Whinchat

May 26th
This afternoon I was sitting in my garden with my binoculars hoping for a raptor or two to fly over and while trying to make sure my binoculars were in focus I honed in on a Collared Dove sitting in an evergreen tree at the end of my garden. As I looked at the Collared Dove I noticed a Starling partially hidden by foliage next to it. It appeared to have a jet black head and an unusual sheen on its back which on closer inspection was not shine but pink feathers! It was an adult Rose-coloured Starling (167th) and only the second one to be seen in the Reculver area. I managed to take a few shots against the sky but it soon flew off but Matt refound in another garden about 100 metres away an hour later and it was then seen intermittently until dusk.

Adult Rose-coloured Starling

Back at a misty and drizzly Reculver this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm as the drizzle cleared and the sun came out. We recorded 7 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Skylarks, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Tufted Duck, 8 Mute Swans, 25 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 1 pair of Teal, 24 Carrion Crows, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Turnstone, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Linnets, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gannets E and 1 Common Tern.

Mute Swan family with 1 normal and 1 "Polish" morph cygnet

May 25th - Another day trip to France
With a promising forecast for the day after a misty start we decided to have another trip to northern France visiting Baie de Canche, Sailly-Bray, Crecy Forest and Marquenterre. Unfortunately the whole day turned out to be misty and overcast which probably had a negative effect on singing birds but we did manage to see 2 Cattle Egrets, 3 Great White Egrets, 34 Spoonbills, 11 White Storks, 1 displaying Honey Buzzard, 1 Crested Lark, 1 Crested Tit, 4 Short-toed Treecreepers, 4 Marsh Warblers, 5 Melodious Warblers and 1 Hawfinch in a total of 104 species.

Great White Egret

Spoonbill

May 24th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm and saw 5 Whitethroats, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Mute Swans, including 2 adults with 2 young cygnets one of which was of the Polish morph, 16 Mallard, including a female with 6 ducklings, 2 Redshank, 34 Carrion Crows, 1 Common Scoter E, 4 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Shelduck, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Fulmar E, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 7 House Martins W, 3 Sand Martins and 1 Common Tern.

Whimbrel

May 23rd
On another cool and blustery morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. Birds we saw included 3 Little Egrets, 1 Shelduck, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Terns, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Marsh Harrier, 2 Ringed Plovers, 11 Gannets E, 2 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Tufted Duck, 30 Carrion Crows, 18 Linnets, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Partrdge, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 2 House Martins W, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Swifts W and 1 Little Owl.

May 22nd
There was rain in the air this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour but it remained relatively quiet. We recorded 4 Gannets E, 5 Mediterranean Gulls E, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Swift, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Little Egrets, 13 Sand Martins, 1 Cuckoo, 14 Swallows W, 4 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Terns, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Kestrel.

May 21st
We spent this morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Ravens, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Kestrels, 1 Corn Bunting, 12 Reed Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Grey Heron.

Birds ringed 12: Wren 1, Reed Warbler 6, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 3, Cetti's Warbler 1

Reed Warbler

This morning at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Turnstone and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Great Crested Grebe

May 20th
We spent an overcast morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 1 Cuckoo, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Warbler (166th), 5 Whitethroats, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 1 Jay, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 10 Sand Martins and 12 Swallows.

Birds ringed 14: Great Tit 1, Reed Warbler 3, Marsh Warbler 1, Blackcap 3, Robin 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3

Marsh Warbler

May 19th
Back at Reculver on a beautiful May morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and behind the Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 2 Little Owls, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Whitethroats, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 16 Swallows W, 1 Egyptian Goose E, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turnstone, 5 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Fulmar E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 "alba" Wagtails W, 2 Redshank, 10 Linnets, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Swifts, 1 Red Kite, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Heron and 8 Sand Martins.

May 18th - A Day Trip to France
Today we caught Le Shuttle and visited various sites in Northern France including Guines, Romelaire, Clairmarais and Oye Plage. Our highlights included 2 White Storks, 1 Great White Egret, 4 Spoonbills, 2 Honey Buzzards, 1 Osprey, 1 White-spotted Bluethroat, 7  Marsh Warblers, 1 Icterine Warbler and 6 Short-toed Treecreeper.

May 17th
The blustery wind had moved round more to the NE this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and Plumpudding before returning along the railway embankment. There was still very little moving but we did see 3 Gannets, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ring Ouzel at Chamber's Wall, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Mallard, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Kestrel, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Shelduck, 4 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

May 16th
There was an eye watering, blustery wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 9 Whitethroats, 4 Tufted Duck, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 13 Linnets, 21 Swallows W, 4 Mallard, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 2 Shelduck, 2 Kestrels, 1 Fulmar W, 1 Little Egret, 10 Turnstones, 1 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Terns and 2 Goldfinches.

Common Tern

May 15th
It wasn't quite as blustery as yesterday but there was still a moderate NNW wind blowing this morning as we completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm. There was a bit more to be seen today and we recorded 11 Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Linnets, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 18 Mallard, 15 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Swallows W, 2 House Martins W, 34 Carrion Crows, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Ring Ouzel in bushes by the Chamber's Wall crossing, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Turnstone, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Shelduck, 1 Hobby, 1 Swift W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Skylarks, 2 Common Terns, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Sand Martins and 2 Long-tailed Tits.
This afternoon Marc Heath had 9 Red Kites moving W over Reculver School.
We ventured out again at 1530 and walked inland at Reculver and saw 3 Whitethroats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Sand Martins, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Red Kite W, 1 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
We also found our first 8 Red-eyed Damselflies of the year.

Mating Red-eyed Damselflies

May 14th
There was a blustery NNW wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall to Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 11 Whitethroats, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Linnets, 7 Mallard, 19 Swallows W, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 12 Gannets W then back E, 4 Swifts W, 3 Cuckoos, 2 House Martins W, 1 Kestrel and 2 Grey Herons.

Gannets

May 13th
On an overcast morning with drizzle in the air we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Partridge, 11 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 7 Mallard, 3 Cuckoos, 12 Swallows, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Plovers W, 4 Ringed Plovers, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Linnets, 2 Common Terns, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Common Buzzard.

Cuckoo

May 12th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment and Green Wall. We recorded 2 Fulmars E, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Swift, 17 Whitethroats, 8 Ringed Plovers, 6 Shelduck, 9 Yellow Wagtails, including a female "Channel" Wagtail paired with a male Yellow Wagtail, 9 Linnets, 27 Oystercatchers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 7 Mallard, 2 summer plumaged Dunlin, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Common Terns, 25 Common Scoter, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker and 4 Swallows.

Female Yellow Wagtail

May 11th
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 8 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Common Treecreeper, 2 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swift, 2 Swallows, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Kite flying W and 12 Reed Warblers.
We also saw 2 Hairy Dragonflies and 1 Broad-bodied Chaser.

Birds ringed 16: Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 5, Whitethroat 3, Blackcap 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1.

May 10th
There had been a significant change in the weather overnight with a cool and fresh NW wind blowing in showers as we walked along the seawall at Reculevr. This prompted a moderate westerly movement of hirundines which included a Red-rumped Swallow (164th) flying W with a group of Swallows and House Martins at 0805. This is only the fifth record of the species for the area.
Other birds included 68 Swallows W, 18 House Martins W, 27 Swifts W, 1 Garden Warbler, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Shelduck, 11 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Turnstone, 9 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Ringed Plovers, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Terns, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Curlew, 1 Fulmar E and 2 Little Terns (165th).

May 9th
Matt was out early and his highlight was 2 Mandarin Duck (163rd) flying W at Reculver at 0600. He then walked to Chamber's Wall where we met him and we walked from there along the seawall up to Plumpudding and back to Reculver. Other birds seen included 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Gadwall, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 85 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear, 1 Common Treecreeper, 17 Whitethroats, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 23 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Mallard, 42 Carrion Crows, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Goldfinches, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Swallows, 2 Common Terns, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Fulmar E, 21 Linnets, 23 Common Scoter, 8 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 2 Swifts W, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Cuckoos.

May 8th
With sun still shining brightly we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 15 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches, 7 Shelduck, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 45 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Redshank, 7 Mallard, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers and 1 Sandwich Tern.

Oystercatchers

May 7th
On yet another sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. Birds we saw included 1 Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 16 Whitethroats, 16 Mallard, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Sandwich Terns, 40 Bar-tailed Godwits E, 32 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 31 Turnstone, 116 Sanderling, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Swallows, 3 Common Terns, 2 Grey Partridges, 5 Shelduck, 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 13 Linnets and 13 Mute Swans.
This afternoon 2 Red Kites flew W at Bishopstone.

Sanderling moulting into summer plumage

May 6th
It was another sunny morning but the warmth was tempered by a cool northerly breeze. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm and returned along the Green Wall and railway embankment and recorded 1 Kestrel, 24 Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Lapwing, 12 Linnets, 4 Swallows, 5 Shelduck, 1 Greenshank W, 7 Mallard, 4 Ringed Plovers, 25 Oystercatchers, 26 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Goldfinches, 10 Reed Warblers and 8 Sedge Warblers.
Marc Heath was out early and heard a Wood Sandpiper (162nd) calling over the Oyster Farm lagoons.
On his early morning walk from Shuart to Plumpudding and the railway embankment Derek Smith saw 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Common Tern, 4 Sandwich Terns, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Stonechats, 4 Blackcaps, 33 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 29 Sedge Warblers, 34 Reed Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs and 4 Cetti's Warblers.

Orange Tip - Derek Smith

May 5th
On another beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 1 Kestrel, 12 Whitethroats, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Linnets, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Goldfinches, 12 Oystercatchers, 19 Mallard, including 8 new hatched ducklings, 26 Turnstone, 4 Swallows, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shelduck and 1 Common Treecreeper.

Male Linnet

Derek Smith was out between 0500 and 0900 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. He counted 3 Cuckoos, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 37 Whitethroats, 27 Reed Warblers, 35 Sedge Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Tufted Duck, 17 Shelduck E, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E and a flock of about 70 waders flying high east at around 0730 which were possibly the flock of Black-tailed Godwits seen at Swalecliffe earlier.

May 4th
It was sunny, calm and mild this morning with lots of birds to be seen and heard but with little actually moving through. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment before walking inland at Reculver. Birds we counted included 7 Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 22 Whitethroats, 17 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Cuckoos, 6 Oystercatchers, 7 Swallows, 3 House Martins W, 1 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Gadwall, 10 Turnstones, 7 Mallard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 10 Corn Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Treecreeper singing (161st), 3 Tufted Duck and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Grasshopper Warbler

May 3rd
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Linnets, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Swifts, 6 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 4 House Martins W, 12 Swallows, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Tree Pipit W (160th) and 1 Greenfinch. We also saw a Hairy Dragonfly.

Birds ringed 13: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Whitethroat 4, Chaffinch 1, Blackcap 1, Sedge Warbler 1.

Lesser Whitethroat

Also this morning Bob Hinge saw 1 Turtle Dove at Chambers Wall, 1 Grey Wagtail in the sluice at Reculver, 1 Common Sandpiper on the tiny remnant of land in Coldharbour, 3 Cuckoos and 30 singing Whitethroats on the railway embankment and at Chambers Wall.
Mike Roser was also out and walked the circuit and in addition to Bob Hinge's sightings had 3 Grey Partridges - one on a field margin track and two flushed as he came to the end of the railway section of the wall. He also had the good fortune to catch up with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler on the overgrown and wet Alexanders section behind the Oyster Farm. Two Cuckoos were working the Oyster Farm dykes and the Common Sandpiper was to the rear of Cold Harbour below the shingle bank. He also saw Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites and numerous Peacock butterflies along the railway embankment.
This afternoon at Reculver I found five or six newly emerged Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies.

May 2nd
Matt was out early and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 3 Lesser Whitethroats,  1 Redpoll, 10 Yellow Wagtails W, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Great White Egret (159th) flying E out of Coldharbour lagoon, 37 Goldfinches W, 44 Linnets W, 14 Swallows W, 2 House Martins W, 1 Peregrine and 1 Chiffchaff.

May 1st
After yesterday's storm it dawned sunny this morning to show the damage to the beach between Reculver and Minnis Bay with Coldharbour particularly badly hit and most of the recent work done by the Environment Agency ruined.
Matt was out early and walked at various sites at Reculver and recorded 10 Yellow Wagtails, 22 Goldfinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers,  2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers (158th), 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, 5 Wheatears, 8 Shelduck, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Cuckoo.
We then met him at Chamber's Wall and we walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. Birds we saw included 8 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Willow Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 30 Whitethroats, 25 Goldfinches W, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Wheatears, 11 Swallows, 2 Whimbrel, 37 Linnets, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 alba Wagtail W, 4 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Cuckoo.
Ron Dubbins had a pleasant early morning walk from the Towers to Coldharbour Lagoon and back and among the birds he saw was 1 male Whinchat, 7  Wheatears, 1 male Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling away near the lagoon and along the shoreline 19 Turnstone many in full summer plumage.
This afternoon we had a walk at Shuart and recorded 3 Blackcaps, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Turtle Dove.