August 31st
We spent another morning ringing, this time at Shuart, where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 11 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Mallard, 4 Willow Warblers, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Marsh Harrrier, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 35 Linnets, 27 Goldfinches, 18 Reed Warblers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Kestrels, 1 Whinchat, 25 Swallows, 6 Sedge Warblers and 20 House Martins.

Birds ringed 39: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 2, Whitethroat 6, Sedge Warbler 4, Reed Warbler 18, Blue Tit 1, Robin 1, Chaffinch 2, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 2
  
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall and sat on the beach at Coldharbour for a while. Birds we saw included 150 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 14 Sandwich Terns, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Common Sandpipers and 1 Grey Heron.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend this afternoon between 1500 and 1800 and recorded 5 Whinchats, 9 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 male Common Redstart, 2 Whitethroats and 1 Willow Warbler. He also found 26 Willow Emerald Damselflies.
Chris Tedder was at Bishopstone Glen this afternoon and recorded 36 Common Sandpipers flying E in 3 groups. Other birds she saw included 4 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Grey Heron W.

Common Sandpipers

August 30th
After yesterday's washout we had an excellent morning ringing at Reculver south of the railway. We saw 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Whinchat, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Common Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers, 20 Whitethroats, 10 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Linnets and 7 Swallows.

Birds ringed 36: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 4, Whitethroat 10, Sedge Warbler 4, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 3, Common Redstart 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Yellow Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 6, Dunnock 1, Corn Bunting 1, Blackbird 1

First year male Common Redstart

First year Yellow Wagtail

Moulting female Corn Bunting

This afternoon Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and counted 5 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, 1 Little Egret, 5 Sandwich Terns, 3 Whinchats, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Buzzard and 6 Grey Partridges.

August 29th
We managed an hour's ringing at Shuart before the rain arrived and we had to pack up. We didn't see a great deal just 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Mallard, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Willow Warblers, 45 Lapwings, 6 Blackcaps and 10 Whitethroats.

Birds ringed 18: Willow Warbler 1, Whitethroat 6, Reed Warbler 5, Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 4, Blue Tit 1

Derek Smith was out this morning walking from Shuart along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and Plumpudding in the pouring rain. In four hours he recorded 82 Lapwings, 5 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Blackcaps, 16 Reed Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Whitethroats and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.
During the afternoon, after the rain,  Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 3 Wheatears, 1 Fulmar, 6 Sandwich Terns, 10 Green Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Gannets, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Kingfisher.
Chris Tedder was also out this afternoon and recorded 1 Kingfisher, 2 Wheatears, 1 Snipe W, 4 Gannets E, 7 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 140 Linnets, 15 Goldfinches, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers and 1 Grey Partridge.

Common Seal - Chris Tedder

August 28th
It was overcast and calm with the tide out this morning as we completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm. We saw 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Reed Warblers, 53 Linnets, 5 Sedge Warblers, 71 Mallard, 3 Whitethroats, 17 Redshank, 2 Tufted Duck, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 12 Oystercatchers, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Snipe, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 65 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 6 Goldfinches, 5 Swallows W, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and 76 Golden Plovers.
At Reculver this afternoon Chris Tedder recorded 4 Whinchats, 5 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 47 Mallard, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Sandwich Tern and 3 Ruff at the outflow at Reculver.

August 27th
There was little to be seen on a blustery morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. All we counted was 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 15 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 9 Little Egrets, 13 Sandwich Terns, 14 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Wheatear, 12 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 43 Carrion Crows and 1 Willow Warbler.
During the afternoon Chris Tedder saw 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Snipe W, 27 Golden Plovers, 36 Mallard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Sandwich Tern and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

August 26th
With an increasingly blustery south wind blowing this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 65 House Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Goldfinches, 69 Linnets, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Gadwall, 21 Oystercatchers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 11 Swallows SW, 6 Redshank, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 male Ruff at the Wantsum ouflow before it flew W, 9 Cormorants, 1 Curlew and 1 Grey Heron.
Dave Smith also had a Swift fly past the Towers this morning and saw 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Male Ruff

Derek Smith was also birding this morning and between 0600 and 1000 walked from Shuart along the embankment and on to Plumpudding. It was particularly good before 0800 by which time most birds had moved through. He saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Turtle Doves, 14 Dunlin, 3 Golden Plovers, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Sand Martins W, 18 Blackcaps, 14 Reed Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 41 Whitethroats, 9 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Redstart and 6 Corn Buntings.

Recently fledged juvenile Blackcap - Derek Smith

August 25th
This morning there was a chilly and blustery WNW blowing as we had a half hour look from the Towers before walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 8 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Terns, 10 Oystercatchers, 47 Redshank, including a tight flock of 40 flying W, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Warbler, 87 Linnets, 8 Mute Swans, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling, 1 Swallow W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Heron.
Derek Smith was also out at Shuart and recorded 65 Lapwings, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler and 4 Chiffchaffs.

August 24th
We didn't get out until the afternoon as this morning we drove to Gatwick to collect Matt and Marion who had just returned from an eighteen day birding and wildlife trip to Namibia.
It was very quiet at Reculver this afternoon as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. All we saw was 1 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 13 Ringed Plovers, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 juvenile Cuckoo flying E over the sea.
We also met Chris Tedder at Coldharbour and she saw some of the birds we saw and in addition 12 Sandwich Terns W, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Curlews W and 67 Golden Plovers.

Ringed Sandwich Tern - Chris Tedder

At Plumpudding lagoon Terry Wilson counted 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Whimbrel, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 Wheatear, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Sanderling and 1 Peregrine.

August 23rd
It was breezy and mainly overcast this morning as we walked alond the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 8 Swallows W, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Redshank, 24 Linnets, 12 Turnstone, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Ringed Plovers, 5 Wheatears, 14 Cormorants, 41 Carrion Crows, 2 Mallard, 1 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Whithteroat, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Whimbrel W, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Kingfisher.

Linnet

 This afternoon Chris Tedder walked along the seawall at Reculver and recorded 2 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, 71 Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine, 26 Whimbrel flying W and 1 Wheatear.

Whinchat - Chris Tedder

This morning I received information about a male Reed Warbler we ringed at Shuart on 13th June 2018 and was controlled at Icklesham, East Sussex on 12th August which is 66 km SW.

August 22nd
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 3 Mallard, 1 Whimbrel, 250 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Mute Swans, 12 Reed Warblers, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 54 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Teal, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Dunlin, 11 Swallows W and 1 Lapwing.
Chris Tedder visited Bishopstone Glen this afternoon and saw a Pied Flycatcher briefly as well as 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs. Later at Reculver she recorded 10 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a covey of 14 Grey Partridges.

Pied Flycatcher - Chris Tedder

Wheatear - Chris Tedder

August 21st
This morning was calm, humid and mainly cloudy as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 1 Fulmar E, 5 Sandwich Terns, 19 Golden Plovers, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Little Egrets, 6 Turnstone, 3 Green Sandpipers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Common Sandpipers, 12 Cormorants, 7 Linnets, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Dunlin, 9 Swallows, 2 Little Terns flying E, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Oystercatcher and 5 Snipe.
This afternoon after collecting my car from its first service we drove over to Chamber's Wall. On the way, at St Nicholas-at-Wade, there were 60 Swallows gathered in a tight group on telephone wire whilst at Chamber's Wall we saw 1 Spotted Flycatcher (172nd), 1 Hobby, 4 Swallows W and 1 Grey Heron.

Spotted Flycatcher

This morning at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 6 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, 35 Ringed Plovers and 3 Sandwich Terns.

Dunlin - Terry Wilson

This afternoon just  before the end of the path from Chambers Wall and the start of the sea wall by Coldharbour Chris Tedder found 2 Pied Flycatchers and also had a couple of Hobbies. Migrant Hawkers seemed to be everywhere and she also had a Common Darter, a couple of Ruddy Darters, Emperor Dragonfly, a Willow Emerald Damselfly, and a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Pied Flycatcher - Chris Tedder

August 20th
It was overcast and virtually windless this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm. We counted 21 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 7 Whitethroats, 7 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Coot, 10 Little Egrets, 45 Linnets, 12 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 8 Cormorants, 17 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Snipe, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Willow Warbler.

Dunlin

August 19th
On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and sat on the beach for half an hour. Birds we saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 35 House Sparrows, 16 House Martins W, 66 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 7 Swallows W, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Ringed Plovers, 11 Swifts W, 11 Turnstone, 15 Sanderling, 33 Oystercatchers, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Kestrel, 1 Coot and 4 Goldfinches.
This evening Derek Smith sat on the beach at Plumpudding for an hour and recorded 2 Common Sandpipers, 10 Whimbrel flying S, 6 Sandwich Terns E and 3 Yellow Wagtails feeding on insects on the seaweed.

Sanderling moulting into winter plumage

Juvenile Tufted Duck

August 18th
The bushes and the reeds were very quiet this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and at Reculver. We did manage to see 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 39 Linnets, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 9 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 juvenile Cuckoo.
Derek Smith was out at 0630 and spent the next three hours birding as far as Brooksend. He recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 35 Swallows, 13 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps. He also found 2 Willow Emerlad Damselflies and 2 male Ruddy Darters.

August 17th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 17 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Snipe, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 45 Carrion Crows, 3 Common Terns W, 1 Whimbrel W, 20 Linnets, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Ringed Plovers, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Yellow Wagtail. We also saw 1 Wall Brown.

Wall Brown

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0630 and 0930 he walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the embankment. He counted 5 Whimbrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 18 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 15 Reed Warblers, 4 Willow Warblers and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

August 16th
It was mild and blustery this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Oyster Farm lagoons and recorded 7 Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 58 Linnets, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Redshank, 1 Buzzard, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Coot, 3 Dunlin, 5 House Martins W, 11 Swallows W, 2 Swifts W, 2 Oystercatchers, 29 Mallard, 48 Carrion Crows, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 1 juvenile Stonechat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cormorants and 1 Kestrel.

August 15th
It was dull this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Whitethroats, 7 Mallard, 31 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Sedge Warblers, 11 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Whimbrel, 12 Swallows W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 1 juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Turnstone, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Common Buzzard.
We met Terry Wilson at Coldharbour and he had just walked from Minnis Bay and in addition to what we saw recorded 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 1 Peregrine.

Today I received the ringing information about an adult male Sedge Warbler we mist netted at Reculver Marshes on 15th July 2018. It had been ringed as an adult male at Plaisance, Saint-Froult, Charente-Maritime, FRANCE on 12th August 2016. This site is 629 km SSW of Reculver.

August 14th
On a sunny and breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 3 Pied Wagtails, 17 Linnets, 5 Cormorants, 9 Oystercatchers, 21 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Goldfinches, 11 Swallows W, 2 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Whimbrel SW, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Whinchat, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew and 50 House Sparrows. We also saw 2 Wall Browns on the Roman wall at Reculver.

Wheatear

Marc Heath was also out this morning at 0530 and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and recorded 9 Oystercatchers, 7 Cormorants, 12 Swallows, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Owl, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 10 Meadow Pipits, 83 Mallard, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, 2 Pheasants, 5 Reed Warblers, 9 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 60 Linnets, 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 4 Sedge Warblers, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Golden Plovers and 1 Hobby.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 12 Turnstone, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Dunlin, 32 Oystercatchers and 1 Greenshank.

August 13th
We birdwatched at Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour this morning and managed to see 1 Kestrel, 14 Reed Warblers, 12 Mute Swans, 15 Whitethroats, 61 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 9 Sedge Warblers, 6 Little Egrets, 17 Mallard, 43 Carrion Crows, 4 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Jays.

View towards Reculver Towers from the Green Wall

August 12th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour. We saw 46 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Mute Swans, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 72 Mallard, 13 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Teal, 1 Turnstone, 1 Wheatear, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Redshank, 5 Dunlin and 4 Reed Warblers.

Dunlin

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver at 0600 and walked to Chamber's Wall car park and counted 20 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swallows, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Stock Doves, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Kestrel, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Common Sandpipers, 9 Dunlin, 15 Meadow Pipits, 10 Redshank, 50 Mallard, 10 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Wheatears, 4 Teal, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 10 Reed Warblers, 100 Linnets, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 8 Mute Swans, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 4 Golden Plovers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Ruff W (171st) and 1 Fulmar W.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson found 5 Whimbrel, 25 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Dunlin and 3 Pied Wagtails feeding on the seaweed that has been washed up.

August 11th
It was another sunny but coolish morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We recorded 128 Linnets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Swifts, 7 Whitethroats, 17 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Sedge Warblers, 12 Little Egrets, 5 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 3 Golden Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Dunlin, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Coot and 31 Carrion Crows.
Derek was out during the afternoon at at very busy Reculver and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and Plumpudding lagoon. He counted 7 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrines, 1 adult and 1 juvenile, 12 Sandwich Terns, 8 Dunlin and 1 Bullfinch. He also found 2 Willow Emerald Damselflies.

Juvenile Peregrine - Derek Smith

August 10th
On a much cooler morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 8 Sand Martins, 4 Pied Wagtails, 7 Wheatears, 6 Goldfinches, 70 House Sparrows, 7 Cormorants, 7 Redshank, 12 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 68 Linnets, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Mallard, 15 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Redshank (170th), 3 Reed Warblers, 32 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 9 Sandwich Terns and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Adult Sandwich Terns

Derek Smith was also out between 0630 and 1030 and walked from Shuart and the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding seeing 1 Peregrine, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Dunlin, 12 Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 2 Curlews, 8 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Swifts S, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 45 Whitethroats, 30 Sedge Warblers, 40 Reed Warblers and 3 Willow Warblers.

August 9th
It was cloudy and cooler this morning with the threat of rain as we left home and a Hobby zipped along the road past the car. We arrived at Chamber's Wall and walked up to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Reed Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 35 Linnets, 2 Sedge Warblers, 12 Little Egrets, 4 Redshank, 7 Sandwich Terns, 5 Turnstone, 32 Ringed Plovers, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cormorants, 34 Carrion Crows, 2 Turtle Doves feeding young in their nest and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

August 8th
After the overnight thunder had cleared through, this morning was ten degrees cooler than yesterday. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and managed to see 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Wheatear, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 adult Common Gulls, 15 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Turnstone, 8 Mallard, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat, 9 Cormorants, 21 Linnets, 1 Gannet E, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Hobby, 2 Reed Warblers and 2 Goldfinches.

Moulting adult Common Gull

Marc Heath walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and on to the Oyster Farm and returned by 0730. He saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Little Egrets, 50 Linnets, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 5 Turnstone, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Common Sandpipers, 3 Wheatears, 3 Sandwich Terns, 7 Mallard, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Common Tern, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Grey Heron.

August 7th
On a hot and humid morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 13 Goldfinches, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 69 Linnets, 4 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Mute Swans, 17 Little Egrets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 4 Golden Plovers, 4 Sandwich Terns, 14 Turnstone, 18 Common Terns W, 21 Ringed Plovers, 11 Meadow Pipits, 3 Teal, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Skylarks, 8 Sedge Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Turtle Doves.
Marc Heath was also out this morning between 0530 and 0945 and walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and on to the Oyster Farm. He saw 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, 31 Whitethroats, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Sedge Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Grey Partridges, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Corn Buntings, 30 Sand Martins, 6 Skylarks, 19 Little Egrets, 5 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Teal, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear and 4 Turnstone.

Today I received an interesting recovery of a juvenile Great Tit we ringed at Shuart on 2nd June 2014. It was found as a road casualty in Worcester 258 km WNW on 13th July 2018. An unexpected movement for what is almost certainly a locally bred bird.

August 6th
On yet another scorcher we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 summer plumaged Golden Plover, 10 Whitethroats, 10 Reed Warblers, 29 Linnets, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Sandwich Terns, 12 Cormorants, 7 Little Egrets, 6 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 16 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatchers, 13 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel and 18 Meadow Pipits.

Turnstones moulting out of summer plumage

During our walk we met Derek Smith who had walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment before visiting Coldharbour and Plumpudding. Between 0600 and 1000 he recorded 1 Whimbrel, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Corn Buntings. He also saw a Clouded Yellow and Wall Brown butterfly.

Juvenile Sedge Warbler - Derek Smith

Clouded Yellow - Derek Smith

Derek was also out this afternoon and walked along the River Wantsum from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 30 Red-eyed Damselflies, 40 Blue-tailed Damselflies, 6 Ruddy Darters and 2 Willow Emerald Damselfies, our first this year. He also saw a Hobby.

Willow Emerald Damselfly - Derek Smith

August 5th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 1 Jay, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 12 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Mallard.

Birds ringed 21: Willow Warbler 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, Wren 3, Reed Warbler 4, Whitethroat 4, Robin 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

First year Lesser Whitethroat

August 4th
With a pleasant, refreshing northerly breeze blowing this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and visited Reculver later. Birds we saw included 8 Goldfinches, 19 Linnets, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 13 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 26 Ringed Plovers, 4 Sanderling, 15 Turnstone, 2 Gannets E, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Reed Warblers, a family group of 15 Grey Partridges, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Jays.
Marc Heath was also out and walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and recorded 4 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Partridge, 23 Little Egrets, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Dunlin, 21 Ringed Plovers, 16 Turnstone, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Curlew, 7 Swallows, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Derek Smith also walked around the area this morning and birds he saw included 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a few Willow Warblers and 1 Little Owl.

Little Owl - Derek Smith

August 3rd
On a morning that was very warm by 0730 we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 6 Goldfinches, 59 Linnets, 26 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Green Sandpiper, 19 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 1 Willow Warbler, 12 Cormorants, 1 Whinchat, 3 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Whimbrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 16 Turnstone, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 4 Sanderling, 11 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Curlew, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 1 Greenshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Jays and Sparrowhawk.
This evening Matt found 7 Pied Flycatchers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 juvenile Cuckoo.

Pied Flycatcher

August 2nd
On yet another beautiful, sunny morning we arrived at Chamber's Wall and then walked up to the Oyster Farm. The first bird we saw was a Pied Flycatcher (169th) in the bushes at the car park and then other birds included 19 Whitethroats, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Greenfinch, 54 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 13 Little Egrets, 1 Mallard, 15 Reed Warblers, 11 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 29 Ringed Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 3 Common Sandpipers, 31 Carrion Crows, 4 Swallows W and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Pied Flycatcher

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0500 and 0900 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He counted 2 Marsh Harriers, 36 Little Egrets, 15 Sand Martins W, 15 Willow Warblers, 7 Common Sandpipers and 4 Yellow Wagtails.

August 1st
On a beautiful morning with the tide going out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 25 Linnets, 6 Cormorants, 4 Pied Wagtails, 40 House Sparrows, 10 Redshank, 1 Little Owl, 85 Sand Martins, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Oystercatchers, 12 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Gannet, 1 Teal, 44 Carrion Crows, 10 Mallard, 2 Coot, adult and juvenile, 4 Gadwall, 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers and 10 Meadow Pipits.
We also found 1 Clouded Yellow and 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.