September 30th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver south of the railway where we recorded 1 Barn Owl, 2 Redwings, 5 Siskins W, 6 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Kestrels, 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 40 Meadow Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swallow, 1 female Common Redstart, 30 Reed Buntings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Lapwing.

Birds ringed 35: Chiffchaff 5, Robin 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 4, Great Tit 2, Reed Bunting 9, Meadow Pipit 9, Common Redstart 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 2.

Female Common Redstart

This morning between 0730 and 1230 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 4 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 6 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 8 alba Wagtails W, 33 Skylarks W, 3 House Martins and 2 Swallows W, 10 Blackcaps, 56 Chiffchaffs, 44 Siskins W, 13 Goldfinches W, 8 Chaffinches W, 29 Meadow Pipits W and 4 Reed Buntings W.

Yarrow - Derek Smith

Chris Tedder visited Reculver and walked to Coldharbour and back. She saw 2 Rock Pipits, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Sandwich Terns, 147 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher, 51 Turnstone, 15 Ringed Plovers, 74 Mallard and 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver.

Summer plumaged Red-throated Diver - Chris Tedder

Rock Pipit - Chris Tedder

September 29th
This morning the weather had reverted to sunny and calm as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 2 Stonechats, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard, 14 Chaffinches, 3 Swallows, 1 Grey Heron, 16 Corn Buntings, 27 Goldfinches, 1 female Brambling, 3 Teal, 1 Snow Bunting, 46 Carrion Crows, 8 Oystercatchers, 75 Linnets, 3 Snipe, 1 Whinchat, 12 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull seen by Julian and Alex Perry and 1 Golden Plover.

First winter Mediterranean Gull - Alex Perry

Snow Bunting - Alex Perry

Derek Smith and Patrick Giles were also out birding today between 0715 and 1230 and walked from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. They recorded 2 Little Egrets E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 18 Lapwings S, 21 Skylarks W, 6 Pied Wagtails W, 9 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 1 Siskin W, 3 Stonechats and 1 Snow Bunting.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 12 Little Egrets, 8 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 4 Curlew and 1 Peregrine sitting on the rocks.
During the afternoon Chris Tedder paid a visit to Shuart and walked through to Reculver. Amongst other birds she saw were 5 Common Buzzards, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Stonechats, 6 Sandwich Terns, 110 Linnets, 64 Turnstone, 178 Oystercatchers, 50 Ringed Plovers, 3 Curlew, 57 Golden Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 3 Teal, 8 Mallard, 6 Corn Buntings and 8 Meadow Pipits.

September 28th
With a fresh N wind blowing I arrived at the Towers at 0715 and stayed an hour as there was little moving. In that time I counted 3 Great Skuas W, 6 Gannets, 3 Arctic Skuas W and 14 Common Scoter.
This afternoon with a fresh northerly wind still blowing we walked from Chambers' Wall to Coldharbour and saw 2 Kestrels, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Egret, 13 Turnstone, 1 juvenile Arctic Skua flying over the beach in pursuit of a Black-headed Gull, 18 Sanderling and 2 Turnstone.

Sanderling

Chris Tedder had a walk from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back this afternoon and saw 1 Manx Shearwater E, 1 Leach's Petrel E, 8 Eider W, 5 Stonechats, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 8 Meadow Pipits, 110 Linnets, 28 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 5 Little Egrets and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Leach's Petrel - Chris Tedder

I have just received information about two ringed birds that we caught recently. 

A first year Blackcap we caught on 24th September at Reculver had been ringed at Betley Mere, Betley, Staffordshire on 2nd September 2018 and had flown 305 km SE.

The other bird was a first year male Reed Bunting we caught on 25th September on Reculver Marshes that had been ringed at Cleve Marshes, Seasalter on 25th July 2018 flying 20 km E.

September 27th
It was another wonderful morning as we arrived at Chamber's Wall for our walk to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm It became immediately apparent that there had been another arrival of Chiffchaffs overnight with most being seen in the Hog's Fennel and bushes by the seawall. On our return an hour later most birds had moved on. We counted 72 but my guess is that there were twice as many as that.
Other birds we saw were 2 Grey Herons, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Stonechats, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Swallow, 32 Mallard, 1 Coot, 6 Oystercatchers, 84 Linnets, 1 Snow Bunting, 37 Meadow Pipits, 21 Corn Buntings, 35 Reed Buntings, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Skylarks, 1 Whinchat and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Snow Bunting

Corn Buntings

Derek Smith was out at Shuart and the embankment between 0730 and 1100 and recorded 3 Siskins W, 4 Pied Wagtails W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 12 Meadow Pipits W, 16 Skylarks N, 80 House Martins W, 60 Chiffchaffs, 17 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers and 4 Cetti's Warblers.
Amongst other birds Chris Tedder saw on a short walk along the seawall this afternoon were 1 Grey Plover, 10 Stonechats, 8 Corn Buntings, 1 Short-eared Owl and 5 Sandwich Terns. She also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Grey Plover

September 26th
On another lovely autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm at Reculver. We saw 31 Chiffchaffs, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Snipe, 1 male Brambling, 10 Sandwich Terns, 56 Ringed Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 66 Mallard, 11 Corn Buntings, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 3 Teal, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in bushes by the seawall, 6 Swallows W, 3 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 6 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Shoveler, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 36 House Martins W, 1 Blackcap and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
We also met Terry Wilson who saw 1 Hobby feeding on dragonflies and 1 male Stonechat.Thia morning
Derek Smith walked fom Shuart along the railway embankment between 0730 and 1030. He counted 25 Lapwings S, 65 Starlings W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 32 Blackcaps, 75 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Brambling W, 5 Siskins W and 7 Corn Buntings.
Chris Tedder had a walk from Chamber's Wall to Reculver during the afternoon and saw 18 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 4 Kestrels, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Great Skua chasing Herring Gulls, 14 Sandwich Terns E and a large movement of hirundines initially House Martins then Swallows and including 5 Sand Martins. She also recorded 7 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Dunlin, 10 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear and 1 Brent Goose.

Brent Goose - Chris Tedder

This evening Dave Smith had a large westerly movement of Swallows and House Martins at the Towers. This continued at Bishopstone as well until it began to get dark.

September 25th
On a beautiful if a little chilly autumn morning we had a ringing session south of the railway. Birds we saw during the morning included 2 Jays, 3 Common Buzzards, 30 Chiffchaffs, 1 Hobby, 20 Blackcaps, 112 Golden Plovers, 2 Lapwings, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Siskins, 2 Swallows S, 40 Meadow Pipits, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 49: Wren 1, Goldcrest 1, Chiffchaff 21, Blackcap 12, Great Tit 3, Meadow Pipit 3, Blue Tit 2, Reed Bunting 5, Dunnock 1.

Meadow Pipit

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and sat on the beach for a while. We saw 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Common Buzzards, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Redshank, 1 Snow Bunting, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Skua, 45 Linnets, 2 Gannets and 8 Wigeon.

First winter Snow Bunting

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0730 and 1300 walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and then back to Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 1 Great Skua E close in over the beach, 1 Snipe W, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80 Stock Doves, 2 Jays, 7 Song Thrushes, 3 Swallows W, 230 Starlings W, 18 Skylarks W, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 4 Pied Wagtails W, 25 Blackcaps, 6 Reed Warblers, 63 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Siskins W, 1 Brambling W, 10 Stonechats and 6 Corn Buntings.

Juvenile Great Skua - Derek Smith

September 24th
After yesterday's excitement we spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 45 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Jays, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Moorhens, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Little Egrets, 13 Mute Swans, 2 Kestrels, 14 Meadow Pipits and 5 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 53: Goldcrest 1, Long-tailed Tit 5, Chiffchaff 7, Wren 1, Blackcap 36, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1.

First year female Goldcrest

This afternoon we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 1 Guillemot W, 1 Great Skua, 1 Peregrine, 33 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egrets, 24 Sandwich Terns, 2 Rock Pipits, the first of the autumn, 3 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Turnstone, 1 female Pochard in Coldharbour, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 12 Linnets and 2 Grey Herons.

Female Pochard

Derek Smith was also birding between 0730 and 1300 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Kestrels, 8 Sandwich Terns, 35 Meadow Pipits, 42 Blackcaps, 88 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Siskins, 4 Stonechats and 7 Corn Buntings.
In addition to these sightings during the late afternoon he found a Leach's Petrel flying W close inshore at Plumpudding. 

Leach's Petrel - Derek Smith

Southern Hawker - Derek Smith

Today at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson recorded 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Little Egrets, a colour-ringed Dunlin and 14 Sandwich Terns on the rocks.

September 23rd
On a stormy day with heavy rain until 1500 Matt spent from 0645 to 1545 at the Towers accompanied by various other birders. Most birds were recorded flying W with a number flying back E later in the day. Their impressive day's totals included 64 Arctic Skuas (175th), 98 Sandwich Terns, 31 Common Scoter, 30 Manx Shearwaters (176th), 67 Gannets, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Peregrine, 9 Pomarine Skuas ( 177th ), 168 Great Skuas, 7 Knot, 4 Teal, 4 Leach's Petrels (178th), 2 Pintail, 28 Sooty Shearwaters (179th), 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 28 Grey Plovers, 1 Sabine's Gull (180th), 1 Arctic Tern (181st), 7 Common Terns, 2 Black Terns, 5 Little Gulls, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Little Egrets, 2 male Eiders E and 1 Guillemot.

Leach's Petrel - Terry Laws

September 22nd
We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Greenfinches, 17 Chiffchaffs, 2 Golden Plovers, 11 Lapwings W, 1 Willow Warbler, 46 Blackcaps, 1 Little Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Kestrel, 2 Moorhens, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipits, 6 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 Grey Heron and 5 Little Egrets. There were also about 1,000 Black-headed Gulls and 400 Herring Gulls feeding behind two tractors.

Birds ringed 49: Chiffchaff 9, Willow Warbler 1, Wren 2, Blackcap 29, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 4.

Male Blackcap

September 21st
There was a more autumnal feel to the weather this morning with a drop in temperature and a strong WSW wind blowing. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow W, 7 Sand Martins W, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Dunlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Mute Swans, 3 Wigeon and 2 Mallard.

September 20th
With limited time this morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver with a strong SW wind still blowing. We saw 6 Sand Martins W, 7 Swallows W, 14 Cormorants, 1 Redshank, 14 Little Egrets, 42 Linnets, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Hobby, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kingfishers and 1 Chiffchaff.
This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Teal, 55 House Martins and 1 Kestrel. There were also 10 Migrant Hawkers and about 50 Common Darters flying up and down in the lee of the bushes.

September 19th
On another windy day the westerly hirundine movement continued but with the predominant species being Swallow. We counted 264 Swallows, 14 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins. Other birds we saw included 50 House Sparrows, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Egret, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 51 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Reed Warbler.

Redshank

September 18th
With a strong SW wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour there was a strong westerly movement of hirundines. In one hour we counted 600 House Martins, 28 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins. Other birds we saw included 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Stonechat, 42 Mallard, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Greenshank, a tight flock of 17 Little Terns flying W, 9 Oystercatchers, 12 Linnets, 1 Kestrel and a flock of 19 Knot flying W.

September 17th
We spent an increasingly mild morning ringing at Shuart and recorded 3 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 6 Greenfinches, 22 Lapwings W, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jay, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Siskins W, 15 Swallows, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 18 House Martins and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 25: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 8, Blackcap 7, Robin 3, Blue Tit 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Blackbird 1.

September 16th
Matt arrived at Reculver at 0630 and walked to Minnis Bay and back to Chamber's Wall car park via the railway embankment. He counted 46 Chiffchaffs, 15 Sandwich Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 25 Greylag Geese, 5 Little Egrets, 9 Grey Herons, 1 Green Sandpiper, 73 Mallard, 270 House Martins, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 2 Golden Plovers, 150 Linnets, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Wigeon, 89 Oystercatchers, 75 Swallows, 20 Common Terns, 4 Black Terns, 5 Kestrels, 2 Dunlin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Sand Martins, 1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 11 Grey Partridges and 1 Willow Warbler.
Later on our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour we recorded 1 Grey Heron, 46 Lapwings, 16 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 8 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 33 Mallard, 2 Dunlin, 1 Swallow, 6 Wigeon, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Gadwall, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Stonechats and 25 House Martins.

Stonechat

Chris Tedder had a walk from Reculver to the Oyster Farm this afternoon. Amongst other birds she saw were 1 Kingfisher, 9 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans, 11 Swallows W, 1 House Martins W, 9 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, 10 Sandwich Terns W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 8 Redshank, 1 Oystercatchers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Little Owl, 4 Kestrels and 1 Grey Partridge.

Bar-tailed Godwit - Chris Tedder

September 15th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver and saw 13 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Sandpipers, 12 Swallows, 2 Kestrels, 30 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Jays, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Sparrowhawks, 70 House Martins, 9 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobbies W, 10 Mute Swans, 10 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Kingfisher.

Birds ringed 47: Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 7, Goldcrest 1, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 24, Cetti's Warbler 1, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 2, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 3, Song Thrush 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

Robin

September 14th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Red-legged Partridges, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Snipe, 90 Lapwings, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Siskin W, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 36 Swallows, 11 Greenfinches, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 110 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Birds ringed 20: Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 8, Cetti's Warbler 1, Robin 1, Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 1, Greenfinch 1, Blackbird 1.

Chiffchaff

This afternoon we had a walk inland at Reculver and recorded 2 Jays, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 12 Mute Swans, 8 Wigeon, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Blackcap.
While we were doing this Matt walked the Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and Green Wall loop. He saw 1 Firecrest, 1 "continental" Song Thrush, 10 Chiffchaffs, 20 Sandwich Terns, 3 Golden Plovers, 200 House Martins W, 50 Swallows W, 1 Sand Martin W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Chris Tedder paid a visit to Reculver after work and had a walk to the end of the Oyster Farm. When she arrived there was a steady stream of Swallows flying W numbering 650 and amongst them were 8 Sand Martins and 1 House Martins. Other birds she saw included 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, 5 Grey Herons, 110 Linnets, 12 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling, 8 Wigeon W, 2 Short-eared Owls and 1 Marsh Harrier. There was also a Common Seal close inshore.

Short-eared Owl - Chris Tedder

Common Seal - Chris Tedder

September 13th
On a beautiful early autumn morning we walked from Reculver to the Green Wall and back and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 2 Kingfishers, 19 Mute Swans, 45 House Sparrows, 26 Linnets, 19 Redshank, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Wheatear, 13 Cormorants, 5 Oystercatchers, 8 Meadow Pipits W, 3 Sandwich Terns, 9 Turnstone, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck W, 1 Kestrel and 1 Chiffchaff.
Derek Smith spent another day out at the eastern end of the Marsh visiting Shuart, Plumpudding, the Embankment, Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour, Netherhale and Brooksend. There were more birds about than yesterday and he counted 12 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 14 Kestrels, 6 Sandwich Terns, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 52 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Corn Buntings.

Spotted Flycatcher - Derek Smith

Pied Flycatcher - Derek Smith

September 12th
Derek Smith was out all day between 0830 and 1730 and covered the whole eastern half of the Marsh, east of a line from Coldharbour to Chamber's Wall and Wagtail Farm. He found it hard going but did manage to count 3 Little Egrets, 4 Common Buzzards, including one with a white rump!, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Kestrels, 1 Little Grebe, 22 Sanderling, 300 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails E, 1 Wheatear, 17 Blackcaps, 44 Chiffchaffs, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Wheatear - Derek Smith

Chris Tedder had a walk along the seawall to the end of the Oyster Farm and back today before heading into work this afternoon. Her highlight was an Osprey (173rd) that came in off the sea heading SSW at 1234. Amongst other birds she saw were 5 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Common Sandpipers, 8 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 10 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 55 Swallows W, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Wheatears and 1 Purple Sandpiper (174th).

Osprey - Chris Tedder

On a dull and overcast afternoon we walked along the seawall fro Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Swallows flying W, 9 Cormorants, 7 Mute Swans, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 juvenile Gannet flying E, 13 Mallard and 2 Wheatears.

Preening Cormorant

September 11th
We spent an hour sitting at a sunny and warm but breezy Reculver Towers this afternoon and counted 5 House Martins W, 25 Swallows W, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard hovering into the wind over the Oyster Farm lagoons, 9 Mute Swans and 38 Stock Doves.
This morning on the incoming tide at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 24 Turnstone, 35 Ringed Plovers, 45 Oystercatchers, 1 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 3 Meadow Pipits, 12 Little Egrets and 32 Sandwich Terns.

September 10th
This morning, between 0630 and 1300, Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the Embankment and seawall to Chamber's Wall, Cold Harbour and Plumpudding returning via Netherhale. Birds he saw included 3 Little Egrets W, 90 Lapwings, 14 Sandwich Terns, 11 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 2 Wheatears, 10 Reed Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 26 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cetti's Warblers.
He also found a Southern Hawker at Netherhale.
This afternoon we had a brief visit to a couple of sites on the Marsh and recorded 3 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Shoveler, 9 Wigeon and 2 Mallard.

Common Toadflax - Derek Smith

September 9th
Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he recorded 1 Green Sandpiper, 30 House Martins W, 20 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 2 Jays, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawks, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kestrel, 16 Mute Swans, 9 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 21: Chiffchaff 6, Wren 1, Blackcap 6, Robin 1, Blue Tit 5, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1

September 8th
Derek Smith and Kerry McDonnell covered the eastern half of the Marsh between 0615 and 1330. They counted 110 Swallows W, 300 House Martins W, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Sandwich Terns, 9 Golden Plovers S, 5 Grey Partridges, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, 19 Blackcaps, 18 Reed Warblers, 14 Whitethroats, 18 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers and 1 Firecrest, the first of the autumn.

Firecrest

September 7th
We spent a breezy but sunny morning ringing at Reculver where last night's hirundine movement continued. In about three hours we counted 1,400 Swallows, 650 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins. Other birds seen included 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Reed Warblers, 6 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Jays, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ruff flying W, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Pied Flycatchers.

Birds ringed : Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 2, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 3, Great Tit 2, Blackcap 10, Whitethroat 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1

Willow Warbler

Today I received information about a Sedge Warbler that we controlled at Shuart on August 31st. It had been ringed at Slapton Ley, Devon on August 25th and had flown 364 km ENE. 
A more upsetting record was of a Barn Owl that we ringed locally as a nestling on June 19th and was found dead at St Nicholas-at-Wade on September 3rd. Traffic on the Thanet Way regularly sees the unfortunate demise of our local Barn Owls.

September 6th
This morning Matt birded the western half of the Marsh and saw 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 70 Swallows W, 2 Sand Martins, 5 Corn Buntings, 60 Linnets, 1 Shelduck, 1 Guillemot E, 10 Ringed Plovers, 18 Sandwich Terns, 7 Teal, 3 Little Egrets and 1 Hobby. In addition this afternoon I saw an additional 100 Swallows W and 21 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Fulmar E, 21 Turnstone, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Green Woodpecker.
This morning at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson recorded 30 Turnstones, 25 Ringed Plovers, 12 Sanderling, 3 Redshank, 10 Dunlin and 1 Little Egret.
There was a large westerly movement of hirundines during the course of the afternoon and evening.

September 5th
After overnight rain we arrived at a breezy and overcast Chamber' Wall where we walked up to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. There wasn't a great deal about but we recorded 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 22 Linnets, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Mallard, 1 Coot, 16 Cormorants, 5 Swallows W, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Teal, 42 Carrion Crows, 11 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 female Wigeon, the first of the autumn, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Whimbrel W.

September 4th
There had been an overnight change in the weather this morning to cloudy and cooler conditions as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. Birds we saw included 2 Kestrels, 25 Linnets, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 9 Cormorants, 28 Carrion Crows, 2 Golden Plover, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Swallows W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker, 60 House Sparrows, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron and 5 House Martins W.

September 3rd
On a sunny morning with early mist gradually disappearing we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Blackcap, 2 Pied Wagtails, 17 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Redshank, 1 Mallard, 51 Oystercatchers, 56 Linnets, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Turnstone, 7 Teal, 17 Golden Plovers, 2 Little Terns, 6 Mute Swans, 5 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Curlew and 1 Ringed Plover.

Sandwich Tern

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0630 and 1000 walked from Shuart, along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding and then on to Netherhale. He counted 3 Snipe W, 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 15 Sandwich Terns, 30 Swallows, 45 House Martins, 1 Turtle Dove, 35 Stock Doves, 8 Grey Partridges, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Wheatear, 35 Whitethroats, 22 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 16 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

September 2nd
On a beautifully sunny and calm morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 3 Green Woodpeckers, 65 Linnets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Golden Plovers, 4 Mallard, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Mute Swans, 14 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Teal and 29 Little Terns feeding close inshore off Coldharbour before flying towards Reculver. Other birds seen included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Sandwich Terns and 1 Tufted Duck.
We also saw a large bat fly in off the sea and inland at the Wantsum outflow.
Derek Smith was out between 0600 and 1030 walking from Shuart and along the embankment to Plumpudding and saw good numbers of warblers. His final counts consisted of 8 Grey Herons W, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl calling, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Golden Plovers W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 14 Blackcaps, 22 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 24 Whitethroats, 18 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

September 1st
We began the month by spending a sunny morning ringing out on the Marsh. We saw 6 Mallard, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 88 Linnets, 1 Greenshank, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Willow Warblers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler and 2 Kestrels.

Birds ringed 23: Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 1, Wren 1, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 3, Whitethroat 7, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1

Garden Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher