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Friday, 30 November 2018

November 30th
With no rain this morning and the sun shining we walked from a very muddy Chamber's Wall to the White Poplars and then on to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swans, 16 Chaffinches, 3 Redwings, 9 Fieldfares, 101 Cormnorants flying to the Stour Valley, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Redshank, 8 Skylarks, 46 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 18 Meadow Pipits, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 15 Reed Buntings, 3 Coot, 8 Corn Buntings, 8 Robins and 1 Chiffchaff.
Mike Roser and Dave Perrin walked from Reculver to Coldharbour today and their highlight was 6 Pink-footed Geese initially on the sea then on one of the fields before flying SW having been disturbed by a passing helicopter. They also saw 12 female/immature Common Scoter and 1 immature male Eider.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson recorded 4 Eiders, 2 males and 2 females, 6 Curlew, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Turnstone, 3 Sanderling, 12 Dark-bellied brent Geese, 6 Great Crested Grebes and 120 Seals on Margate Hook sand bank.

Little Egret - Terry Wilson

Thursday, 29 November 2018

November 29th
It was another wet and windy morning but although the wind strengthened at least the rain had ceased in the afternoon so we walked along below the cliffs at Minnis and Grenham Bays. We counted 88 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 77 Oystercatchers, 7 Curlew, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 1 wintering Whimbrel and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Whimbrel

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

November 28th
This morning was a washout with continuous rain so we ventured out after lunch even though there was a southerly gale blowing.We walked at Shuart and recorded 86 Fieldfares, 11 Redwings, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 35 Cormorants, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese out by the seawall, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Chiffchaff.

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

November 27th - 306th species for the Reculver area
We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we ringed 66 birds but more surprisingly saw our third new species for Reculver during this month a long overdue Cattle Egret (197th).
Other birds seen included 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 99 Redwings, 60 Blackbirds, 163 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Red Kite, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Mallard, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Reed Buntings and 12 Meadow Pipits.

Birds ringed 66: Blue Tit 1, Reed Bunting 19, Meadow Pipit 4, Robin 5, Cetti's Warbler 1, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 3, Blackbird 28, Green Woodpecker 1.

Female Green Woodpecker
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall and saw 112 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, 9 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, 2 Coot, 16 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 2 Eiders, 12 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Turnstone, 1 Redshank and 27 Mute Swans.

Monday, 26 November 2018

November 26th
Matt was out this morning in the pouring rain at Shuart and saw 800 Fieldfares, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 40 Blackbirds, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest and 10 Redwings.
We walked along the seawall at Reculver this afternoon and recorded 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtails, 27 Mute Swans, 2 immature male Eiders, 15 Cormorants, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Turnstone and 1 Peregrine.
November 25th
Marc Heath was out early this morning and walked from Reculver recording 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Kittiwake, 130 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Marsh Harriers, 9 Red-throated Divers, 3 Snow Buntings and 2 Eiders.

Saturday, 24 November 2018

November 24th
It was damp and overcast this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 2 immature male Eiders, 1 Kestrel, 9 Red-throated Divers E, 242 Cormorants flying inland, 15 Redshank, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser W, 8 Ringed Plovers, 87 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 24 Mallard, 29 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Gadwall, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Immature male Eiders

Friday, 23 November 2018

November 23rd
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 8 Blackbirds, 13 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 13 Redshank, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Coot, 18 Turnstone, 10 Oystercatchers, 16 Mallard, 4 Snow Buntings, 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Fieldfares.

Male Snow Bunting

Thursday, 22 November 2018

November 22nd
On a dull, chilly and overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and round Coldharbour and saw 32 Blackbirds, 4 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Snipe, 1 Redpoll, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Long-eared Owl (196th) being mobbed by Blackbirds, Wrens and Blue Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 412 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 44 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Mallard, 66 Oystercatchers, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 5 Coot, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Chaffinches and 11 Corn Buntings.

Long-eared Owl

This afternoon, between 1330 and 1600, Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and recorded 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 176 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 46 Pink-footed Geese south of the Shuart Crossing, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Snipe, 180 Lapwings, 22 Sanderling, 60 Redwings, 7 Skylarks and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Pink-footed Geese - Derek Smith

We often have Green Woodpeckers flying over our garden but we seldom have them feeding on the lawn.

Green Woodpecker

Today I received information concerning a juvenile Sedge Warbler we ringed on Reculver Marshes on 5th July 2018 and was controlled at Trunvel, Treogat, Finistere, France on 26th July. It had flown 557 km SW.

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

November 21st
After the last four days of easterly wind with lots of birds moving at sea it was a return to the more usual November fare as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 297 Cormorants, 12 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Plovers, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Turnstone, 33 Ringed Plovers, 16 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 33 Oystercatchers and 24 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Second winter Herring Gull
This morning Terry Wilson walked west along the seawall from Grenham Bay and counted 4 Lapwings, 28 Redshank, 11 Turnstones, 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Common Scoter, 6 Stonechats, 60 Sanderling, 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Little Egret and 4 Pied Wagtails.

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

November 20th
Another cold morning with a strong easterly wind and another chilly seawatch. We arrived at Reculver just as it was getting light and remained there until 0930. Most of the birds we counted were flying east and included 25 Common Scoter, 18 Oystercatchers, 28 Red-throated Divers, 1,080 Cormorants, 1 adult White-fronted Goose, 6 Kittiwakes, 28 Little Gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 43 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Razorbills, 57 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 red-head Goosander W, 5 Gannets, 1 female/immature Goldeneye, 2 Dunlin, 1 Great Skua, 1 Eider W, 1 Curlew and 130 Carrion Crows.

Monday, 19 November 2018

November 19th
We spent another chilly morning seawatching at Reculver between 0645 and 1000. We saw a good range of species with most birds flying E. We counted 86 Common Scoter, 117 Brent Geese, 63 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 42 Gannets, 101 Red-throated Divers, 36 Wigeon, 10 Kittiwakes, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 812 Cormorants, 3 Great Skuas W, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck W (194th), 1 Little Egret, 10 Eider, 47 Teal, 2 Goldeneye (195th) including an adult male, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 large auk, 1 Razorbill and 8 Tufted Duck.

Eider

Sunday, 18 November 2018

November 18th
We arrived at Reculver just as the sun came up on a bright and breezy morning. We had a 75 minute seawatch with most birds flying east and counted 75 Gannets, 11 Shelduck, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Common Scoter, 1,345 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 1 Little Egret, 7 Kittiwakes, 1 Rock Pipit, 11 Eiders, 3 White-fronted Geese, 1 Black-throated Diver, 9 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Teal, 1 large auk, 2 Wigeon, 2 Great Skuas W, 2 Razorbills and 1 Red-breasted Merganser.
After this we drove one car to Chamber's Wall and walked back along the seawall to Reculver and recorded 60 Lapwings, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Goldcrest, 15 Redwings, 12 Fieldfares, 6 Corn Buntins, 2 Mallard, 6 Coot, 4 Teal, 2 Moorhens, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Redshank, 13 Gannets E, 1 Razorbill E, 9 Red-throated Divers E, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier, 78 Oystercatchers E, 1 Stonechat, 28 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 1 large auk, 4 Eiders E and 1 Great Skua E.
This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Little Owl, 3 Kestrels, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Jays, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Teal and 21 Lapwings.
Derek Smith had a long walk today from Shuart to Bishopstone with his highlights being 3 Avocets landing on the sea at Plumpudding and 1 Red-breasted Merganser flying E.

Avocets - Derek Smith

Saturday, 17 November 2018

November 17th
It was bright and sunny this morning as we walked from Minnis Bay to Reculver along the seawall. We saw a lot of birds mainly flying east. These included 8 Little Egrets, 67 Lapwings, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 30 Red-throated Divers, 189 Oystercatchers, 4 Mallard, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 35 Gannets, 61 Turnstone, 38 Shelduck W, 186 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 3 Kittiwakes, 111 large auks, 20 Grey Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, the latest winter record for the area, 144 Common Scoter, 48 Teal, 22 Wigeon, 18 Redshank, 9 Curlew, 29 Sanderling, 5 Razorbills (191st), 14 Ringed Plovers, 10 Pied Wagtails and 8 Pink-footed Geese (192nd) flying E close inshore at Plumpudding. We also recorded 14 Goldfinches, 4 Stonechats, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Skylarks, 10 Gadwall, 5 Dunlin, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Black Redstart by the car park at Reculver.
Later Gary Howard had a White-fronted Goose flying E (193rd) .

Friday, 16 November 2018

November 16th
On a very misty and murky morning we walked from Reculver to Coldhabour and back and counted 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Common Scoter E, 4 Redshank, 18 Knot W, 2 Golden Plovers, 250 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Turnstone, 5 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Sanderling, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Coot, 1 Curlew, 1 Stonechat, 4 Goldfinches, 26 Teal W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Grey Plover.
Derek Smith spent most of a very misty day walking from Shuart to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and on to |Brooksend. Birds he saw included 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 7 Wigeon, 42 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 120 Golden Plovers W, 6 Grey Plovers, 28 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 35 Blackbirds, 60 Redwings, 15 Fieldfares, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 34 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats and 13 Corn Buntings.

Female Stonechat - Derek Smith

Male Stonechat - Derek Smith

Thursday, 15 November 2018

November 15th
It was overcast and still this morning as we walked from a very muddy Chamber's Wall up to Coldharbour and recorded 54 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Redwings, 1 Firecrest, 8 Blackbirds, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 15 Reed Buntings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Mallard, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Coot, 1 Snipe, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Golden Plover.
This afternoon Chris Tedder walked along the seawall and saw 1 Black Redstart, 8 Pied Wagtails, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Stonechats, 25 Ringed Plovers, 121 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 15 Goldfinches, 12 Meadow Pipits, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Little Owl and 1 Common Gull.

Black Redstart - Chris Tedder

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

November 14th
On another quiet morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour in bright sunshine and with the tide going out. We saw 175 Cormorants, 17 Redshank, 29 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing in off the sea, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Oustercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Mallard, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 Common Buzzard.

First winter Grey Heron

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

November 13th
After yesterday's excitement today was a normal mid November morning. With the sun shining we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 7 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 46 Goldfinches, 27 Ringed Plovers, 12 Redshank, 28 Meadow Pipits, 22 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 61 Cormorants, 4 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat and 1 Black Redstart on the fence by the sluice at Reculver.

Juvenile Herring Gull killing and eating a fish

Monday, 12 November 2018

November 12th - Species number 305 for Reculver Area
On a showery and overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. There has been major engineering works on the railway at Chamber's Wall over the weekend and all the lorries and machinery used have made the car park and track leading up to the railway into a quagmire.
It is still pretty quiet but we managed to see 4 Goldfinches, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Coot, 7 Fieldfares, 10 Reed Buntings, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plovers, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Kestrel.
I received a call from Matt at about 1315 to say that he had found a Pallid Swift (190th) flying about over Reculver. I drove down as quickly as I could to find it still performing over an area from the Towers to the caravan park and the Blue Dolphin pub. It remained in this area until dusk and may very well have roosted on the Towers or a nearby building. This is the 305th species to be recorded in the Reculver area.





Pallid Swift

Sunday, 11 November 2018

November 11th
We didn't venture out until after lunch when most of the heavy rain had moved through. On our walk from Reculver to Coldharbour there were more dogs and people than birds! All we saw were 2 Goldcrests, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 3 Blackbirds.

Pied Wagtail

Saturday, 10 November 2018

November 10th
After heavy overnight rain we walked from Chamber's Wall, along the seawall and on to Shuart. We saw 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Fieldfares, 13 Blackbirds, 5 Goldcrests, 1 female Merlin, 45 Cormorants, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Stonechat, 3 Mallard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 40 Reed Buntings, 18 Meadow Pipits, 4 Dunlin, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Curlew, 32 Mute Swans, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Skylarks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Friday, 9 November 2018

November 9th
It was relatively quiet this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the railway embankment and on to the Green Wall and Coldharbour. We saw 13 Blackbirds, 23 Chaffinches, 3 Redwings, 256 Cormorants, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Golden Plover, 42 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 33 Oystercatchers, 1 Dunlin, 2 Curlews, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 4 Pied Wagtails and 1 Kestrel.

First winter Goldfinch feeding on Smooth Sow-thistle seeds

Matt walked from Reculver along the seawall and saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Merlin, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Kingfiaher, 2 Rock Pipits and 5 Goldcrests.

Thursday, 8 November 2018

November 8th
It was a beautiful sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. Almost the first bird we saw was a Great White Egret that flew south along the River Wantsum. Other birds recorded included 2 Little Egrets, 420 Cormorants flying south to the Stour Valley, 12 Redwings, 12 Skylarks, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Chaffinches, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 38 Mallard, 5 Coot, 17 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 9 Goldfinches, 21 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Bearded Tits and 10 Blackbirds.


Great White Egret
Derek Smith was also out this morning walking from Shuart to Plumpudding between 0745 and 1000. He counted 28 Mute Swans, 1 Sparrowhawk, 42 Sanderling, 3 Grey Plovers, 45 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 37 Chaffinches W, 3 Greenfinches W, 22 Goldfinches W, 1 Brambling W and 6 Siskins W.
Chris Tedder had a walk along the seawall this afternoon and saw 7 Pied Wagtails, 130 Linnets, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Plover, 25 Redshank, 36 Mallard, 2 Short-eared Owls and 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier.

Short-eared Owl - Chris Tedder

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

November 7th
With a strong southerly wind blowing in rain we decided to walk along the promenade in the shelter of the cliffs at Minnis Bay in the hope of finding the White-billed Diver again. We didn't see it but we counted 13 Redshank, 13 Little Egrets, 4 Cormorants, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 3 Rock Pipits, 4 Meadow Pipits and 5 Pied Wagtails.

Little Egret

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

November 6th  -  Species number 304 for Reculver Area

Adult summer plumaged White-billed Diver - Alex Perry

Just as we got home from our regular birding walk this morning I received a message from Terry Wilson to say that the adult summer plumaged White-billed Diver (189th) previously seen further east on Thanet was close inshore at Minnis Bay. We immediately drove over and were able to see the bird now about 400 metres offshore by the red buoy drifting west and frequently diving. A superb new species and 304th for the area.
Our previous walk from Reculver to Coldharbour had been uneventful and we saw 234 Cormorants, 1 Peregrine, 6 Pied Wagtails, 26 Meadow Pipits, 4 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 36 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 16 Goldfinches, 2 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snow Bunting W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Rick Pipit and 1 Teal.
During the afternoon Dudley Cox saw a ring-tailed Hen Harrier twice at the Oyster Farm lagoons.

Monday, 5 November 2018

November 5th
It wasn't as cold this morning when we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We managed to see 11 Skylarks, 7 Redwings, 18 Chaffinches, 17 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thryshes, 6 Fieldfares, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Corn Buntings, 2 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Stonechats, 5 Teal, 11 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrines, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Grebe and 16 Goldfinches.

Male Stonechat

Sunday, 4 November 2018

November 4th
On another bright morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visted Reculver on the way home and recorded 24 Cormorants, 26 Goldfinches, 2 Goldcrests, 19 Blackbirds, 38 Redwings, 22 Chaffinches, 13 Fieldfares, 1 Brambling, 29 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail, 1 Coot, 6 Skylarks, 6 Stonechats, 12 Reed Buntings, 18 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 6 Mallard, 1 Redshak, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard.

Winter plumaged Oystercatchers

Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back around the railway embankment and counted 640 Cormorants, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 20 Meadow Pipits, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Redshank, 7 Turnstone, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 27 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 20 Reed Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 20 Fieldfares, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Firecrest and 1 Redpoll.

Saturday, 3 November 2018

November 3rd
Our walk at Reculver was cut short this morning as news of a summer plumaged White-billed Diver at Foreness was announced. We returned to our car as quickly as possible and drove to Foreness where this superb bird was still showing really well just off shore and in excellent conditions.
Reculver had been pretty quiet and all we saw in an hour were 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Redshank, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat, 3 Mallard, 15 Oystercatchers and 28 Goldfinches.

Friday, 2 November 2018

November 2nd
After yesterday's washout today dawned sunny and cool so we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm. We recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Goldfinches, 59 Chaffinches, 62 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 42 Fieldfares, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 14 Skylarks, 5 Linnets, 5 Mute Swans, 27 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Ringed Plovers, a family party of 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 adults and 2 juveniles, 9 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 2 Stonechats and 2 Jays.

Fieldfares
Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment between 0730 and 1000. Birds he saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 80 Blackbirds, 5 Crossbills W, 11 Siskins W, 3 Redpolls W, 35 Chaffinches W, 1 Chiffchaff, 30 Goldcrests, 3 Yellowhammers W and 4 Firecrests, 2 along the embankment and 2 near Shuart Farm.

Firecrest - Derek Smith

At Grenham and Minnis Bays this morning Terry Wilson recorded 35 Grey Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 20 Redshank, 5 Curlew, 36 Sanderling, 2 Kestrels, 1 Stonechat and 8 Lapwings. There were also 35 seals resting on Margate Hook sandbank.
In addition Marc Heath had a Merlin fly over at Hillborough.

Thursday, 1 November 2018

November 1st
Another miserable day with virtually non stop rain. We didn't venture out until the afternoon walking along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall and only recording 6 Mute Swans, 1 male Common Scoter, 2 Little Egrets, 15 Linnets, 1 Turnstone, 85 Mallard, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Redshank and 1 Common Buzzard.