March 20th
We had a productive, early spring morning's birdwatch today. We parked one car at Shuart and then drove to Reculver and walked back to Shuart. There appeared to have been a small overnight arrival of migrants as we recorded 7 Wheatears, 5 males and 2 females on the seawall, 1 singing Blackcap at Shuart (123rd), 1 Black Redstart at the Stables and 14 Chiffchaffs.
Other birds we saw included 34 Fieldfares flying W, 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 1 Gannet E, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtails W, 14 Mallard, 19 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Rock Pipits, 63 Oystercatchers, 48 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 immature male Eider. We also recorded a flock of 80 Corn Buntings, 38 Turnstone, 10 Ringed Plovers, 30 Common Scoter, 19 Golden Plovers, 4 Shelduck, 1 Avocet flying W at Coldharbour, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 6 Grey Plovers, 2 Lapwings, 13 Sanderling, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swans and 2 Goldcrests.

Male Wheatear on the seawall