April 30th
On a cool and mainly overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 15 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Linnets, 9 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 1 immature male Eider, 6 Ringed Plovers, 102 Sanderling, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 17 Swallows W, 3 Stonechats, 1 Little Egret, 1 House Martin W, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits W and 1 Greenshank.

Immature male Eider

Sanderling moulting into summer plumage

April 29th
Anne and I have spent the last four days visiting our daughter Louise in the Peak District so Matt has been covering the area in our absence.

High Peak country, Derbyshire

Matt spent the morning ringing south of the railway line during which time he saw 1 Cuckoo, 2 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 8 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 32 Corn Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 9 Goldfinches and 1 Tree Pipit W (156th).

Birds ringed 12: Garden Warbler 1, Whitethroat 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 2, Blackcap 1, Linnet 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

Garden Warbler

This afternoon he walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 3 White Wagtails, 1 male Wheatear, 2 Stonechats and 1 Kingfisher.

April 28th
Between 0600 and 0800 Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 82 Sandwich Terns feeding offshore, 5 Gannets, 9 Whimbrel flying W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 male Wheatear, 4 White Wagtails on the beach at the Wantsum outflow, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Blackcaps. 

April 27th

Matt walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back and saw the following: 82 Sandwich Terns, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Swallow, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Terns, 9 Sedge Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats, 3 Whimbrel, 1 male Wheatear, 85 Sanderling, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Dunlin, 8 White Wagtails on the beach at Cold Harbour, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Blackcap.
Marc Heath was also out between 0545 and 1000 and recorded 6 Blackcaps, 21 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 145 Sandwich Terns, 70 Sand Martins, 12 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmars, 22 Linnets, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Sedge Warblers, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Reed Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 2 Shelduck, 3 Whimbrel, 7 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Wheatear, 40 Sanderling, 7 White Wagtails, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers, 12 Whitethraots, 15 Turnstone, 3 Common Terns and 5 Ringed Plovers.

Grey Partridges - Marc Heath

Whimbrel - Marc Heath

Male Yellow Wagtail - Marc Heath

April 26th
Matt birded most of the area from 0430 to 1130 ending up with 81 species. Birds seen were 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Blackcaps, 47 Sedge Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 2 first winter Mediterranean Gulls, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 82 Sandwich Terns moving east, 75 Whitethroats, 26 Shelduck moving east, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Fulmar, 15 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 63 Sand Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 30 Reed Warblers, 2 male Marsh Harriers, 23 Oystercatchers, 65 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Whimbrel, 13 Swallows, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Merlin, 8 Chiffchaffs, 35 Common Scoter, 16 Common Terns, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Wheatear, 4 Stonechats, 3 Little Egrets, 22 Corn Buntings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Gadwall, 3 Coot, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Garden Warbler (154th) and 1 Redwing.
Chris Tedder spent most of the day birding at both ends of the Marsh and her highlights were 1 Hobby (155th), 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 House Martin, 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Wheatears, 2 Gadwall, 1 male Whinchat, 25 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail and 3 Marsh Harriers. She also found 1 Hairy Dragonfly and a Wall Brown butterfly.

April 25th
We just about managed to avoid the heavy showers that were moving up from the south as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We recorded 20 Sand Martins, 10 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-breated Mergansers E, 16 Oystercatchers, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 6 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Turnstone, 3 Mallard, 3 Swallows W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Wheatear.

Male Yellow Wagtail

April 24th
On a cloudy but bright morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and recorded 15 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 25 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Reed Buntings, 12 Sedge Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 17 Mallard, including a female with 6 young ducklings, 3 Mute Swans and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. From Coldharbour onwards we saw 17 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Stonechat 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Corn Buntings, 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 1 Willow Warbler.

Meadow Pipit

A Red Kite flew W at Bishopstone this morning.

April 23rd
It was cloudier this morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour with the tide going out. We recorded 40 Sand Martins at the colony, 8 Whitethroats, 6 Mallard, 5 Mute Swans, 11 Linnets, 1 immature male Eider, 6 Ringed Plovers, 14 Oystercatchers, 2 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Fulmar W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo, 11 Sedge Warblers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel and 1 Whimbrel.
At Hillborough Marc heath had a singing Yellowhammer this morning.

Tree Mallow on the beach at Coldharbour

In the afternoon Bob Dean found a Turtle Dove (153rd) at Chamber's Wall.

April 22nd
On yet another beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and back along the railway embankment. Birds we saw included 33 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Mallard, 2 Greenshank, 1 Coot, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Merlin being unsuccessfully chased by a female Peregrine, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 3 Mediterranean Gulls E, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Linnets, 18 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the Oyster Farm and 1 Chiffchaff.

Grey Heron in the mist

April 21st
Having just returned from California, Matt was out early to catch up with summer migrants and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. We met him at Chamber's Wall and and his final totals included 13 Yellow Wagtails W, 25 Mediterranean Gulls, 17W 8E, 9 Sandwich Terns E, 32 Whitethroats, 1 Fulmar, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Shelduck, 6 Turnstone, 35 Sedge Warblers, 4 Redshank, 4 Swallows, 2 Stonechats, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Ringed Plover W, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Sand Martins, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Lapwing, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Fieldfare W, 6 Blackcaps,
3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Dunlin and 1 Short eared Owl.
Marc Heath walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm between 0600 and 0930. He counted 4 Red-legged Partridges, 5 Skylarks, 13 Reed Warblers, 23 Whitethroats, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 6 Blackcaps, 23 Sedge Warblers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Reed Buntings, 25 Linnets, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Redwing, 22 Corn Buntings, 5 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Greenshank and 3 Dunlin. He also saw 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Swallow, 1 male White wagtail, 23 Sand Martins, 2 Redshank, 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the Oyster Farm, 2 Turnstone, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 female Common Redstart.

Female Common Redstart - Alex Perry

Nick Hando and his family were in Thanet visiting again this Easter and on Saturday 20th at Bishopstone he recorded 62 Mediterranean Gulls in 8 flocks between 0715 and 0930.

Today he saw 38 Mediterrnaean Gulls flying E in 5 flocks as well as 1 Brambling in the bushes by the carpark, 1 Greenshank in off and high SE, 2 Whimbrel W, 2 Common Sandpipers on the rocks at the tides edge, 1 Curlew W and 2 Yellow Wagtails in off and flying S.

Also of note were some exceptional fossils, namely an Otodus obliquus shark tooth, the ancestor of Megalodon and Great White Shark and a fossilized pine cone which is very rare at Bishosptone.

Fossilized Pine Cone - Nick Hando

Otodus obliquus Shark Tooth - Nick Hando

April 20th
This morning we had intended to walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall but as we were half way between the railway and the seawall we received a call from Marc Heath to say that there was a Grasshopper Warbler (150th) singing south of the railway. By the time we got there it had stopped singing and had probably moved on south but we were rewarded by finding a superb male Pied Flycatcher (151st) which spent about five minutes living up to its name before moving on.

Male Pied Flycatcher

Other birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Swallows.
Next we visited Shuart and recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
On the way home we dropped in at Reculver and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, 1 Whitehroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Jays.
On his early morning walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Green Wall in addition to the Grasshopper Warbler, Marc recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Jays, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Skylarks, 15 Whitethroats, 5 Reed Warblers, 14 Sedge Warblers, 4 Grey Partridges, 28 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Cuckoo, 1 House Martin, 5 Reed Buntings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 5 Shelduck, 3 Swallows, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Kestrel.

Mediterranean Gulls - Marc Heath

Between 0730 and 1300 Derek Smith and Kerry McDonnell birded from Shuart, along the embankment to Coldharbour and back via Netherhale. They saw 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose W, 1 Eider, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Common Buzzards, 52 Mediterranean Gulls W, 2 Common Terns, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel W, 3 Cuckoos, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Song Thrushes N, 1 Redwing N, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Redstart, 38 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 36 Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, 18 Blackcaps, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Coal Tit (152nd) moving W along the railway embankment and 8 Corn Buntings.
Julian and Alex Perry found 2 Red Kites at Potten Street this morning.

Red Kite - Alex Perry

April 19th
It was immediately apparent as we arrived at Chamber's Wall this morning that there had been an overnight arrival of Whitethroats and in our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall we counted 18 singing males.

Male Whitethroat

Other birds we encountered included 1 Jay, 14 Linnets, 7 Reed Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Gannets E, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greylag Geese W, 4 Swallows W, 12 Corn Buntings, 12 Sedge Warblers, 10 Mute Swans, 1 Greenshank W (146th), 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Common Buzzards and 1 Willow Warbler.
Marc Heath did a similar walk but earlier arriving at Chamber's Wall at 0545 and recorded 2 Red-legged Partridges, 5 Skylarks, 50 Cormorants, 2 Reed Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Sedge Warblers, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 male Whinchat (147th), 1 Short-eared Owl, 7 Shelduck, 9 Mute Swans, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Swallow, 1 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 5 Reed Buntings, 1 Wheatear, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshank W, 1 Marsh Harriers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (148th) and 1 Merlin.
Derek Smith covered the eastern half of the Marsh between 0730 and 1200 walking from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back via Plumpudding and Brooksend. Birds he saw included 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 32 Whitethroats, 37 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, 14 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 9 Corn Buntings.
Nick Keen was also out this morning and found 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 males and 1 female, together by the White Populars, 1 Cuckoo (149th) calling at the rear of the Oyster Farm, 1 Fulmar, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 150+ Sanderling, 40+ Corn Buntings, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler and 10+ Sedge Warblers.
During the afternoon at Shuart, Marc Heath saw a male Brambling and a Brimstone butterfly.

Brimstone - Marc Heath

April 18th
It was another beautiful morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and there were some decent birds to be seen. We recorded 3 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 male Ring Ouzel in a field at Chamber's Wall (143rd), 8 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Mallard, 11 Sedge Warblers, 6 Song Thrushes, 47 Corn Buntings, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Green Sandpipers.
From Coldharbour we added 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Redshank, 6 Wheatears on the beach, 25 Turnstone, 19 MediterraneanGulls flying E, 2 Whimbrel (144th), 1 Jay on the seawall, 2 Common Terns W, 4 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Curlew, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W calling (145th), 1 White Wagtail, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Common Buzzard.

Male Ring Ouzel at Chamber's Wall

6 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Black-headed Gull flying east

April 17th
On a beautiful spring morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and Green Wall. We counted 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 41 Mediterranean Gulls flying high E in groups of up to 9, 10 Oystercatchers, 39 Linnets, 3 Grey Herons, 13 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshank, 13 Turnstone, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Sedge Warblers, 79 Corn Buntings, 11 Common Scoter E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 immature male Eider back after its recent trip to Swalecliffe and Seasalter, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Coot, 1 Jay, 2 Tufted Duck and 12 Sand Martins.

Male Whitethroat

Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment and then on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding between 0700 and 1030. He saw 2 Common Buzzards, 52 Mediterranean Gulls E, 4 Song Thrushes,  1 male Common Redstart on the railway embankment at Chamber's Wall, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Whitethroats, 32 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 9 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, 16 Chiffchaffs and 7 Cetti's Warblers.

Male Common Redstart - Derek Smith

This afternoon a short walk inland at Reculver produced 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Coot, 3 Mallard, 1 Jay and 2 Grey Partridges.
Chris Tedder was also out and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and recorded 1 Fulmar E, 5 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Gannets E, 7 Swallows E, 1 Yellow Wagtail in off the sea and 1 Firecrest at Chamber's Wall.

April 16th
It was a much better morning both weatherwise and birdwise as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm. We counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldfinches, 22 Corn Buntings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Sedge Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 5 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Coot, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Fulmar E, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 28 Sanderling, 14 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Swallow, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler (140th) and 1 Willow Warbler.

Male Tufted Duck

Sandwich Terns

Marc Heath was out before us and between 0600 and 1000 he walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He counted 3 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 41 Sand Martins, 1 Common Sandpiper (141st) on the rocks below the Towers, 3 Canada Geese (142nd) on the sea before flying E, 15 Linnets, 10 Stock Doves, 6 Mute Swans, 14 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers, 7 Ringed Plovers, 14 Mallard, 9 Skylarks, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Shelduck. He also saw 11 Reed Buntings, 1 Little Egret, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 11 Sedge Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 40 Corn Buntings, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Short-eared Owls and 2 Sandwich Terns.

April 15th
Although it was a little bit warmer and the sun was shining this morning there was still a chilly, blustery SE wind blowing. We began by walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back around the Green Wall and recorded 5 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coot, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Mallard, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Stonechat, 7 Skylarks and 1 Swallow.
On the way home, at Reculver, we saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Jay, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Mute Swans and 2 Gadwall.

Ringed Plover

April 14th
We began the morning by walking from Shuart to the sea and saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Greylag Geese W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20 House Sparrows, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Swallow.
Later at Reculver we counted 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Stock Doves, 3 Mallard, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swallow and 1 Sparrowhawk. It's still very slow!
Marc Heath was also out this morning and between 0600 and 0900 and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall. He recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 8 Turnsone, 3 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 8 Reed Buntings, 4 Sedge Warblers, 27 Corn Buntings, 10 Cormorants, 4 Common Scoter E, 3 Marsh Harriers, 5 Skylarks, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Swallows, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 14 Common Gulls flying E.
In addition Julian Perry found a Common Whitethroat (139th) in a bush by the Green Wall this morning.

April 13th
The morning began sunny but there was still the cold, nagging north easterly wind blowing. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before visting Reculver just as a heavy shower was being blown in off the sea. There still wasn't much sign of migration but we did count 2 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Coot, 8 Chaffinches, 6 Sedge Warblers, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 28 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges on the embankment by the White Poplars, 16 Linnets, 2 Jays, 9 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Blackcap and unfortunately another mink.

April 12th
With the chilly easterly wind still blowing it was very quiet in the area this morning. We walked from Shaurt to the sea at Plumpudding and counted 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 36 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Lapwings and 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Later at Reculver we saw 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 3 Mallard.

Male and female Gadwall

Marc Heath was also out this morning and between 0900 and 1200 walked from Reculver to Coldhabour and back. He recorded 3 Common Scoter E, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 10 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 25 Corn Buntings, 2 Shelduck, 2 Turstones, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest in bushes at Coldharbour, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Skylarks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Reed Buntings.

Firecrest - Marc Heath

April 11th
On yet another chilly morning with a fresh easterly wind blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back around the Green Wall before visiting Reculver. Birds we saw included 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 18 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Jays, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows.

April 10th
Although it was sunny this morning there was a strong, chilly NE wind blowing as we arrived at Reculver making viewing conditions unpleasant. We saw 1 Swallow, 9 Gannets E, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Blackcap.
Later at Chamber's Wall and the White Poplars we counted 6 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 1 Coot, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 8 Chaffinches.
During the morning we met one of the local farmers and they told us that they had  a Tawny Owl (138th) calling at Reculver on the nights of April 6th and 7th.
Marc Heath was also out and between 0600 and 1000 walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall. Birds he saw included 29 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 7 Gannets E, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Swallow, 1 juvenile Kittiwake E, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers E, 1 Eider, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sanderling, 1 Peregrine, 2 Reed Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Willow Warbers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 4 Sand Martins and 6 Fulmars E.

April 9th
This morning was overcast, misty and wet so we had a walk inland at Reculver and then another walk at Chamber's Wall. At Reculver we recorded 2 Blackcaps, 1 Mistle Thrush, 11 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Pied Wagtail.
At Chamber's Wall and the railway embankment we counted 1 Fieldfare, 13 Redwings, 14 Song Thrushes, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mallard, 8 Chaffinches and 1 Willow Warbler (134th) singing near the car park.
Julian Perry was also out in the drizzle this morning and found a pair of Garganey (135th) on Wade Marshes between Shuart and the railway embankment.
This afternoon during a run from Reculver to Coldharbour Marc Heath recorded a Spotted Redshank (136th) flying around Coldharbour and calling and 1 Common Tern (137th) flying along the tideline.

April 8th
On another grey day with the tide out we walked at Reculver and up to Coldharbour. We counted 2 Great Crested Grebes, 15 Oystercatchers, 8 Cormorants, 12 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 2 Turnstone, 15 Mallard, 1 Snipe, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallows, 6 Mediterranean Gulls over our heads calling in the gloom, 4 Mute Swans, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull W, 3 Grey Partridges, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Tufted Duck and 1 Blackcap.
Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment between 1100 and 1500. He recorded 45 Sand Martins, 6 House Martins, 23 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Shelduck, 66 Corn Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 32 Redshank, 7 Skylarks, 58 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 6 Reed Buntings, 5 Curlew, 1 Eider, 2 Egyptian Geese W at the Stables (133rd), 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harriers and the Black Redstart at the Towers.

Egyptian Geese - Marc Heath

April 7th
Marc Heath was out on a chilly, overcast and drizzly morning Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Coldhrbour and back along the embankment and recorded 1 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaffs, 15 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 4 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Mallard, 4 Skylarks, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (132nd), 1 Curlew and 1 Stonechat.
This morning a male Siskin fed briefly on the niger seeds in our garden.

Male Siskin in the rain

On a dry but gloomy afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 6 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Scoter E, 1 Fulmar W, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 4 Grey Plovers, 7 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Swallow W.

April 6th
It was a dreary and chilly morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow and then visited Reculver. We did not see a great deal just 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Coot, 8 Skylarks, 4 Linnets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swans and 1 Blackcap.
Between 1030 and 1215 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and saw 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Yellow Wagtail (131st), 4 Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaffs.

Woodpigeon preening

April 5th
It was bright and breezy this morning as we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 40 Sand Martins, 1 immature Black Redstart singing, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Shelduck, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, including a rubicola male, 11 Mallard, 1 alba Wagtail W, 22 Corn Buntings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Coot, 1 Little Egret, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 immature male Eider. We also counted 2 Turnstone, 2 Swallows, 18 Linnets, 2 Bullfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 male Common Redstart (130th) that refused to be photographed, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard.

Immature male Black Redstart

Male rubicola Stonechat

We also found 2 Black Oil Beetles on the path at the back of the Oyster Farm..

Black Oil Beetle

This morning Marc Heath had 2 Yellowhammers at Reculver.
This afternoon we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and recorded 1 Blackcap, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Mediterranean Gulls flying E, 2 adults and 1 first winter, 55 Oystercatchers, 80 Sanderling, 5 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 2 Lapwings and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

April 4th
Matt was out early and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then on to Chamber's Wall. He recorded 2 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes,  1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 male Wheatear, 1 Swallow W, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 immature male Eider and 1 Snipe.
Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 7 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings, 8 Redshank, the immature male Eider, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Sedge Warbler

April 3rd
It was dull and damp this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw a reasonable range of species including 1 House Martin W (129th), 5 Mediterranean Gulls E, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Curlew, 1 singing immature male Black Redstart, 13 Linnets, 7 Mute Swans, 18 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Shelduck, 1 immature male Eider, 11 Cormorants, 6 Swallows W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 3 singing Sedge Warblers, 10 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear, 15 Corn Buntings, 2 Stonechats, including a smart "rubicola" male and 1 Kingfisher.
On his way home Matt dropped in at Shuart where he recorded 12 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings and 1 Redwing W.
Whilst working at Plumpudding lagoon this morning Terry Wilson saw 1 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Wheatears, 3 Reed Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Mute Swans and 6 Redshank.

April 2nd
This morning Matt walked from Reculver and we met him at Chamber's Wall before walking on to Plumpudding and back to Reculver. The morning began sunny but soon deteriorated as cloud rolled in and a chilly SW breeze got up. Between us we recorded 47 Sand Martins, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shelduck, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Swallows, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Eider, 2 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sedge Warbler (127th), 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 26 Meadow Pipits, 22 Linnets W, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Coot, 5 Blackcaps, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls N, 1 alba Wagtail W, 1 Fieldfare W, 6 Song Thrushes, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 13 Mallard, 7 Goldfinches, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Gannet E, 23 Common Scoter, 2 Turnstone, 2 Kestrels and 1 Short eared Owl.
This afternoon we spent half an hour at the Towers before the rain arrived and counted 6 Sandwich Terns (128th) on the red buoy, 2 Swallows, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Shelduck.

April 1st
April dawned sunny but still with a chilly easterly wind as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and then inland at Reculver. It was pretty quiet but we did see 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 3 Coot, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Linnnets, 1 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Turnstone, 7 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Grey Plover