June 30th
We spent a warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 7 Blackcaps, 24 Swifts W, 16 Sand Martins, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Jays, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Reed Warblers, 5 Goldfinches and 1 Little Egret.
Birds ringed 40: Long-tailed Tit 2, Great Tit 14, Whitethroat 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blackcap 4, Blue Tit 6, Reed Warbler 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 6, Green Woodpecker 1.
This afternoon whilst sitting in our garden at Bishopstone we had a Red Kite fly W at about 1500 as well as 50-60 Swifts feeding high and moving W.
Saturday, 29 June 2019
June 29th
On an increasingly hot and humid morning we arrived at Reculver earlier than usual and walked up to Coldharbour. We counted 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Swift, 1 Common Tern, 2 Curlew, 13 Cormorants, 5 Grey Herons, 11 Mallard, 13 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 10 Linnets, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Turnstone and 5 Ringed Plovers.
On an increasingly hot and humid morning we arrived at Reculver earlier than usual and walked up to Coldharbour. We counted 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Swift, 1 Common Tern, 2 Curlew, 13 Cormorants, 5 Grey Herons, 11 Mallard, 13 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 10 Linnets, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Turnstone and 5 Ringed Plovers.
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| Grey Herons |
Friday, 28 June 2019
June 28th
It was still very quiet this morning on our walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Swift, 2 Goldfinches, 12 Cormorants, 7 Skylarks, 10 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 12 Shelduck, 6 Coot and 1 Common Tern.
Chris Tedder walked from Chamber's Wall to Shuart and though ornithologically it was quiet she counted 58 Painted Ladies and found a Norfolk Hawker dragonfly.
It was still very quiet this morning on our walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Swift, 2 Goldfinches, 12 Cormorants, 7 Skylarks, 10 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 12 Shelduck, 6 Coot and 1 Common Tern.
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| Greylag Goose in Coldharbour |
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| Norfolk Hawker - Chris Tedder |
Thursday, 27 June 2019
June 27th
It felt more like October than Flaming June this morning at Reculver with 20mph NE wind blowing in off the sea. There wasn't a great deal to be seen as we walked up to Coldharbour but we did seen 3 Swifts, 8 Little Egrets, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Linnets, 6 Cormorants, 3 Coot, 2 Turnstone, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull E, 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Kestrel and 1 Curlew.
It felt more like October than Flaming June this morning at Reculver with 20mph NE wind blowing in off the sea. There wasn't a great deal to be seen as we walked up to Coldharbour but we did seen 3 Swifts, 8 Little Egrets, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Linnets, 6 Cormorants, 3 Coot, 2 Turnstone, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull E, 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Kestrel and 1 Curlew.
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Biting Stonecrop |
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
June 26th
So where's the heat wave? We arrived at an overcast and drizzly Chamber's Wall where there was a chilly northerly wind blowing and walked up to Coldharbour and saw 2 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Moorhen, 3 Common Terns, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Swifts, 2 Ringed Plovers and 1 Kestrel.
So where's the heat wave? We arrived at an overcast and drizzly Chamber's Wall where there was a chilly northerly wind blowing and walked up to Coldharbour and saw 2 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Moorhen, 3 Common Terns, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull E, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Swifts, 2 Ringed Plovers and 1 Kestrel.
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| Meadow Pipit on Sea Beet plant |
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| Immature Great-Black-backed Gull |
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
June 25th
With the overnight thunderstorms moving off north towards Essex we arrived at a surprisingly breezy Reculver and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 17 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 16 Mallard, 50 Sand Martins feeding over an oil seed rape field, 6 Ringed Plovers, 9 Cormorants, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Turnstone, 12 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swift, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Kestrel. As we arrived back at the Roman walls at Reculver the sun came out and about 15 Painted Ladies emerged from the ivy covering the walls.
With the overnight thunderstorms moving off north towards Essex we arrived at a surprisingly breezy Reculver and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 17 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 16 Mallard, 50 Sand Martins feeding over an oil seed rape field, 6 Ringed Plovers, 9 Cormorants, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Turnstone, 12 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swift, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Kestrel. As we arrived back at the Roman walls at Reculver the sun came out and about 15 Painted Ladies emerged from the ivy covering the walls.
Monday, 24 June 2019
June 24th
On a "steamy" morning with the temperature reaching 25℃ we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 8 Swifts around the Towers, 1 Little Owl, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 11 Linnets, 2 Turnstone, 8 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck, 9 Mallard and our first juvenile Black-headed Gull flying E.
On a "steamy" morning with the temperature reaching 25℃ we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 8 Swifts around the Towers, 1 Little Owl, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 11 Linnets, 2 Turnstone, 8 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck, 9 Mallard and our first juvenile Black-headed Gull flying E.
Sunday, 23 June 2019
June 23rd
Although it was a warm morning it gradually clouded over as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 1 Little Owl, 19 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 10 Sand Martins, 12 Linnets, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Curlew, 13 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Although it was a warm morning it gradually clouded over as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 1 Little Owl, 19 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 10 Sand Martins, 12 Linnets, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Curlew, 13 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.
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| Little Owl |
Saturday, 22 June 2019
June 22nd
We spent another sunny morning ringing, this time at Reculver. During the morning we saw 16 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Grey Heron.
Also amongst the damselflies and butterflies we saw 1 Brown Hawker, 10 Banded Demoiselles, 1 Emperor Dragonfly and 3 Large Skipper butterflies.
Birds ringed 39: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 15, Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 6, Robin 3, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2
We spent another sunny morning ringing, this time at Reculver. During the morning we saw 16 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Grey Heron.
Also amongst the damselflies and butterflies we saw 1 Brown Hawker, 10 Banded Demoiselles, 1 Emperor Dragonfly and 3 Large Skipper butterflies.
Birds ringed 39: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 15, Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 6, Robin 3, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2
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| Large Skipper |
Friday, 21 June 2019
June 21st
We spent a beautiful sunny June morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Blackaps, 14 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Swift, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Greenfinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard and 8 Reed Warblers.
We also found 1 Broad-bodied Chaser and 1 Hairy and 1 Emperor Dragonfly.
Birds ringed 29: Robin 2, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 10, Cetti's Warbler 3, Chaffinch 1, Reed Warbler 4, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 2
We spent a beautiful sunny June morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Blackaps, 14 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Swift, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Greenfinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard and 8 Reed Warblers.
We also found 1 Broad-bodied Chaser and 1 Hairy and 1 Emperor Dragonfly.
Birds ringed 29: Robin 2, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 10, Cetti's Warbler 3, Chaffinch 1, Reed Warbler 4, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 2
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| Male Lesser Whitethroat |
Thursday, 20 June 2019
June 20th
As the overnight showers moved away this morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 2 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Little Owl, 4 Mute Swans, 19 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Mallard, 3 Little Egret, 6 Swifts W, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Mediterranean Gulls flying high E and calling, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Ringed Plovers and 1 Stonechat.
We also found a patch of 33 Pyramidal Orchids at their usual location close to Coldharbour.
As the overnight showers moved away this morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 2 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Little Owl, 4 Mute Swans, 19 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Mallard, 3 Little Egret, 6 Swifts W, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Mediterranean Gulls flying high E and calling, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Ringed Plovers and 1 Stonechat.
We also found a patch of 33 Pyramidal Orchids at their usual location close to Coldharbour.
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| Pyramidal Orchid |
Wednesday, 19 June 2019
June 19th
With overnight thunder and heavy rain continuing this morning we didn't get out until after lunch. On our walk along the seawall from Reculver we saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 18 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Swifts W. We also saw a Painted Lady.
With overnight thunder and heavy rain continuing this morning we didn't get out until after lunch. On our walk along the seawall from Reculver we saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 18 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Swifts W. We also saw a Painted Lady.
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| Painted Lady |
Tuesday, 18 June 2019
June 18th
On a muggy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 16 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 adult Moorhen with 3 juveniles, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Common Tern, 12 Shelduck, 9 Skylarks, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 LIttle Egrets, 14 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats, 7 MUte Swans, 1 Grey Partridge, 5 Linnets and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
Yesterday I received information about one of the ten Long-tailed Tits we caught on June 14th at Shuart. It had originally been ringed at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory on 25th October 2016.
On a muggy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 16 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 adult Moorhen with 3 juveniles, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Common Tern, 12 Shelduck, 9 Skylarks, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 LIttle Egrets, 14 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats, 7 MUte Swans, 1 Grey Partridge, 5 Linnets and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
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| Yellow Horned Poppy |
Yesterday I received information about one of the ten Long-tailed Tits we caught on June 14th at Shuart. It had originally been ringed at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory on 25th October 2016.
Monday, 17 June 2019
June 17th
There was not much to be seen as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. Even though there was "a plague" of pollen beetles between Reculver and the Green Wall we managed to see 10 Linnets, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Ringed Plovers, 12 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern and 1 Redshank.
There was not much to be seen as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. Even though there was "a plague" of pollen beetles between Reculver and the Green Wall we managed to see 10 Linnets, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Ringed Plovers, 12 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern and 1 Redshank.
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| Dyer's Greenweed successfully spreading from the original plant |
Sunday, 16 June 2019
June 16th
On another very quiet morning with only resident birds seen we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. We recorded 6 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Mallard, 13 Whitethroats, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Shelduck, 6 Skylarks, 4 Coot, 3 Little Egrets, 13 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Swifts W and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
On another very quiet morning with only resident birds seen we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. We recorded 6 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Mallard, 13 Whitethroats, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Shelduck, 6 Skylarks, 4 Coot, 3 Little Egrets, 13 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Swifts W and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
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| Female Yellow Wagtail |
Saturday, 15 June 2019
June 15th
We had another ringing session this morning this time on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Mallard, 3 Grey Partridges, 6 Sedge Warblers, 12 Lapwings W, 1 Common Tern, 12 Cormorants, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 12 Reed Warblers.
Birds ringed 17: Chaffinches 2, Reed Warbler 6, Blackcap 1, Whitethroat 5, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.
We had another ringing session this morning this time on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Mallard, 3 Grey Partridges, 6 Sedge Warblers, 12 Lapwings W, 1 Common Tern, 12 Cormorants, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 12 Reed Warblers.
Birds ringed 17: Chaffinches 2, Reed Warbler 6, Blackcap 1, Whitethroat 5, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.
Friday, 14 June 2019
June 14th
We spent a much more pleasant morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Red-legged Partridges, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Greenfinches, 5 Swifts, 6 Goldfinches, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrels. We also found 2 Norfolk Hawkers.
Birds ringed 44: Long-tailed Tit 9, Wren 2, Great Tit 9, Blackcap 9, Blue Tit 8, Robin 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2.
We spent a much more pleasant morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Red-legged Partridges, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Greenfinches, 5 Swifts, 6 Goldfinches, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrels. We also found 2 Norfolk Hawkers.
Birds ringed 44: Long-tailed Tit 9, Wren 2, Great Tit 9, Blackcap 9, Blue Tit 8, Robin 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2.
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| Juvenile Robin |
Thursday, 13 June 2019
June 13th
The highlight on a very showery morning of our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour was a movement of 69 Swifts flying low W around the showers in the space of 20 minutes. Other birds we saw include 2 Goldfinches, 4 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
The highlight on a very showery morning of our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour was a movement of 69 Swifts flying low W around the showers in the space of 20 minutes. Other birds we saw include 2 Goldfinches, 4 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
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| Shelduck family |
Wednesday, 12 June 2019
June 12th
With heavy rain threatened we got away with a few drips on our walk this morning from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We counted 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Moorhen with 1 juvenile, 6 Whitethroats, 8 Skylarks, 2 Coots with 6 juveniles, 1 Common Tern, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck with 10 ducklings, 5 Linnets, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 1 Blackcap.
With heavy rain threatened we got away with a few drips on our walk this morning from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We counted 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Moorhen with 1 juvenile, 6 Whitethroats, 8 Skylarks, 2 Coots with 6 juveniles, 1 Common Tern, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck with 10 ducklings, 5 Linnets, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 1 Blackcap.
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
June 11th
On a much better morning with even the glimpse of the sun we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. There wasn't a great deal about but we did mange to record 2 Goldfinches, 4 Pied Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Mute Swans, 7 Cormorants, 11 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck, 10 Ringed Plovers, 11 Mallard, 4 Tursnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 15 Sand Martins.
On a much better morning with even the glimpse of the sun we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. There wasn't a great deal about but we did mange to record 2 Goldfinches, 4 Pied Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Mute Swans, 7 Cormorants, 11 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck, 10 Ringed Plovers, 11 Mallard, 4 Tursnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 15 Sand Martins.
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| The male of a pair of Oystercatchers |
Sunday, 9 June 2019
June 9th
The morning began with a very nice bird when Derek Smith had a male Golden Oriole flying W at 0615 from Shuart towards Chamber's Wall. Other birds he saw on his walk from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding between 0530 and 0900 included 1 Little Egret E offshore, 4 Cormnorants feeding offshore, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Dunlin, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 26 Reed Warblers, 28 Sedge Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.
We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Fulmar W, 4 Whitethroats, 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 32 Mallard, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Sandwich Terns W, 1 immature Eider, 2 Common Terns, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Grey Partridge flying off the beach near Coldharbour. We also saw a Painted Lady butterfly.
For the second year running, today we had at least 7 Long-horned Bees feeding on Nepeta or Catmint in our garden.
The morning began with a very nice bird when Derek Smith had a male Golden Oriole flying W at 0615 from Shuart towards Chamber's Wall. Other birds he saw on his walk from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding between 0530 and 0900 included 1 Little Egret E offshore, 4 Cormnorants feeding offshore, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Dunlin, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 26 Reed Warblers, 28 Sedge Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.
We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Fulmar W, 4 Whitethroats, 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 32 Mallard, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Sandwich Terns W, 1 immature Eider, 2 Common Terns, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Grey Partridge flying off the beach near Coldharbour. We also saw a Painted Lady butterfly.
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| Male Yellow Wagtail catching pollen beetles on the seawall |
For the second year running, today we had at least 7 Long-horned Bees feeding on Nepeta or Catmint in our garden.
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| Male Long-horned Bee |
Saturday, 8 June 2019
Friday, 7 June 2019
May 29th to June 6th - Arctic Norway and Finland
Anne and I have been away for the last nine days in Arctic Norway and Finland. We spent some time at Porsanger Fjord and then drove over to Varanger. Highlight was seeing 11 Lesser White-fronted Geese at Stabbursdalen which was a new species for me. We also saw an excellent range of Arctic breeding species.
Anne and I have been away for the last nine days in Arctic Norway and Finland. We spent some time at Porsanger Fjord and then drove over to Varanger. Highlight was seeing 11 Lesser White-fronted Geese at Stabbursdalen which was a new species for me. We also saw an excellent range of Arctic breeding species.
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| Male Pine Grosbeak |
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| Long-tailed Skua |
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| Adult White-tailed Eagle |
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| Red-necked Phalarope |
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| Willow Grouse |
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| Female Long-tailed Duck |
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| Kittiwake |
June 6th
This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back along the Green Wall and saw 3 Little Egrets, 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull, 1 Grey Plover, 41 Swifts, 100 Sand Martins, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Tern, 14 Shelduck, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards and 3 Kestrels.
June 5th
Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroat, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Jays.
Birds ringed 35: Long-tailed Tit 4, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 3, Blue Tit 1, Whitethroat 5, Robin 3, Reed Warbler 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Dunnock 3. Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 4, Jay 2.
Terry Wilson was out at the eastern end of the Marsh and saw 12 Shelduck, 30 Swifts W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 1 Marsh Harrier.
This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back along the Green Wall and saw 3 Little Egrets, 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull, 1 Grey Plover, 41 Swifts, 100 Sand Martins, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Tern, 14 Shelduck, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards and 3 Kestrels.
June 5th
Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroat, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Jays.
Birds ringed 35: Long-tailed Tit 4, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 3, Blue Tit 1, Whitethroat 5, Robin 3, Reed Warbler 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Dunnock 3. Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 4, Jay 2.
Terry Wilson was out at the eastern end of the Marsh and saw 12 Shelduck, 30 Swifts W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and 1 Marsh Harrier.
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| Shelduck family - Terry Wilson |
