September 30th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Owl, 7 Redshank, 4 Sandwich Terns, 3 Stonechats, 21 Cormorants, 37 Linnets, 46 Carrion Crows, 1 Teal, 1 Rock Pipit, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Oystercatchers, 17 Corn Buntings, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 1 Mallard, 5 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Pied Wagtails, 21 Ringed Plovers, 11 Turnstone, 15 Meadow Pipits and 5 Robins.

Stonechat

Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 1530 and covered virtually all the Marsh between Shuart, Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Brooksend. He had a good day and recorded 6 Grey Herons, 8 Little Egrets, 4 Ravens flying W along the coast, 9 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Kestrels, 18 Sandwich Terns on the beach at Plumpudding, 4 Curlew, 30 Sanderling and 29 Skylarks flying S. He also recorded 50 Swallows flying S, 1 Grey Wagtail S, 1 Wheatear, 48 Redwings, the first of the autumn, 2 Crossbills W (176th), 12 Greenfinches W, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Blackcaps and an impressive total of 130 Chiffchaffs as well as 43 Goldcrests.
He also saw good selection of butterflies including Red Admiral, Peacock, Small and Large White, Small Copper, Speckled Wood and Painted Lady.

Small Copper - Derek Smith

September 29th
With a SW gale and rain this morning we decided to have a look at the sea from Minnis Bay. In the event it was an uneventful seawatch although we did see 258 House Martins flying SW in three tight groups, 1 Gannet, 2 Common Terns, 10 Cormorants, 2 Sandwich Terns E and 400 Herring and 20 Great Black-backed Gulls flying inland from the sandbanks offshore.
Marc Heath also spent an hour at Minnis Bay from 1130 and counted 13 Sandwich Terns, 5 Gannets and 23 House Martins and 121 Swallows flying W.

September 28th
It was sunny with a fresh south wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the White Poplars and on to Coldharbour and the Wantsum outflow. Highlight was an immature Spoonbill flying W (175th) over the shingle ridge at Coldharbour. Other birds we saw included 9 Chiffchaffs, 22 Swallows W, 3 Corn Buntings, 61 Linnets, 1 Goldcrest, 19 Meadow Pipits, 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Stonechat, 43 Ringed Plovers, 1 male Wigeon, 2 Kingfishers, 13 House Martins W, 1 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 5 Coot, 6 Skylarks, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.

Immature Spoonbill

Corn Bunting

At Shuart, Matt saw 2 Hobbies and also a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

September 27th
On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Reculver and along the seawall to the Green Wall. The highlight was an impressive movement of hirundines for about an hour from 0800 when we counted 3,500 House Martins, 1,500 Swallows and 8 Sand Martins. Birds were still dribbling through at 0930 and numbers may pick up again later.
Other birds we saw included 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Stonechats, 5 Robins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Turnstone, 48 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 46 Goldfinches, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Buzzard, 32 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Gannets E, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We also found 8 Red Admirals feeding on ivy flowers in the sunshine by Reculver bushes.

Red Admiral

The Grey Phalarope was seen throughout the day at Grenham Bay.

Grey Phalarope - Terry Wilson

September 26th
With showers threatening this morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 55 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Grey Herons, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Sand Martins W, 2 Redshanks, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 26 Meadow Pipits, 9 Turnstone, 95 Linnets, 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Gannets E, 20 Corn Buntings, 61 Ringed Plovers, 12 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 4 Stonechats, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Grebes and 40 Goldfinches.
Terry Wilson was out at Grenham Bay early this morning and recorded 30 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plovers, 9 Little Egrets, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Pied Wagtails and 1 Redshank. The Grey Phalarope returned later in the morning.

September 25th
This morning Matt visited Minnis Bay where found the first winter Grey Phalarope still there.
He then drove to Reculver and walked up to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. He recorded 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 196 Swallows W, 8 alba Wagtails W, 30 Meadow Pipits, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 10 Sandwich Terns, 11 Little Egrets, 4 Wheatears, 9 Stonechats, 65 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Gannet, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Kestrels, 80 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 House Martins W, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Teal E, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Red- throated Divers E, 1 Common Tern, 1 Greenshank and 9 Chiffchaffs.

First winter Grey Phalarope

September 24th
Today was virtually a washout with heavy rain and a fresh south westerly wind blowing until mid afternoon. However the gloom was lifted when I had an email from Terry Wilson to say that he had refound the first winter Grey Phalarope that was seen at Minnis Bay on the 21st at Grenham Bay but that it had flown towards Reculver. We arrived in the area in pouring rain and walked along the promenade at three places and eventually found it feeding in pools not far from the seawall.

First winter Grey Phalarope

September 23rd
I received a text from Marc Heath last evening to say he had seen a pale wheatear on the seawall during his afternoon run but he thought it was likely to be a pale Northern Wheatear. This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and managed to find the bird on the beach by the end of the Green Wall and I took a series of photos and after deliberation consider that it is a leucistic Northern Wheatear.

Leucistic Northern Wheatear

Other birds seen this morning included 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Sandwich Terns, 14 Cormorants, 1 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 10 Stonechats, 148 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Whinchat, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Wheatears, 1 Greenshank, 26 Meadow Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 20 Reed Buntings, 37 Ringed Plovers, 11 Turnstone, 6 Skylarks, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 29 Swallows W and 1 Corn Bunting.

Whinchat

September 22nd
Back at Reculver this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the White Poplars. We saw 9 Chiffchaffs, 67 Linnets, 4 Robins, 9 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 52 Goldfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Stonechats, 10 Reed Buntings, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Coots, 5 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons plus a group of 7 flying high west and 1 Kestrel.

5 of the 7 Grey Herons flying west

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0700 and 1200 walked from Shuart to the embankment and on to Coldharbour. He recorded 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe S, 8 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Brambling, 30 Chaffinches W, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 4 Pied Wagtails W, 40 Blackbirds, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 46 Chiffchaffs, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Firecrests, 14 Goldcrests, 6 Stonechats and 1 Corn Bunting.

We've been catching quite a few Blackcaps in the last few weeks and a first year male we caught at Reculver on Sept 12th had originally been ringed at Woolston Eyes, Warrington on 27th August 2019. It had flown 337 km Se to reach Reculver.

September 21st
Today Anne and I returned from a few days away in the Austrian Alps.

Nutcracker

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment between 0700 and 1000 and saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 34 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 18 Goldcrests.
Steve Tomlinson reported seeing a Grey Phalarope (174th) feeding on the sea at Minnis Bay.

September 20th
Matt walked from Reculver along the seawall to Plumpudding and then back to Reculver via the railway embankment. Birds seen were 1 Red throated Diver E, 8 Kestrels, 43 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe W, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Wheatear, 70 Goldfinches, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Dunlin, 2 Stonechats, 2 Little Egrets, 240 Linnets, 15 Corn Buntings, 154 Mallard, 9 Teal, 15 Brent Geese W, 1 Reed Warbler, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Coot, 4 Moorhens and 1 Blackcap. 

September 19th
Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he observed 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Blackcaps, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat, and 1 Jay.

Birds ringed 27: Chiffchaff 8, Willow Warbler 1, Goldcrest 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 5, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 1, Great Tit 2, Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2.

During the afternoon Matt walked from Reculver to Chambers Wall via the railway embankment and then back along the seawall and his highlight was a Purple Heron (173rd) that flew from Chambers Wall area high south until lost to view over Marshside. This was the 15th record for Reculver since the first one seen in 1968.
Other birds included 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 45 Ringed Plovers, 16 Stonechat, 6 alba Wagtails, 4 Swallows, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Sandwich Terns, 5 Sanderling, 5 Corn Buntings, 4 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flying west, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Snipe.

September 18th
Matt had a ringing session at Shuart this morning and birds seen included 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Ring necked Parakeet and 6 Swallows.

Birds ringed 24: Goldcrest 2, Long-tailed Tit 2, Chiffchaff 5, Wren 1, Blackcap 7, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2, Magpie 1.

September 17th
Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver and birds seen included 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Grey Wagtails, 34 Chiffchaffs, 35 Blackcaps, 12 Goldcrests, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Jays.

Birds ringed 62: Chiffchaff 21, Goldcrest 9, Willow Warbler 1, Wren 2, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 24, Great Tit 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

He then spent a couple of hours birding around the Towers and the clifftop and saw
5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Gannets, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Common Terns, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Common Buzzards and 16 Grey Partridges.

September 16th
I had limited time this morning so I spent 45 minutes walking around Reculver bushes and the Towers. I saw 15 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wheatear, 1 House Martin and 4 Robins on the rocks at the car park.

September 15th
On another beautiful autumn morning we completed the same walk as yesterday and saw 2 Swallows, 37 Chiffchaffs, 2 Little Owls, 14 Cormorants, 4 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 53 Linnets, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Turnstone, 2 Wheatears, 6 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Greenshank, 91 Mallard, 2 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Goldfinches and 1 Common Buzzard.

September 14th
On a glorious early autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall along the Green Wall and back by way of Coldharbour. We recorded 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 122 Linnets, 5 Goldfinches, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Swallows, 9 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 19 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 32 Mallard, 3 Coot and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

Spotted Flycatcher

September 13th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. It was pretty quiet but we did manage to see 1 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaffs, 6 Swallows, 77 Linnets, 94 Mallard, 9 Corn Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Robins, 1 Jay, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard.

Whimbrel

September 12th
We spent an increasingly warm morning ringing at Reculver and saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 35 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Tree Pipit W, 2 Goldcrests, 2 House Martins W, 14 Swallows W, 4 Sand Martins W, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Jay.

Birds ringed 54: Long-tailed Tit 2, Chiffchaff 11, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 23, Reed Warbler 6, Blue Tit 3, Robin 2, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 3.

First year male Blackcap

This afternoon we walked from  Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded a good westerly passage of hirundines. In 70 minutes we counted 1,400 Swallows, 1,050 House Martins and 350 Sand Martins.
Other birds we saw included 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 110 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Sandwich Terns W, 3 Knot W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 3 Wheatears, 13 Corn Buntings and 3 Chiffchaffs.

September 11th
On a breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Shuart and counted 7 Chiffchaffs, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, 1 Greenshank, 11 Goldfinches, 42 Linnets, 27 Swallows W and 140 feeding over maize fields, 24 Sand Martins W, 4 Wheatears, 3 Grey Herons, 15 Ringed Plovers, 7 Kestrels, 1 Hobby, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 1 Goldcrest, 1 adult winter Mediterranean Gull W, 24 Meadow Pipits, 1 Mallard, 3 Sandwich Terns, 200 House Sparrows at the stables, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Reed Warbler.
Terry Wilson counted the birds at the high tide roost at Plumpudding lagoon where he saw 80 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 10 Turnstone and 25 Sanderlings.

September 10th
We spent a lovely sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Whinchat, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 100 Linnets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 1 Ringed Plover, 14 Greenfinches, 2 Jays, 17 Swallows, 1 Whimbrel W, 1 Hobby, 6 House Martins and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 65: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 9, Reed Bunting 12, Sedge Warbler 7, Reed Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 2, Whinchat 1, Goldfinch 4, Whitethroat 3, Great Tit 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Greenfinch 8, Dunnock 3, Blackbird 3.

First year Whinchat

September 9th
We managed a couple of hours ringing at Reculver this morning before "rain stopped play." During this time we saw 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 35 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 50 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Birds ringed 37: Goldcrest 1, Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 3, Blackcap 23, Reed Warbler 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

On an overcast afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. Bird we saw included 2 Whinchats, 41 Swallows, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Coot, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 81 Mallard, 4 Wheatears, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechats, 2 Sand Martins W and 1 Swift W.

September 8th
With similar weather conditions to yesterday we did the same walk but found that the bushes were empty of migrants with the exception of one or two Chiffchaffs. We saw 7 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 11 Linnets, 8 Corn Buntings, 28 Wigeon W, 2 Wheatears, 1 Little Egret, 85 Sanderling, 21 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 4 Coot, 44 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Redshank, 1 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Shoveler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 3 Swallows.

Male Wigeon

Derek Smith was at the Towers at first light and remained ther until 0715 recording 13 Common Scoter W, 6 Gannets W, 32 Sandwich Terns E, 2 adult Arctic Skuas W and 3 Great Skuas W.
After this he walked along the railway embankment from Shuart to the Wantsum and recorded 8 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 1 Whimbrel W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Chiffchaffs and 5 Corn Buntings.

Sea Aster - Derek Smith

September 7th
On a sunny and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the Green Wall returning via Coldharbour. We recorded 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 Goldfinches, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Curlew, 20 Swallows W, 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Tree Pipits at the White Poplars, 61 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 1 Lapwing, 3 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Whimbrel W, 2 Wheatears, 14 Sandwich Terns, 7 Sanderling, 30 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 6 Turnstone, 4 Coot, 42 Oystercatchers, 12 Chaffinches and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.

Roosting Sanderling

September 6th
On an increasingly breezy and chilly morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back again. We saw 14 Cormorants, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Turnstone, 32 Sandwich Terns W, 5 Wheatears, 42 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whinchat, 6 Swallows W, 2 Sand Martins W, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Dunlin, 4 Sanderling, 1 Peregrine, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 116 Linnets, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Oystercatchers, 8 Corn Buntings, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Coot, 1 Hobby and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Wheatear

This morning at Plumpudding lagoon Terry Wilson saw 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 10 Ringed Plovers amd 1 Little Egret. He also saw a Pied Flycatcher in the bushes at the Riding Centre.

September 5th
As there was a chilly and fresh NW wind blowing this morning I arrived at the Towers at 0630 with the hope that something might be flying past but it was a disappointment. All I saw in an hour were 11 Sandwich Terns and 15 Common Terns in the distance and 2 Little Egrets flying W.
We then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour seeing 20 Swallows, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Corn Buntings, 17 Sandwich Terns and 2 Coot.

Sandwich Terns

September 4th
This morning we got soaked as we walked from Reculver to Shuart. Birds we saw included 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Robins on the rocks at Reculver, 1 Kingfisher, 26 Swallows W, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 2 Kestrels, 6 Oystercatchers, 13 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 13 Meadow Pipits, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Ringed Plovers, 11 Sand Martins W, 1 Coot, 95 House Sparrows, 6 Turnstone, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the mud at Plumpudding, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Reed Warbler.
Matt met one of the farm workers at Shuart yesterday who told him that he had seen a Bittern (172nd)  by a dyke near the railway at Shuart about three weeks ago and showed him a photograph he had taken.

September 3rd
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 2 Sparrowhawks, 100 Linnets, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Sedge Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whinchats, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 21 Swallows and 19 House Martins flying S, 2 Kestrels, 20 Goldfinches and 2 Willow Warblers.

Birds ringed 50: Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 2, Wren 1, Blackcap 5, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 6, Robin 2, Sedge Warbler 11, Linnet 4, Goldfinch 3, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 2, Chaffinch 1, Whitethroat 6, Greenfinch 1.

Grasshopper Warbler

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. We recorded 6 Common Buzzards, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 42 Oystercatchers, 25 Swallows W, 6 Sand Martins W, 29 Sandwich Terns, 7 Wheatears, 90 Ringed Plovers, 26 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 20 Turnstone, 2 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

September 2nd
On a beautiful early autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and back along the Green Wall where we found a very elusive juvenile Red-backed Shrike (171st).

Juvenile Red-backed Shrike

Other bird seen on our walk included 16 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warblers, 4 Robins, 2 Teal, 3 Grey Herons, 53 Linnets, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Redshank, 1 Wheatear, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snipe, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 18 Meadow Pipits.

September 1st
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Jays, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Common Buzzard, 30 Blackcaps, 20 Reed Warblers, 10 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Hobbies and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 48: Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 3, Sedge Warbler 3, Blackcap 17, Reed Warbler 13, Robin 1, Blue Tit 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2.

This afternoon we spent an hour on the beach at Coldharbour where we saw 3 Common Sandpipers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits with 1 Knot flying W, 16 Swallows W, 11 Sandwich Terns, 4 Dunlin and 1 Grey Heron.

5 of the 6 Bar-tailed Godwits and 1 Knot

This afternoon Matt and Marion had a cycle ride around the area and found a calling Coal Tit at May Street and at Minnis Bay 600 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Knot, 30 Sanderling, 40 Turnstone and 20 Dunlin.