October 20th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Green Wall and railway embankment. We recorded 1 Marsh Harrier, 55 Chaffinches W, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Robins, 4 Chiffchaffs, 32 Reed Buntings, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Stonechats, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards, 16 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 22 Skylarks, 26 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 juvenile Gannet W, 21 Meadow Pipits, 28 Carrion Crows, 2 Little Grebes, 36 Corn Buntings, 2 Bearded Tits, 20 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron and 4 Coot. We also got tantalising views of a skein of 81 geese flying high and east out at sea.

Part of the skein of geese flying east out at sea

We met Marc Heath as he walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the embankment. He saw 3 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron, 72 Cormorants, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails, 30 Meadow Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Sandwich Terns, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Curlews, 39 Chaffinches, 26 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 12 Gannets, 29 Corn Buntings, 8 Skylarks, 1 Greenfinch, 42 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Mute Swans, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 30 Mallard, 2 Grey Plovers, 50 Goldfinches, 100 House Sparrows, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 7 Fieldfares W, 1 Wheatear and 13 Brent Geese E.
Derek Smith was also out and had an excellent visit between 0730 and 1330. He walked from Shuart to Brooksend and then on to Plumpudding and the embankment. Birds he counted included 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Little Gulls W, 56 Stock Doves, 9 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Ring Ouzel, 80 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 36 alba Wagtails W, 450 Starlings W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker W, 1 Wheatear, 725 Chaffinches W, 3 Brambling W, 86 Goldfinches W, 42 Greenfinches W, 356 Siskins W, 1 Crossbill W, 55 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 45 Goldcrests and 19 Corn Buntings.
From 1400 to 1600 Derek then walked at Shuart and Plumpudding and counted 24 Gannets E, 3 Little Gulls E, 18 Redwings W, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 34 Chaffinches W and 1 Yellowhammer.

Yellowhammer - Derek Smith