March 31st
It was bright and breezy this morning on our walk as we recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Linnets, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Chaffinches, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 6 Cormorants, 1 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 singing Blackcap, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 White Wagtail.

White Wagtail

March 30th
On a much better morning than yesterday we completed our hour's walk but did not see a great deal different to previous days. Birds we recorded included 7 Chaffinches, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Gadwall, 6 Cormorants, 3 Skylarks, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Mallard, 1 Coot, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Magpies and 1 Jay.

March 29th
After a squally morning with a NE gale blowing in sleety showers we didn't venture out until after lunch. There was nothing new to be seen on our walk with most small birds sheltering out of sight. We did however count 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Coot, 7 Cormorants, 35 Stock Doves, 4 Mallard and 2 Gadwall.

March 28th
On a very windy morning we completed our regular walk and recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Cormorants, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 6 Mallard, 42 Stock Doves, 2 Gadwall, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldfinches and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull. So far, being limited to this site, we have recorded 49 species since the 24th.
The Firecrest remained in the Eliott's garden at Hillborough for the fourth Day.

March 27th
On our walk this morning we recorded 1 Linnet, 8 Chaffinches, 1 male Blackcap (128th), 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 2 Long-tailed Tits collecting nesting material, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 11 Cormorants, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Coot, 1 Water Rail, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Common Buzzard and 3 Skylarks.

March 26th
This morning on our now  daily walk we recorded 14 Chaffinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 8 Cormorants, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Mallard, 1 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Canada Goose flying E, 1 singing Mistle Thrush and 5 Goldfinches.

Great Crested Grebe

March 25th
We completed the same walk as yesterday which has become our regular early morning walk until this emergency ends. The highlight was 16 Siskins flying E (127th)  but other than that sightings were similar to yesterday with 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Jay, 3 Gadwall, 1 Moorhen, 1 male Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Cormorants, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Chaffinches and 1 Common Buzzard.
During the day Mike Longdon saw a Red Kite at Chamber's Wall and Robin and David Elliot found a Firecrest in their garden at Hillborough.

Firecrest - Robin Elliot

March 24th
On the first day of the government's Coronavirus shutdown we took our permitted daily walk inland at Reculver and saw no one other than a couple of cyclists way out on the seawall. Birds we recorded included 6 Chiffchaffs, 16 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 male Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Cormorants, 2 Stonechats, 3 Gadwall, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Mallard, a pair of displaying Sparrowhawks and 1 Common Buzzard.
My Coronavirus garden list, started today,  so far stands at 19 species with the highlights being a Peregrine chasing the local pigeons and 2 Common Buzzards putting the frighteners on the local Herring Gulls. There is however a long way to go to get anywhere near my all time garden list total over the last 48 years which stands at 142 species.

March 23rd
On our regular morning walk on Reculver Marshes we recorded 14 Goldfinches, 8 Chaffinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 6 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Oystercatchers, 16 Carrion Crows, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Kestrel.

Turnstone

March 22nd
This morning we managed a walk on the Marsh without coming into contact with anyone else. We recorded 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chaffinches, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Skylarks, 7 Mallard, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Coot, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Linnet, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Common Buzzard.
Matt was also out in the Reculver area early this morning and saw 7 Chiffchaffs, 3 Shelduck, 60 Corn Buntings, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 39 Turnstone, 8 Redshank, 1 male and 1 female Red-breasted Mergansers flying E, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Curlew, 8 Yellowhammers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Long-tailed Tits 2 and 1 Firecrest.

Male Chaffinch - Matt Hindle

Blue Tit - Matt Hindle

Marc Heath was also out between 0545 and 0845 and walked from the Towers to Chamber's Wall. Birds he saw included 1 Firecrest, 3 Pied Wagtails, 7 Stock Doves, 8 Oystercatchers, 10 Meadow Pipits, 5 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Mallard, 7 Reed Buntings, 15 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plovers, 13 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 7 Linnets, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Gadwall, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Skylarks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Partrdges, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Kestrel, 34 Corn Buntings, 2 Greylag Geese and 2 Purple Sandpipers.

With the cold easterly wind still blowing we walked out onto the Marsh this afternoon and counted 32 Stock Doves, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Moorhen, 1 male Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 14 Cormorants, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Mallard and 1 Sparrowhawk.

March 21st
Although the sun was shining brightly this morning there was a very blustery and eye watering ENE wind blowing which made viewing conditions difficult. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 8 Chaffinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Chiffchaffs feeding along the river, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Skylarks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 28 Redshank sheltering in Coldharbour, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers and 2 Coot.

Chiffchaff

Matt had a seawatch at Reculver between 0600 and 0730 and saw the following birds flying E: 13 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shelduck, 67 Red-throated Divers, 5 Kittiwakes, 14 Gannets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest in the bushes.
Next he walked inland at Reculver and saw another Firecrest, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Long-tailed Tits.
Later he visited Shuart where he counted 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 6 Mallard.
Marc Heath was also out birding this morning and between 0600 and 0900 walked from the Towers to Chamber's Wall and back. He counted 32 Cormorants, 3 Stock Doves, 7 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 7 Shelduck, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Reed Buntings, 21 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Linnets, 50 Corn Buntings, 9 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Skylarks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Marsh Harrier flying out to sea, 1 Fulmar E, 3 Red-throated Divers E and 5 Common Scoter E.

March 20th
With a chilly, fresh, ENE wind blowing Matt spent from 0645 to 0850 at the Towers and we spent from 0800 to 0850 there. When he arrived at Reculver the first bird he recorded was a singing Firecrest in the bushes. From the Towers he counted the following birds flying E: 53 Red-throated Divers, 1 Razorbill (124th), 15 Gannets off shore, 3 Common Scoter W and 7E, 3 Kittiwakes, 6 large auks, 17 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Shelduck, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper on rocks below the Towers, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull (125th), 2 Curlew, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W and  1 Great Skua (126th).
After this we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 9 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Teal, 2 Mallard, 4 Goldfinches, 10 Cormorants, 2 Chiffchaffs and another singing Firecrest.

March 19th
On a drizzly morning with a cool NE breeze blowing Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He counted 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest singing at Reculver, 9 Shelduck, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Sanderling, 40 Turnstone, 7 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 38 Golden Plover, 6 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 21 Mallard, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 21 Redwings, 2 Lapwings, 58 Corn Buntings and 3 Dunlin.
We were out a bit later and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 9 Skylarks, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Mallard, 2 Grey Partridges, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Ringed Plovers, 10 Turnstone, 3 Shelduck, 7 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sanderling, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 8 Chaffinches and 4 Goldcrests.
This morning Ray O'Reilly saw a Kittiwake (123rd) from the seawall.

March 18th
This morning, at a very quiet Reculver Marshes, we walked from Chamber's Wall out to the sea avoiding direct contact with anyone else. Birds we saw included 8 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Skylarks, 12 Mallard, 3 Greylag Geese, 8 Corn Buntings, 2 Coot, 2 Ravens flying W along the coast and then back E inland, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Linnets W, 2 Redshank and 1 little Egret.

Purple Sandpiper

Stephen Greenstreet found a Black Redstart on the rocks at Reculver.

March 17th
On another beautiful early spring morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 3 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 23 Chaffinches W, 9 Skylarks, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 12 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Greylag Geese, 7 Redshank, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnets W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Coot and 1 singing Firecrest.

March 16th
It was a beautiful, sunny morning with a light westerly breeze blowing as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we counted included 4 Shelduck, 9 Linnets W, 16 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 1 male Shoveler, 88 Corn Buntings, 11 Turnstone, 9 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 alba Wagtails flying W,  1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Stonechats, 1 very flighty male Wheatear (122nd), 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Chiffchaffs in the bushes along the seawall, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Coot and 2 Goldfinches.

Redshank

This afternoon, after work, Marc Heath cycled from the Towers to Coldharbour and recorded 99 Turnstone, 9 Ringed Plovers, 3 Short-eared Owls, 100 Corn Buntings, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 46 Oystercatchers, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 34 Redshank, 32 Sanderling, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Curlew, 1 White Wagtail and 1 Little Egret.

March 15th
It was very blustery this morning with frequent drizzle as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We managed to see 10 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Chaffinches, 7 Skylarks, 11 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Stonechats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Redshank, 2 Greylag Geese, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 1 Kestrel, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 9 Corn Buntings, 2 Coot, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.
Marc Heath was out at 0600 and in three hours walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back via the railway embankment. He counted 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 alba Wagtails, 26 Stock Doves, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Kestrel, 16 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Redshank, 27 Turnstone, 9 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Reed Buntings, 5 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 1 Pheasant, 6 Skylarks, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Coot, 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipits, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Stonechats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 100 Corn Buntings, 8 Yellowhammers, 1 Merlin and 6 Tree Sparrows.

March 14th
On a miserable, overcast and damp morning Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend and Netherhale. He counted 2 Ravens, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 14 alba Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer, 12 Blackbirds, 2 Stonechats, 6 Corn Buntings, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Curlew, 46 Mute Swans, 17 Coot, 2 Greylag Geese, 16 Mallard, 2 Peregrines, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Greenfinches and 2 Kestrels.
Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Goldfinches, 6 Skylarks, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Chaffinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 118 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 1 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Kite flying SW, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We then drove over to Reculver to have a chat with Matt and on our way saw the Red Kite flying over the Roman Galley and at Reculver we saw 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flying S, 1 Peregrine and 1 Greylag Goose.
March Heath was also out this morning and between 0600 and 0900 walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back along the railway embankment. He recorded 35 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 17 Meadow Pipits, 4 Shelduck, 5 Mute Swans, 9 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 5 Greylag Geese, 23 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 7 Reed Buntings, 8 Oystercatchers, 15 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats, 1 Merlin flying out to sea, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Ravens flying E, 120 Corn Buntings, 2 Yellowhammers and 6 Tree Sparrows.
Between us we seem to have covered most of the area this morning.

March 13th
This morning we walked from Reculver and along the seawall and recorded 6 Goldfinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 8 Linnets, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Avocets flying W (121st), 4 Mallard, 115 Corn Buntings, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Part of the flock of 115 Corn Buntings by the Green Wall

Record shot of 2 distant Avocets

Matt was out early again and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and then Plumpudding before returning back along the seawall. Birds he saw included 5 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail flying W, 4 singing Chiffchaffs, 46 Meadow Pipits flying W, 16 Linnet flying W, 21 alba Wagtail, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flying W, 33 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Sanderling, 10 Corn Buntings, 36 Stock Doves, 5 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 49 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Stonechats, 2 Ravens flying W at Coldharbour, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Curlews, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Lapwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Coot, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Yellowhammers.
This afternoon we had a walk at Reculver and saw 5 Yellowhammers, 32 Chaffinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 23 Cormorants, 2 Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

March 12th
There was a different feel to the weather this morning and although it was sunny there was a strong and cool SW wind blowing. Firstly we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Mute Swans, 5 Skylarks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Corn Buntings, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Redshank, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Jay.
Next we had a walk at Reculver and saw 2 Jays, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaffs, 21 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Goldcrest.

Greylag Geese at Coldharbour

Whilst we were at Chamber's Wall, Matt walked around the Shuart area and saw 7 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 14 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Long tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Goldcrests, 14 Mallard, 2 Tufted Ducks and 1 Common Buzzard.

March 11th
After a light shower the sun came out and the temperature rose and it felt very spring like as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm. We counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Skylarks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Song Thrushes, 16 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 4 Bearded Tits, 2 males and 2 females (120th), 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Redshank, 34 Oystercatchers, 340 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Curlews, 17 Turnstone, 21 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 5 Tree Sparrows, 80 Corn Buntings, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Goldfinches, 14 Meadow Pipits, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Female Bearded Tit

Male Bearded Tit

First winter Pale-bellied Brent Goose

Matt was out earlier than us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back via Chamber's Wall. He recorded a good range of species including 182 Dark-bellied Brent Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 singing Chiffchaffs, 44 Meadow Pipits W, 19 alba Wagtails W, 4 Shelduck, 117 Corn Buntings, 3 Curlew, 12 Stonechats, 19 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit W, 5 Greylag Geese, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Woodcock, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Lapwing, 4 Bearded Tits, 5 Dunlin, 5 Tree Sparrows, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Kestrel, 1 Purple Sandpiper and  1 Snipe.

Bearded Tits - Matt Hindle

Male Bearded Tit - Matt Hindle

Tree Sparrow - Matt Hindle

March 10th
It was dull and breezy this morning after the overnight rain. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Green Wall. Birds we saw included 11 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Goldfinches, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 migrant Chiffchaffs, 38 Cormorants, 9 Skylarks, 421 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 45 Stock Doves, 1 Redshank, 23 Oystercatchers, 31 Turnstone, 1 singing male Yellowhammer, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Tree Sparrow, 4 alba Wagtails, 2 Sanderling and 1 Curlew.

Female House Sparrow and Tree Sparrow

March 9th
On another bright and breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 333 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Pied Wagtails, 27 Oystercatchers, 14 Redshank, 8 Mallard, 10 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 7 Skylarks, 41 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 6 Shelduck, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 9 Sanderling and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

March 8th
We waited until the overnight showers had moved through and arrived at a bright but very breezy Reculver at 0815. On our walk to Coldharbour we recorded 40 House Sparrows, 589 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 alba Wagtails W, 8 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swans, 6 Mallard, 17 Turnstone, 10 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Tree Sparrow, 10 Corn Buntings, 12 Reed Buntings, 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, 25 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin and 1 Curlew.

March 7th
On yet another beautiful late winter's morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 40 House Sparrows, 5 Shelduck, 1 Gannet, 4 Turnstone, 10 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 47 Ringed Plovers, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe, 34 Corn Buntings, 186 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Cormorants, 5 Skylarks, 11 Meadow Pipits, 7 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Oystercatchers

2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 7 Sanderling

We met Marc Heath walking back along the seawall after his walk from the Towers to Chamber's Wall and the embankment. Between 0630 and 0900 he counted 190 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 9 Shelduck, 3 Pied Wagtails, 12 Redshank, 19 Meadow Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Reed Buntings, 23 Turnstone, 30 Dark-bellied brent Geese, 3 Linnets, 5 Oystercatchers, 28 Ringed Plovers, 122 Corn Buntings, 3 Pheasants, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Skylarks, 6 Dunlin, 2 Kestrels, 2 Greylag Geese, 7 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Yellowhammers and 2 Tree Sparrows.

March 6th
We spent a lovely, sunny morning at a very quiet Dungeness. Our highlights included finding the 6 Whooper Swans at Appledore and seeing a third winter Caspian Gull at the Patch.
Later, in the afternoon, we walked at Reculver and recorded 2 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail and 12 Chaffinches.

March 5th
The wind had changed direction for the day and was bringing in rain on an moderate, easterly breeze. We spent an hour at the Towers before walking inland and recorded 18 Red-throated Divers flying E, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Common Scoter, 14 Oystercatchers, 7 Common Gulls, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Jays, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Cormorants and 2 Cetti's Warblers.
The total rainfall for the 24 hours at Bishopstone was 29.25mm.

March 4th
It was another calm morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 60 House Sparrows, 53 Oystercatchers, 22 Redshank, 1 Little Owl, 1 Chiffchaff, 33 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Stonechat, 20 Mallard, 70 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Shelduck, 1 Gannet, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 5 Yellowhammers, 42 Golden Plovers and 1 male Marsh Harrier.

Male Shelduck

March 3rd
On a beautiful late winter morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm. We counted 3 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Canada Goose (119th), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Skylarks, 15 Mallard, 5 Song Thrushes, 42 Stock Doves, 7 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 1 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Herons, 35 Corn Buntings, 5 Tree Sparrows and 2 Greylag Geese.

Canada Goose

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend and Netherhale. He recorded 2 Goldcrests, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Stonechats, 6 Common Buzzards, 4 Marsh Harriers, 99 Sanderling, 2 Shelduck, 6 Redshank and 1 Chiffchaff at Plumpudding Stables was our first spring migrant. Other birds seen included 40 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 50 Mute Swans, 12 Coot, 36 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Greylag Geese, 2 Teal, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Kestrels and 2 Redwings.

March 2nd
Although it was overcast it was the first morning for a while when there was virtually no wind as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 2 Kestrels, 168 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Shelduck, 18 Redshank, 17 Mute Swans, 4 Stonechats, 12 Mallard, 13 Oystercatchers, 42 Stock Doves, 140 Corn Buntings in a flock, 1 Yellowhammer, 20 Reed Buntings, 16 Turnstone, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 7 Ringed Plovers, 3 Skylarks, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting along the dykes, 1 Curlew and 70 House Sparrows.

Turnstone

March 1st
On yet another windy morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 356 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 80 House Sparrows, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 20 Corn Buntings, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 13 Turnstone, 22 Ringed Plovers, 3 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 1 Little Egret and 3 Skylarks.
Marc Heath was out earlier than us at 0630 and completed a similar walk but returned along the railway embankment and Green Wall. Birds he saw included 1 Little Owl, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 45 Cormorants, 19 Redshank, 21 Stock Doves, 13 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 25 Reed Buntings, 17 Meadow Pipits, 9 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 6 Skylarks, 1 Marsh Harrier 3 Coot, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Song Thrushes, 7 Yellowhammers and 1 Tree Sparrow.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, although there was still a chilly SW wind blowing, as we walked inland at Reculver and saw 32 Chaffinches, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Cormorants, 2 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 142 Carrion Crows, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Stonechats, 2 Jays, 5 Goldfinches and 1 Kestrel.