May 16th
With the recent, limited changes to the lockdown rules we have been given the go ahead to begin ringing again. So at an increasingly sunny Reculver we had our first ringing session on the Marsh since November. Birds we saw during the morning included 3 Whitethroats, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Moorhen, 1 Jay, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Swallows, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (162nd), 1 Swift and 5 Crossbills (163rd) flying NW.

Birds ringed 25: Chiffchaff 3, Robin 1, Blackcap 6, Garden Warbler 2, Chaffinch 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Great Tit 1, Reed Warbler 2, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 3, Sparrowhawk 1.

Female Sparrowhawk

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0530 and 1000 and during this time walked from Shuart to the Embankment, Cold Harbour, Plumpudding and Brooksend. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 2 displaying Lapwings, 4 Cuckoos, 6 Yellow Wagtails W, 60+ Swifts W, 36 Swallows W, 1 male Wheatear, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 39 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 23 Sedge Warblers, 28 Reed Warblers, 2 Stonechats and 4 pairs of Corn Bunting.