September 29th

The arrival of rain at Shuart this morning put an abrupt halt to our ringing activities but we did manage to see 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Siskins, 8 Redwings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Chaffinches, 3 Swallows, 3 Snipe, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Flycatcher,1 Dunlin and 1 Ringed Plover. 

 Birds ringed 14: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 2, Reed Bunting 2, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0700 and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour before returning along the railway embankment and Brooksend and getting back to Shuart at 1500. His highlight  was finding a Dartford Warbler (192nd)  near Coldharbour. Other birds he recorded included 9 Wigeon E, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Sandwich Terns W, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Curlew, 26 Sanderling, 42 Golden Plovers, 8 Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Grey Wagtails W, 660 Swallows W, 5 Stonechats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcaps, 6 Reed Warblers, 65 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests and 78 Siskins W.

Leucistic Goldfinch - Derek Smith

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour in warm sunshine and recorded 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 1 Redstart, 40 Swallows, 12 House Martins, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Peregrine, 6 Goldfinches, 7 Redshank, 7 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 14 Turnstone, 16 Ringed Plovers, 2 Mallard, 5 Stonechats and 1 Mediterranean Gull. We also managed to refind the Dartford Warbler that Derek discovered this morning. Anne saw it briefly and then we both heard it calling repeatedly for about  minute from the bottom of a bush in a dyke near Coldharbour.

Matt was also out this afternoon and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He counted 10 Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 380 Swallows W, 930 House Martins W, 4 Sand Martins W, 18 Stonechats, 11 Wigeon, 25 Corn Buntings, 5 Little Egrets, 21 Chiffchaffs, 74 Ringed Plovers, 134 Turnstone, 7 Dunlin, 15 Rock Pipits W, 15 alba Wagtails W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 9 Redshank, 33 Siskins W, 3 Kestrels, 93 Sanderling, 8 Golden Plover, 9 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 160 Oystercatchers, 40 Mallard, 1 Wheatear, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Knot, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Blackcap and 2 Merlins (male and female). He also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.