October 31st

On a blustery morning we began by walking around the Shuart area where we counted 2 Kestrels, 5 Skylarks, 11 Goldfinches, 13 Song Thrushes, 1 Common Buzzard, 19 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Redwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 200 Starlings flying W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Goldcrests. Next we walked at various sites at Reculver and saw 6 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 4 Goldcrests, 19 Mute Swans, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 immature Peregrine out at sea, 1 Curlew, 8 Gannets flying W, 1 Red-throated Diver, 160 Starlings flying W and 95 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

October 30th

On a mild but very blustery morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 5 Chaffinches, 7 Skylarks, 2 Redwings, 7 Song Thrushes, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Bearded Tits, 1 Little Egret, 13 Redshank, 38 Sanderling, 52 Turnstone, 20 Ringed Plovers, 1 Gannet, 1 Dunlin, 2 Golden Plovers and 1 Green Woodpecker.

While we were at Chamber's Wall, Matt walked around the Shuart area and saw 60 Lapwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrests, 6 Redwings, the unringed Dusky Warbler, 3 Common Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Gadwall, 80 Mallard and 1 Fieldfare. At Reculver he saw 1 Chiffchaff  and 1 Swallow.

Chris Tedder also saw a Great Northern Diver.

October 29th

With rain threatening and the weather overcast I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back this morning. I saw 1 Kestrel, 3 Skylarks, 21 Redwings, 4 Goldcrests, 9 Blackbirds, 9 Robins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Goldfinches, 6 Chaffinches, 2 Coot, 7 Reed Buntings, 25 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 2 Swallows flying W, 41 Turnstone, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 9 Meadow Pipits, 54 Ringed Plovers, 9 Sanderling, 24 Grey Plovers, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 100 Oystercatchers, 10 Golden Plovers and 9 Long-tailed Tits.

October 28th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 3 Pied Wagtails, 26 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Egrets, 46 Redshank, 1 Red-throated Diver, 43 Turnstone, 1 Merlin, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Plovers, 44 Ringed Plovers, 26 Sanderling, 44 Carrion Crows, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 House Martin.

Grey Plover

This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He counted 1 Mediterranean Gull, 36 Gannets feeding offshore, 2 Little Egrets, 122 Turnstone, 73 Ringed Plovers, 6 Rock Pipits, 10 Stonechats, 4 Kestrels, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher, 15 Grey Plovers, 51 Redshank, 195 Sanderling, 1 adult Peregrine, 22 Skylarks, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail flying W, 18 Curlews, 100 Oystercatchers, 12 alba Wagtails, 18 Corn Buntings, 1 Greenfinch, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 2 Siskins flying W, 58 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Crossbills flying W, 3 Coot, 55 Golden Plovers, 12 Swallows flying W and 16 Robins.

Today we received information concerning two ringed birds. The first was a adult male Lesser Redpoll we caught yesterday that had been ringed at Brandon, Norfolk on the 8th March 2019. It had moved 129 km SSE to reach Reculver Marshes. The second bird was a juvenile Great Tit we ringed on Reculver Marshes on 12th July that was controlled at Gazen Salts Nature Reserve, Sandwich on 23rd October a distance of 13 km SE.

October 27th

We managed a couple of hours ringing on the Marsh south of the railway before the forecast rain arrived at 0900. We saw 120 Cormorants flying out to sea, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 15 Redwings, 1 Stonechat, 18 Redpolls, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Reed Buntings, 1 Brambling, 16 Chaffinches, 4 Siskins and 52 Golden Plovers.

Birds ringed 26: Chiffchaff 1, Robin 2, Blackcap 1, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 13, Stonechat 1, Chaffinch 4, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

Male Stonechat

October 26th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 37 Skylarks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 34 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Bramblings, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Stonechat, 1 Little Owl, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Curlew, 1 Redpoll, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 25 Reed Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 12 Linnets, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Siskins, 3 Corn Buntings, 12 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 immature Peregrine, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 House Martins and 2 Swallows. 

We also saw and heard one of the two  Dusky Warblers we first recorded on the 23rd. It was the bird we hadn't ringed.

Birds ringed 23: Reed Bunting 10, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 1, Robin 1, Stonechat 1, Dunnock 2, Redwing 1, Blackbird 6.

First year female Stonechat

 On July 20th we controlled a Portuguese ringed adult male Reed Warbler at our Reculver ringing site. Today I received its ringing details. It had been ringed as an adult bird at Herdade dos Forninhos, Beja, PORTUGAL on 16th August 2019. Beja is 1,705 km SSW of Reculver.

October 25th

Marc Heath arrived at the Towers at 0630 and walked up to Coldharbour. He saw 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Black Redstart, 5 Little Egrets, 24 Turnstone, 8 Meadow Pipits, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 8 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers, 5 Red-throated Divers, 12 Reed Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 190 Cormorants, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Gannets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Red-breasted Merganser flying E and 1 Water Rail.

This afternoon Matt also walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 5 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff , 43 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Gannets, 3 Stonechats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Wheatear.

Chris Tedder also saw a Black-throated Diver.

October 24th

With the southerly wind gradually increasing and gales threatened for later this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Wantsum outflow. We recorded 9 Mute Swans, 16 Redwings, 21 Chaffinches, 10 Skylarks, 1 male Ring Ouzel, 11 Blackbirds, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Coot, 11 Reed Buntings, 6 Song Thrushes, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Wheatear, 7 Linnets and 2 Merlins.

This morning Chris Tedder had a walk from Reculver and her highlights were 4 Bearded Tits and 2 Black Redstarts.

October 23rd

We thought we were having a good morning at Shuart when the first bird we caught and ringed was a Long-eared Owl but at 1000 we did even better when we caught a Dusky Warbler that we had heard calling on and off during the morning. We also saw and heard another Dusky Warbler nearby. Needless to say this was a new species ringed by the Reculver Ringing Group.

Dusky Warbler

Long-eared Owl

 

Other birds we saw included 2 Kestrels, 5 Redpolls, 90 Redwings, 2 Bramblings, 2 Stonechats, 4 Siskins, 2 Sparrowhawks, 11 Fieldfares, 35 Blackbirds, 28 Skylarks, 2 Swallows W, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Blackcap, 2 Crossbills W, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Greylag Goose, 16 Song Thrushes, 25 Reed Buntings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Chaffinches, 14 Linnets, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Tree Sparrow, 11 Lapwings and 500 Starlings W.

 Birds ringed 45: Goldcrest 2, Wren 1, Dusky Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Robin 2, Reed Bunting 17, Blue Tit 1, Song Thrush 6, Redwing 1, Blackbird 12, Long-eared Owl 1.

This afternoon Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back by way of Brooksend and Netherhale. He recorded 6 Goldcrests, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Blue Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Stonechats, 12 Redshank, 63 Carrion Crows, 17 Curlew, 203 Sanderling, 140 Oystercatchers, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Black Redstart, 23 Chaffinches, 1 Jay and 37 Pied Wagtails.

October 22nd

We spent a much more pleasant morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 68 Redwings, 38 Redpoll W, 16 Goldfinches, 1 Little Owl, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 106 Lapwings, 3 Bramblings, 250 Starlings, 7 Goldcrests, 23 Skylarks, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Blackbirds, 12 Siskins, 2 Stonechats, 23 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Crossbills W, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Swallows and 2 Fieldfares. We also saw a late Speckled Wood butterfly.

Birds ringed 18: Goldcrest 5, Blackcap 3, Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 4.

October 21st

Matt braved the wind and heavy rain this morning and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 2 Curlews, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Swallows, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 40 Mallard, 1 Teal, 8 Redshank, 8 Robins, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

This afternoon we walked at Reculver and counted 26 Swallows, 8 House Martins, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Chaffinches and 10 Goldfinches.

October 20th

This morning began overcast but eventually brightened up as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then walked around Reculver Towers and bushes. It was much quieter than of late but we did see 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Chaffinches, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 54 Golden Plovers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 female Wigeon, 3 Redwings, 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 6 Mute Swans, 13 Skylarks, 1 Redpoll W, 1 Ring Ouzel at Chamber's Wall, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swallow and 1 Jay.

Chiffchaff

This morning, Bob Dean and Peter Harrison found a Slavonian Grebe offshore at Minnis Bay.

October 19th

We arrived at a very dull and overcast Chamber's Wall where we counted at least 50 Goldcrests between the car park and the railway. Other birds we saw on our walk to the Oyster Farm lagoons included 3 Siskins W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 54 Golden Plovers, 70 Cormorants flying out to sea, 8 Redpoll W, 1 Raven flying W, 5 Mute Swans, 11 Skylarks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 17 Swallows W, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Oystercatchers, 6 Mallard, 3 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Plover, 14 Blackbirds, 1 Brambling and 15 Goldfinches. As we reached the railway crossing on our way back we met Nick Upton who had just found and photographed a Siberian Chiffchaff near Chamber's Wall car park

Siberian Chiffchaff - Nick Upton

With the excitement of the last two days over Derek Smith was out between 0730 and 1300 and walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and back to Shuart. He counted 1 Egyptian Goose flting W at Chamber's Wall, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Red Kite flying W at Coldharbour, 110 Swallows W, 30 Redwings, 16 Fieldfares, 4 Stonechats, 24 Tree Sparrows W, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Bramblings W, 269 Chaffinches W, 1 Bullfinch W, 154 Goldfinches W, 118 Siskins W, 129 Redpolls W, 16 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 85 Goldcrests.

Tree Sparrows - Derek Smith

October 18th

The Masked Shrike was still showing well at Shuart and so there were lots of birders about. We decided to walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then out on to the Marsh and we counted 1 Chiffchaff, 36 Goldcrests, 110 Redwings, 13 Siskins, 2 Brambling, 80 Blackbirds, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 55 Chaffinches, 20 Song Thrushes, 1 Ring Ouzel, 26 Redpoll, 51 Skylarks and 56 Swallows moving W, 19 Fieldfares, 58 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 10 Stonechats and 138 Cormorants flying S to the Stour Valley. We also saw 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Curlew, 25 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 20 Golden Plovers, 3 Coot, 2 Wigeon, a group of 21 Magpies, 4 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe flushed from the edge of a field, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Teal.

Rock Pipit

Marc Heath was out at Shuart from 0700 to 1045 and recorded 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 1 Woodcock, 30 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 23 Red-legged Partridges, 4 Bramblings, 16 Siskins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 34 Fieldfares, 3 Snipe, 5 Skylarks, 1 Curlew, 16 Swallows, 1 Masked Shrike, 33 Lapwings, 15 Redpolls, 2 House Martins, 40 Redwings, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 3 Chiffchaffs. Later he saw a Short-eared Owl at Minnis Bay.

Masked Shrike - Marc Heath

Richard Bonsor found another Dusky Warbler at Shuart and Brendan Ryan found a Firecrest at Netherhale Farm.

October 17th - A new species for Kent

It's not often you find a new bird for Kent and also Reculver, but that's what Derek Smith managed to do today when he found the UK's fifth MASKED SHRIKE in bushes at the end of Shuart drove. There is quite a story behind this bird because on the 15th October, Dave Smith met Peter Tyler who said he had found a very pale shrike at the end of Shuart drove but couldn't identify it. Both Dave and Derek Smith who were in the area tried to find the bird but with no luck, but this was obviously the same bird that Derek found today. Derek phoned the locals and sent them photos he had taken and after considering Woodchat Shrike he came to the conclusion it was a Masked Shrike and the news was circulated more widely. This is the 199th species for Reculver this year and 307th altogether.  

Juvenile Masked Shrike - Derek Smith

Juvenile Masked Shrike

 

Before we received Derek's call we were walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and had seen 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 34 Chaffinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Skylarks, 10 Goldcrests, 10 Redwings, 1 Brambling, 4 Mute Swans, 6 Goldfinches, 39 Mallard, 5 Robins, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Golden Plovers, 1 Teal, 6 Reed Buntings, 8 Swallows W, 2 Stonechats, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Oystercatchers, 13 Turnstone and 3 Redshank. We also saw a Redstart by the road near Brook Farm.

As usually happens when a rare bird is found, with an influx of birders into the area, a number of interesting sightings are made. Today Marc Heath refound the Pallas's Warbler at Reculver and Jim Bloor found another one at Chamber's Wall fishermans' car park. In addition Dusky Warblers (200th) were reported from Reculver and Chamber's Wall where another Yellow-browed Warbler was seen.

In addition, Stephen Message spotted a White-tailed Eagle (201st) flying over the sea off the Towers before it flew inland and was last seen over Manston. This is another new bird for Reculver bringing the total for the area to 308 species. It was considered that this birds was not from the Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme.

White-tailed Eagle at Reculver