December 31st - 209 species recorded in the Reculver area this year
On a cold and sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Peregrine, 480 Dar-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Meadow Pipits, 3 Redshank, 46 Corn Buntings, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Snow Buntings, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Reed Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 1 Shag flying W and 1 Kestrel.
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| Reculver Towers |
December 30th
It was a sunny and frosty morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrels, 12 Blackbirds, 8 Chaffinches, 6 Reed Buntings, 21 Redwings, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 30 Common Scoter, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 24 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Fieldfares and 1 Marsh Harrier.
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| Fieldfare |
Chris Tedder managed to photograph 2 Egyptian Geese flying over Shuart today.
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| Egyptian Geese - Chris Tedder |
December 29th
There was not a great deal to be seen on an overcast, dreary and cold morning as we completed our usual walk from Reculver to Coldharbour. We only managed to see 220 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 8 Corn Buntings, 4 Turnstone, 19 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 32 Common Scoter, 2 Shelduck and 2 Oystercatchers.
Today Chris Tedder found a Tundra Bean Goose and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Shuart.
December 28th
On what turned out to be a bright, calm but chilly morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 407 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Meadow Pipits, 17 Mute Swans, 37 Ringed Plovers, 3 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 4 Reed Buntings, 65 Corn Buntings, a flock of 52 Russian White-fronted Geese flying out to see towards Essex, 45 Common Scoter, 22 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plovers and 1 Little Egret.
Marc arrived on the Marsh early and had 2 Woodcocks, 1 Little Owl and 1 Red-legged Partridge. He then walked from Reculver to Coldharbour, half an hour before us, and counted 1 Kestrel, 36 Ringed Plovers, 9 Mute Swans, 8 Redshank, 5 Little Grebes, 40 Corn Buntings, 8 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 30 Red-throated Divers, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 16 Grey Plovers, 21 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret and 2 flocks of Russian White-fronted Geese, including the flock we saw and numbering about 100 in total flying out to sea. He also saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 large auk flying E.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0930 and 1230 walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding, Shuart and Brooksend. He recorded 1 Fulmar E, 30 Red-throated Divers E, 38 Great Crested Grebes at Minnis Bay, 42 Mute Swans, 16 Grey Herons, 13 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 86 Sanderling, 70 Turnstone, 26 Redshank, 90 Fieldfares, 1 Rock Pipit and 2 Cetti's Warblers.
Maria and Mike Longdon walked from
Minnis Bay to Reculver and back between 1100 and 1400. Apart from the
usual they saw 4 Snow Buntings and 2 Snipe on one of the small islands on
the scrape at Plumpudding, 23 Russian White-fronted Geese flying W
over Reculver
car park , 2 Short-eared Owls in the Oyster Farm and 2 Bar-tailed
Godwits at Minnis Bay.
December 27th
With Storm Bella having moved through overnight we arrived at a very soggy Reculver at about 0915 and had a 40 minute seawatch and counted 131 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 1 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet E, 3 Mediterranean Gulls W, 2 Shelduck W, 60 Herring Gulls W and 1 Sparrowhawk. While we were at Reculver, Matt was at Minnis Bay where he counted 8 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Gannets, 2 Guillemots, 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 100 Cormorants.
On a sunny but chilly afternoon we walked at Chamber's Wall where we recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 19 Fieldfares , 6 Redwings and 120 Russian White-fronted Geese flying in the distance over Shuart.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Netherhale and Brooksend and back via Plumpudding between 1445 and 1700 and saw 12 Grey Herons, 14 Little Egrets, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Little Owl.
December 26th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 44 Common Scoter, 713 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 43 Ringed Plovers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Corn Buntings, 9 Turnstone, 9 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 5 Shelduck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 13 Mallard, 1 Golden Plover, 80 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 52 Linnets, 4 Redshank, 31 Curlews, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Lapwings, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Kestrel.
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| Rock Pipit |
Marc Heath was out early and saw 1 Woodcock, 1 Little Owl and 1 Black Redstart at the Towers.
Dave Smith found 120 Russian White-fronted Geese and 1 Pink-footed Goose in the fields at Shuart Drove.
December 25th
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
This morning we did the same as yesterday and between 0745 and 0915 we counted 9 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 280 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 39 Red-throated Divers E, 5 Kittiwakes W, 6 Guillemots, 2E and 4 W, 2 Razorbills W, 1 Pink-footed Goose W, 4 Gannets W, 22 Golden Plovers W, 4 Grey Plovers W, 1 adult male Peregrine, 103 large auks E, 1 Curlew, 1 Shag, 1 Teal E, 1 first year Mediterranean Gull, 2 Dunlin W and 1 adult male Long-tailed Duck flying E (210th).
December 24th
With a northerly gale blowing overnight we had a seawatch at Reculver this morning, Anne and I watched from our car whilst Matt was at the Towers. Between 0730 and 1030 together we counted 297 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 46 Gannets W, 92 Red-throated Divers E, 2 Wigeon W, 200 Herring Gulls, 6 large auks, 19 White-fronted Geese flying in off and then S, 24 Great Skuas W, 13 Little Gulls W, 20 Kittiwakes W, 7 Common Scoter W, 1 Eider E, 1 Black-throated Diver on sea then E, 2 immature Shags on the sea, 2 Grey Plover W, 2 Dunlin W, 2 Shelduck W, 5 Razorbills W, 1 Great Crested Grebe E, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and a female Goldeneye (208th) and female Scaup flying W (209th) together.
Whilst we were at Reculver, Marc Heath was at Minnis Bay and saw 120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 165 Red-throated Divers, 33 Kittiwakes, 44 auk species E, 85 Cormorants, 39 Gannets, 1 Razorbill, 3 Great Skuas E, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemots, 94 Oystercatchers and 40 Turnstone.
December 23rd
On an overcast morning that ended up being wet we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 46 Oystercatchers, 22 Cormorants, 4 Mute Swans, 21 Corn Buntings, 21 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 30 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Rock Pipit, 9 Reed Buntings, 12 Mallard and 26 Meadow Pipits.
December 22nd
We completed our regular, local birding walk at Reculver this morning in dull and sometimes drizzly conditions. Birds we saw included 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Redshank, 12 Corn Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 16 Cormorants, 2 Short-eared Owls often interacting with each other, 5 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plovers, 35 Common Scoter, 3 Shelduck, 2 Snow Buntings, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Reed Buntings, 3 Pied Wagtails and 7 Mute Swans.
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| Male Snow Bunting |
December 20th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 171 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 25 Corn Buntings, 14 Meadow Pipits, 44 Linnets, 10 Oystercatchers, 5 Shelduck, 12 Reed Bunting, 6 Stonechats, 31 Mallard, 27 Common Scoter, 4 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Turnstone and 1 Curlew. The most unexpected sight of the morning, as we neared Reculver on our way back, was seeing a man in a swimming costume trying to swim in less than a foot of water off the Towers!!
December 18th
It was cloudy this morning with a fresh south westerly breeze blowing as we walked at Shuart and Reculver. We saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 51 Mallard, 220 Russian White-fronted Geese, 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Moorhens, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 37 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 24 Chaffinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Coot.
December 17th
On a bright and breezy morning with the tide a long way out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 1 Kestrel, 402 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff calling by the Oyster Farm buildings,9 Redshank, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Corn Buntings, 32 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Reed Buntings, 3 Snow Buntings flying E along the beach, 9 Turnstone, 45 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher and 8 Sanderling.
Matt arrived at Reculver before us and did the same walk but continued on as far as Plumpudding and in addition to what we saw recorded 282 Russian White-fronted Geese, 1 Tundra Bean Goose, another 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier and an immature Shag flying E.
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| Tundra Bean Goose - Matt Hindle |
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| Tundra Bean Goose - Matt Hindle |
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| Russian White-fronted Goose - Matt Hindle |
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| Dark-bellied Brent Geese - Matt Hindle |
December 16th
With a strong southerly breeze blowing this morning we had a walk at Minnis Bay where we recorded 3 Red-throated Divers, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Sanderling, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 22 Redshank, 28 Oystercatchers, 24 Grey Plovers, 8 adult Great Black-backed Gulls roosting, 1 Rock Pipit, 172 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Little Egret.
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
This morning Matt walked around the Shuart area and saw 3 Goldcrests, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 50 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 male Pintail, 236 White-fronted Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Tundra Bean Goose, 1 Common Buzzard and 200 Black-headed Gulls.
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| Male Pintail - Matt Hindle |
December 15th
It was a beautiful winter's morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 2 Pied Wagtails, 360 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Meadow Pipits, 3 Redshank, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Stonechats, 8 Shelduck, 13 Reed Buntings, 54 Corn Buntings, 56 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 27 Common Scoters, 3 Red-throated Divers, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 64 Linnets and 2 Black Redstarts.
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| Female Reed Bunting |
During their walk today Julian and Alex counted 550+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 297 Russian White-fronted Geese, 1 Tundra Bean Goose and 2 Barnacle Geese.
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| Tundra Bean Goose - Alex Perry |
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| Russian White-fronted Geese |
December 14th
Although it was a bit milder this morning it was very blustery as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 116 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Redshank, 35 Corn Buntings, 60 Linnets, 3 Stonechats, 4 Gannets E, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shelduck, 4 Turnstone, 69 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Kestrel.
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| Ringed Plovers |
December 13th
We managed a walk from Reculver to Coldharbour in very dull and overcast conditions before the threatened rain arrived. It was relatively quiet but we did manage to see 2 Black Redstarts, 3 Redshank, 50 Ringed Plovers, 14 Turnstone, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Divers, 210 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Curlews, 27 Common Scoter, 2 Mallard and 35 Linnets.
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| Male Black Redstart in the early morning murk |
December 12th
Marc Heath was out in the Reculver area at 0600 and then walked from the Towers to Minnis Bay and back along the embankment. He counted 2 Woodcocks, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Little Owls, 62 Ringed Plovers, 10 Turnstone, 15 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 130 Cormorants, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Snipe, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Red-throated Divers, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 25 Common Scoter, 3 Bearded Tits, 50 Grey Plovers, 1 Peregrine, 4 Lapwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Grebe, 2 auk sp E, 2 Stonechats, 2 Gannets, 200 Russian White-fronted Geese fom the embankment and 17 flying W at sea with 2 Barnacle Geese and 1 Snow Bunting near Coldharbour.
December 11th
On a wet morning as we drove down to Minnis Bay a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew across the dual carriageway near Brooksend. We then spent an hour at Minnis Bay and counted 9 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Common Scoter, 12 Gannets, 22 Red-throated Divers, 11 Sanderling, 177 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Slavonian Grebe flying E close in shore, 1 Kittiwake and 2 large auks.
After this, as the rain cleared, we visited a very wet and muddy Shuart where we saw 2 Goldcrests, 1 Green Woodpecker, 220 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 32 Blackbirds, 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Greenfinch, 24 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare and 1 Grey Heron.
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| White-fronted Geese - Matt Hindle |
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| Adult White-fronted Goose - Matt Hindle |
December 10th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese off Bishopstone, 2 Red-throated Divers E, 59 Ringed Plovers, 2 Black Redstarts, 6 Stonechats, 2 Marsh Harriers, 7 Corn Buntings, 7 Turnstone, 99 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 1 male Mandarin Duck at the Oyster Farm (206th) , 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher. We also met Norman McCanch as we returned to Reculver and he had just recorded a Black-throated Diver.
Whilst we were at Reculver, Matt walked the Shuart, Netherhale and Brooksend loop and recorded 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 2 Fieldfares, 7 Goldcrests, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Common Buzzards, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Jay, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 13 Greylag Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Gannet, 1 Yellowhammer, 220 White-fronted Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Snipe, 1 Tundra Bean Goose (207th), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 92 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 5 Teal and 1 Cetti's Warbler. At Reculver he saw 4 Gadwall, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Raven flying N.
December 9th
Following a wet morning we arrived at Reculver after lunch and walked up to Coldharbour. We saw 9 Redshank, 2 Short-eared Owls, 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Stonechats, 3 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 46 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Turnstone and 1 Black Redstart.
December 8th
It was frosty and calm this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and the sun even came out on our return walk. We recorded 213 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Redshank, 2 Black Redstarts, 3 Mallard, 16 Ringed Plovers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 7 Common Scoter E, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Snow Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Short-eared Owls, 4 Snipe, 8 Reed Buntings, 14 Corn Butings and 50+ Russian White-fronted Geese.
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| Male Snow Bunting |
Matt was out at first light and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back by way of the railway embankment. He counted 9 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Stonechats, 1 Eider, 25 Red-throated Divers E, 784 Cormorants, 178 Russian White-fronted Geese, 20 Corn Buntings, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 260 Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 24 Common Scoter, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Redshank, 1 Shelduck, 3 Greenfinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 34 Blackbirds, 4 Yellowhammers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Coot, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 13 Ringed Plovers and 1 Black Redstart.
Today we received information about a juvenile male Blackcap we ringed at Reculver on 2nd August 2020. It was controlled at Dungeness Bird Observatory on 16th September and had flown 53 km SSW.
December 7th
On a dull, overcast and cold morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 382 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Marsh Harriers, 20 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Stonechats, 29 Corn Buntings, 14 Turnstone, 8 Redshank, 300 Cormorants, 1 Shelduck, 1 male Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mallard, 4 Russian White-fronted Geese, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Barnacle Goose flying W and 1 Kingfisher.
David and Robin Elliott saw a Black Redstart and a Short-eared Owl at Reculver this afternoon.
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| Corn Buntings |
December 6th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow and also visited Reculver briefly on the way home. We saw 4 Mute Swans, 22 Blackbirds, 21 Goldfinches, 4 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, 8 Chaffinches, 157 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shleduck, 2 Mallard, 4 Russian White-fronted Geese, 8 Turnstone, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Coot and 1 Gadwall.
Stepen Message counted 380 Russian White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese at Shuart.
December 5th
On another chilly morning we walked fro Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 2 Kestrels, 6 Meadow Pipits, 15 Redshank, 296 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 75 Russian White-fronted Geese, 7 Turnstone, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 12 Corn Buntings, 13 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 4 Mallard, 2 Pied Wagtails, 8 Reed Buntings, 18 Linnets, 1 Raven flying E and 1 Sparrowhawk.
This afternoon Chris Tedder found 114 Russian White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese at Shuart and 2 Black Redstarts and 4 Snow Buntings at Reculver.
Derek Smith was also out this afternoon and walked from Shuart to the Wade crossing and counted 75 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 23 Grey Herons, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Common Buzzards, 6 Cetti's Warblers and 32 Corn Buntings.
December 4th
After yesterday's washout and heavy overnight rain (24mm) we arrived at a cold and cloudy Reculver this morning and walked up to the Wantsum outflow. We saw 457 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Gannet, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Snow Buntings, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Shelduck, 26 Mallard, 4 Turnstone, 3 Stonechats, 4 Ringed Plovers, 14 Corn Buntings, 3 Sanderling and 1 Kingfisher.
This afternoon Chris Tedder found a flock of 75 Russian White-fronted Geese on the fields behind the Oyster Farm.
December 2nd
On a lovely winter's morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 593 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Red-throated Divers, 10 Oystercatchers, 12 Turnstone, 1 Corn Bunting, 11 Redshank, 6 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 10 Ringed Plovers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechats, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 5 Golden Plovers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Rock Pipit and 5 Russian White-fronted Geese.
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| Part of the flock of 593 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on the fields near Coldharbour |
December 1st
After a night with a fresh NW wind blowing we arrived at Reculver at first light for a seawatch, but it turned out to be disappointing with few birds seen. In two and half hours we recorded 1,500 Cormorants, 1 immature Eider, 280 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Skua W, 2 Shelduck W, 17 Gannets, 1 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sanderling, 1 Knot, 12 Common Scoter, 6 large auks and 1 Razorbill W.
After I had left the Towers, Matt and Derek Smith remained for a while and recorded 7 Little Gulls W, 2 Gadwall, 2 Great Skuas W, 14 Shelduck W, 1 immature Peregrine, 18 large auks E, 20 Gannets, 2 Wigeon W and 2 Kittiwakes W.
Later at Brooksend, Matt found a flock of 36 Russian White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese.
This morning Julian Perry found 4 Snow Buntings on the beach between Reculver and the Green Wall.
This afternoon we walked out onto the Marsh at Reculver and saw 34 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Grey Partridges, 2 Kestrels and 1 Common Buzzard.
