January 31st

After yesterday's incessant rain today dawned cold, bright and breezy however we have received 114.5 mm of rain at Reculver during January and the ditches are full, many fields are flooded and there is a stream running down Reculver Lane. This morning we tried to avoid most of the walkers, runners and cyclists on the seawall and walked to Coldharbour from Chamber's Wall. We counted 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Moorhen, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Chaffinches, 11 Blackbirds, 672 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Coot, 13 Lapwings, 1 Raven, 10 Mute Swans, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Kestrels. We also met Julian Perry on his regular run and he had seen a ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Brook Lane.

Dave and Sarah Smith were also out on the Marsh today and walked from Bishopstone to Chamber's Wall via the Roman Galley and back along the Green Wall. Their highlights were 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 12 Yellowhammers, 1 Tree Sparrow and 1 female Brambling (117th). They also saw a Woodcock fly in off the sea at Reculver car park.

January 30th

This morning we spent an hour in the wind and rain at Reculver and the highlight was seeing 129 Kittiwakes flying E close in shore between 1010 and 1030 in four flocks of 21, 31, 24 and 53. Other birds seen included 2 Grey Partridges flying across the road, 22 Cormorants, 11 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Pied Wagtails, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Fulmar flying W.

January 29th

This morning our walk was at the east end of the Marsh and we saw 18 Corn Buntings, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Greylag Goose, 31 Mute Swans, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 19 Mallard, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Teal, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Grey Herons, 12 Coot, 24 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 4 Meadow Pipits.

 January 28th

The overnight rain had just cleared away to the east as we arrived at Reculver this morning. On our walk to Coldharbour we recorded 2 Pied Wagtails. 177 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Redshank, 21 Corn Buntings, 1 Raven (116th), 5 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 4 Sanderling, 39 Ringed Plovers, 6 Mallard, 7 Red-throated Divers disturbed by a passsing boat, 6 Shelduck flying W and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flying W.

Also, this morning, I received the ringing information of a first year Song Thrush we controlled on Reculver Marshes on 7th November 2020. It had originally been ringed at Reddingsweg, Schiermonnikoog, THE NETHERLANDS on 14th October 2020 and had flown 410 km SW.

January 27th

It was much milder this morning as we completed our regular walk from Reculver to Coldharbour and we saw 575 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Meadow Pipits, 22 Turnstone, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 76 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 20 Common Scoter, 21 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 8 Sanderling, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Rock Pipit, 26 Corn Buntings, 1 Short-eared Owl and 6 Goldfinches.

Redshank

Matt was also out this morning at the east end of the Marsh where he saw a Merlin.

January 26th

This morning was cloudy and cold but with little wind as we walked up to Coldharbour and recorded 553 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 31 Red-throated Divers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechats, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 22 Common Scoter, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank and 2 Mallard.

Robin on the rocks at Reculver

January 25th

We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour on a chilly but bright and breezy morning. Birds we saw included 1 Kestrel, 500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers, 210 Cormorants, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sanderling, 3 Stonechats, 5 Corn Buntings, 6 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 42 Ringed Plovers, 2 Snow Buntings, 22 Common Scoter, 29 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 6 Reed Buntings.

Snow Bunting

 January 24th

On a freezing morning we had a walk south of the railway and saw 2 Common Buzzards, 110 Chaffinches, 1 female Peregrine hunting a group of 300 Woodpigeons, 43 Corn Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 male Stonechat, 1 Yellowhammer and 25 Reed Buntings.

Reculver Towers

January 23rd

On a still and frosty morning we walked at the east end of the Marsh and recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Red-legged Partridges, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Greylag Geese, 41 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, 24 Coot, 3 Mistle Thrushes singing, 1 Pochard, 42 Mute Swans, 2 Jays, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldfinches, 57 Corn Buntings, 16 Chaffinches, 40 Jackdaws, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron and 57 Lapwings.

January 22nd

The wind had dropped overnight and the morning dawned sunny and frosty as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 23 Meadow Pipits on the grass by the Towers, 2 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 12 Mallard, 8 Reed Buntings, 32 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Buzzard, 233 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Pied Wagtail and 40 House Sparrows.

Male House Sparrow and female Starling in the bushes by the King Ethelbert

Dave Smith completed a long walk around the Marsh today and his highlights were 3 Short-eared Owls at the Oyster Farm, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Snow Buntings, 1 Water Rail, 35 Common Scoter, 13 Tufted Ducks, 3 Pochard, 1 Chiffchaff and several Red-throated Divers.

January 21st

It was another very windy morning but at least the sun was shining as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. There was not a great deal different to see, just 480 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Reed Buntings, 22 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Malllard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Stonechat, 24 Corn Buntings, 1 Redshank, 2 Wigeon flying W and 400 Black-headed Gulls.

Turnstone

January 20th

With a gale force south westerly wind blowing we had a brief walk this afternnon at one of the more sheltered spots on the Marsh and saw 2 Mistle Thushes, 1 Moorhen, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mallard, 26 Mute Swans, 18 Goldfinches and 1 Sparrowhawk.

January 19th

On a very windy but surprisingly mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and and back and saw 387 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Meadow Pipits, 1 Redshank, 21 Corn Buntings, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapland Bunting flying up from the beach calling and then flying into the Oyster Farm lagoons (115th), 56 Mallard, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Curlew, 3 Snow Buntings, 7 Turnstone and 1 Stonechat.

January 18th

This morning we walked at the east end of the Marsh and recorded 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Greylag Geese (113th), 35 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Corn Bunting, 14 Coot, 5 Grey Herons, 38 Mute Swans, 5 Fieldfares, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Teal, 8 Redwings and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Also this morning, Dave Smith saw a Goldeneye flying W at Bishopstone (114th).

January 17th

After yesterday's revolting weather, today dawned bright and sunny and less cold. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 476 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 3 Stonechats, 2 Reed Buntings, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Redshank, 6 Mallard, 2 Turnstone, 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 adult female Peregrine, 3 Snow Buntings, 12 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull at the Wantsum outflow (112th) and 2 Little Grebes.

This afternoon Dave Smith found a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee at Bishopstone.

January 15th

This morning it was dull and chilly and the tide was out as we walked to Coldharbour. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 5 Mute Swans, 502 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 10 Corn Buntings, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Lapwings, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 3 Snow Buntings, 3 Oystercatchers and 1 Pied Wagtail.

January 14th

An hour spent at Reculver in the pouring rain this morning produced 140 Kittiwakes flying E, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Cormorants, 3 Common Gulls flying E, 1 Wigeon flying W and 1 Fulmar flying E.

Also this morning, Julian Perry saw a ring-tailed Hen Harrier fly across Reculver Drive towards Bishopstone.

Today I received information concerning a first year Sedge Warbler we ringed at Reculver on 28th August 2020. It was controlled at Tour aux Moutons, Donges, Loire-Atlantique, FRANCE on September 1st and had flown 508 km SSW.

January 13th

There was light rain but virtually no wind blowing as we completed our regular morning walk from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 114 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 320 Cormorants, 4 Redshank, 41 Corn Buntings, 4 Stonechats, 46 Mallard, 22 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 4 Reed Buntings, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Shelduck, 35 Common Scoter, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Moorhen and 6 Meadow Pipits.

Grey Plover

January 12th

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 6 Chaffinches, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Moorhens, 36 Linnets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Sparrowhawk.

January 11th

On a slightly milder but overcast morning we completed our regular daily walk from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 673 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Redshank, 48 Ringed Plovers, 6 Mute Swans, 31 Corn Buntings, 14 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Goldfinches, 23 Turnstone, 3 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plovers, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull W (111th), 1 Stonechat, 3 Snow Buntings, 8 Cormorants and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Snow Buntings

January 10th

With freezing fog and frost this morning we didn't visit Reculver for our daily walk until this afternon . Birds we saw included 3 Kestrels, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1 Coot, 1 Shoveler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat and 2 Redwings.

In the afternoon Dave Smith saw one of the Short-eared Owls at the Oyster Farm.

January 9th

This morning we completed our regular, daily walk from Reculver to Coldharbour with fog coming and going and a cold breeze off the sea. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 171 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 31 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Stonechats, 32 Corn Buntings, 8 Linnets, 1 Turnstone, 6 Reed Buntings, 14 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 12 Mallard, 1 Little Egret and 2 Goldfinches.

Female Stonechat

Also, early this morning, birds seen in the Shuart and Plumpudding areas included 2 Firecrests (109th), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Redwings, 4 Little Egrets,  8 Corn Buntings, 7 Grey Herons, 20 Tufted Ducks, 15 Teal, 11 Wigeon, 1 Pochard (110th), 1 Stonechat, 3 Snow Buntings and 11 Fieldfares.

Marc Heath was also out and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and recorded 8 Meadow Pipits, 60 Oystercatchers, 8 Turnstone, 22 Ringed Plovers, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Peregrine, 4 Corn Buntings, 9 Reed Buntings, 18 Mallard, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Stonechats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Shelduck, 25 Common Scoter, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Grebes, 60 Golden Plovers, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Linnets and 22 Redshank.

January 8th

It was a bit of a struggle to see anything at Reculver on a very foggy and frosty morning. Birds we did manage to record included 12 Corn Buntings, 1 Little Egret, 2 Snow Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 4 Cormorants, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 21 Meadow Pipits and 1 Pied Wagtail.

A foggy Reculver

Dave Smith had a long walk from Bishopstone out on to the Marsh and his highlights were 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kingfisher, 40 Golden Plovers and 10-12 Grey Partridges.

January 7th

On a much brighter morning we walked around the Marsh and recorded 5 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 125 Chaffinches, 16 Redwings, 70 Reed Buntings, 12 Yellowhammers, 40 Corn Buntings, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Moorhens, 6 Skylarks, 18 Fieldfares, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 30 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Little Egret.

Tree Sparrow

January 6th

Although it was raining when we arrived at Reculver this morning it soon stopped and turned into a pleasant morning as we completed our daily walk up to Coldharbour. We saw 21 Cormorants, 4 Oystercatchers, 26 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 6 Meadow Pipits, 288 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Linnets, 3 Reed Buntings, 35 Ringed Plovers, 11 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone, 3 Snow Buntings, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats and 32 Mallard.

Coldharbour looking towards Thanet

January 5th

With the foul weather continuing we didn't venture out for our daily walk until after lunch when we managed to see 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Barn Owls, 3 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 32 Mute Swans, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Mistle Thrush and 4 Ring-necked Parakeets.

January 4th

On a thoroughly unpleasant morning with frequent squally showers being blown in on a cold NE wind I spent just over an hour at Reculver and saw very little with the exception of a smart adult Little Gull flying E close in shore (105th). The only other birds seen were the usual gulls, 155 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 5 Oystercatchers.

At Reculver this morning and at Minnis Bay this afternoon in pouring rain Matt counted 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Red-throated Divers, 1 Curlew, 1 adult Little Gull, 2 Gannets, 11 Kittiwakes E, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers E (106th), 2 Great Skuas E (107th), 1 Fulmar, 1 Guillemot E (108th), 1 Common Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebes and 40 Common Gulls.

January 3rd

There were some heavy showers being blown in on the NE wind this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 530 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Redshank, 1 immature Kittiwake (101st), 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 39 Corn Buntings feeding on the beach, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Snow Buntings, 1 Little Grebe and 22 Linnets.

Matt began birding at Brooksend this morning where he saw 21 Tufted Ducks, 10 Teal, 8 Coot, 20 Mallard, 4 Grey Herons and 8 Barnacle Goose flying SW (102nd). He then visited Minnis Bay and recorded 90 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Peregrine, 1 Fulmar (103rd), 60 Dunlin, 40 Grey Plovers and 1 Gannet. Later on Reculver Marshes he counted 150 Chaffinches, 20 Redwings, 80 Corn Buntings, 2 Yellowhammers, 9 Tree Sparrows (104th) and 30 Reed Buntings.

Marc Heath was out early and recorded 1 Barn Owl, 2 Woodcocks, 3 Snipe, 3 Skylarks and 10 Red-legged Partridges. He the walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the embankment and recorded 42 Redwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Snow Buntings, 3 Little Grebes, 10 Reed Buntings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Lapwings, 2 Short-eared Owls, 35 Mute Swans, 8 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Gadwll, 16 Ringed Plovers, 40 Corn Buntings and 4 Stonechats.

January 2nd

On an overcast and very murky morning we arrived at first light and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Linnets, 10 Ringed Plovers, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Snow Buntings on the beach near Coldharbour, 1 Little Egret, 9 Common Scoter, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Gannet, 13 Meadow Pipits and 1 Kestrel.

This afternoon we had a walk around at Shuart and recorded 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 44 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 10 Goldfinches. While we were doing that Matt and Marion walked along West Brook Valley and found 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Grey Wagtails (100th).

January 1st

We started in the dark at a cold and very muddy Reculver and recorded 1 Kingfisher, 3 Jays, 1 Green Sandpiper, 22 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 20 Fieldfares. Later at Shuart we saw 15 Mute Swans, 20 Goldfinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Green Sandpiper, 15 Redwings, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. At Minnis Bay there were 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Curlew, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Grey Plovers, 80 Dunlin, 2 Gannets, 1 Great Northern Diver flying W and 8 Red-throated Divers flying W. We ended up with a not very impressive 59 species seen.

Because of covid restrictions Matt birded by himself or with Marion and between 0535 and 1635 recorded 86 species. His highlights included 1 female Long-eared Owl calling in West Brook Valley, 1 Grey Partridge, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Water Rail, 200 Redwings, 80 Fieldfares, 2 Barn Owls, 3 Pintail and 7 Wigeon flying W, 1 Great Northern Diver W, 1 Razorbill E, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Woodcocks, 2 Shoveler, 3 Snow Buntings, 1 Snipe and 1 Short-eared Owl at the Shuart crossing. 

Derek Smith also spent most of the day birding and recorded 5 species no one else saw: Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Rock Pipit and Bullfinch.

Chris Tedder also saw three new species: 1 male Merlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Little Owl.

Julian and Alex Perry were also out all day and recorded 75 species including 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Ringed Plovers, 75+ Sanderling, 2 Woodcock, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Little Owl, 1 Skylark, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tits and 100+ Corn Bunting.

Dave Smith was out on the Marsh today and his highlights were finding the 3 Snow Buntings on the beach near Coldharbour as well as seeing 5 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Stonechats.

Between us all we recorded 99 species on the Marsh.