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.