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.