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.