May 31st

Yesterday's cool breeze and overcast conditions had ceased this morning and it was sunny and warm as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 8 Whitethroats, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 35 Mallard, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Terns, 3 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Coot, 4 Stonechats and 13 Corn Buntngs. We also found a Wall Brown butterfly.

Wall Brown

May 30th

This morning we completed our first visit to our 1 km Turtle Dove Survey square and failed to hear or see any Turtle Doves. The southern boundary of the square borders the Thanet Way between Wagtail Farm and St Nicholas Court Farm and then includes Potten Street Road and Potten Street and then the track leading up to Chamber's Wall car park. Birds we did see included 13 Whitethroats, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Blackcaps, 1 singing Goldcrest, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 11 Skylarks, 9 Reed Warblers, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Swift and 2 Oystercatchers in a maize field.

Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 1000 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour before returning along the railway embankment. He saw 1 male Shoveler, 5 pairs of Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Avocet in Coldharbour, 2 Cuckoos, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

Avocet in Coldharbour - Derek Smith

May 29th

On a dull morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser sitting on the sea off the Towers, 9 Whitethroats, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 7 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 1 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Lapwing, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Coldharbour and 6 Coot.

Singing male Whitethroat

May 28th 

We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway line and  saw 4 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Tree Pipit flying S, 4 Mallard, 4 Swallows, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 8 Swifts, 5 Sedge Warblers and 10 Reed Warblers.

Birds ringed 19: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 6, Sedge Warbler 5, Linnet 1, Chaffinch 1, Reed Bunting 1, House Sparrow 1.

Adult Sedge Warbler

 

This afternoon we walked to Coldharbour from Shuart and Chamber's Wall and saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 31 Turnstone, 5 Common Sandpipers, 9 Sanderling, 1 Fulmar E, 1 Kittiwake E, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Buzzards, 10 Swifts, 2 Stonechats and 1 large auk E.

Field Garlic - Matt Hindle

 This morning I also received information about a ringed female Reed Warbler we caught yesterday at Reculver. It had initially been ringed at Cantley Beet Factory, Norfolk which is 136 km N on 3rd August 2019.

May 27th

On the first warm, sunny and calm day for quite a while we spent the morning ringing at Reculver. Birds we saw between 0545 and 1215 included 8 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Coot, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Shelduck, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Cuckoos, 20 Sand Martins, 2 Jays, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 20 Reed Warblers, 26 Red Kites flying W mainly between 1100 and 1130, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Common Buzzards, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Siskin W and 2 Kestrels. 

We also found 10 Banded Demoiselles, 1 Red-eyed Damselflies, 12 Blue-tailed Damselflies and 1 Hairy Dragonfly.

Birds ringed 33: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Warbler 16, Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 6, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2.

Chris Tedder also saw a westerly movement of Red Kites at Shuart this morning and counted 11 birds. Later she found 5 Spotted Flycatchers at Chamber's all as well as a few Variable and Azure Damselflies.

May 26th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 6 Goldfinches, 8 Whitethroats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Tern, 6 Coot, 2adults and 4 young, 3 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 female Wheatear, 6 Ringed Plovers, 13 Turnstone, 5 Stonechats, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Swallows, 1 Kestrel, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Linnets, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Corn Buntings and 1 Blackcap.

Female Wheatear

May 25th

This morning Matt walked from Shuart to Reculver and we walked in from Chamber's Wall and met him on the seawall. Between us we recorded 5 Blackcaps, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Tufted Ducks, 38 Swifts W, 9 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cuckoos, 10 Swallows W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Shovelers, 19 Sanderling, 16 Turnstone, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Corn Buntings, 1 Lapwing, 1 Shelduck, 12 House Martins W, 10 Sand Martins, 1 female Wheatear, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers and 7 Mallard.

Female Wheatear

May 24th

It was sunny this morning with the increasing threat of showers as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 3 Shelduck, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Linnets, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 House Martins W, 4 Stonechats, 24 Turnstone, 1 Coot, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 female Wheatear, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Swifts in off the sea, 4 Common Terns, 2 summer plumaged Dunlins and 1 Sanderling.

Summer plumaged Dunlin

May 23rd

On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons via Coldharbour. We counted 11 Whitethroats, 8 House Martins W, 16 Swallows, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 31 Swifts W, 1 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 1 Coot, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Common Terns, 1 female Wheatear, 21 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 4 Mediterranean Gulls W, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Linnets and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Summer plumaged Turnstone

May 22nd

We began our morning walk from Reculver to Coldharbour in pouring rain but luckily by the time we reached the Green Wall it had stopped. Birds we saw included 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Fulmars prospecting around the Towers, 2 Stonechats, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 4 Linnets, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 5 Common Terns, 6 Swifts W, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 11 Gannets, 1 Grey Plover and 3 Sanderling.

Common Tern at Coldharbour

Derek Smith was out birding between 1130 and 1530 and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding before returning via Coldharbour and the railway embankment. He counted 13 Gannets E, 3 Little Egrets, 7 pairs of Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoos, 80 Swifts W, 60 Swallows W, 35 House Martins W and 12 Yellow Wagtails.

May 21st

This morning we struggled to progress in a south westerly gale and only walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We recorded 6 Swallows, 7 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Linnets, 2 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 3 Corn Buntings, 7 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 41 Swifts flying W, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Hobby, 3 Common Terns, 2 Mallard and 1 Green Woodpecker.

After this we spent 45 minutes at Reculver watching birds out at sea flying W against the gale. We counted 19 Sandwich Terns, 56 Swifts, 1 Fulmar, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 House Martin.

May 20th

We managed a ringing session on the Marsh this morning before the threatened strong wind arrived and saw 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Mallard, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warblers, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Kestrel, 5 Red Kites flying W, 2 Common Terns, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Siskin, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Swallows.

Birds ringed 11: Reed Warbler 4, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Whitethroat 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 1, Linnet 1, Dunnock 1

Spotted Flycatcher

Marc Heath also saw 2 Red Kites flying W at Hillborough at 1045.

May 19th

We all got a thorough soaking this morning. Matt walked in from Shuart and we walked in from Chamber's Wall and we met at Coldharbour. Between us, we managed to see or hear 4 Blackcaps, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Swifts W, 14 Swallows W, 1 House Martin W, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Greenshank and 1 Corn Bunting.

May 18th

We spent the morning ringing ar Reculver where we saw 5 Blackcaps. 10 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Sand Martins, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Swifts W, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Kestrels, 7 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Hobby.

Birds ringed 15: Long-tailed Tit 1, Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Goldfinch 2, Great Tit 2, Whitethroat 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.

Male Goldfinch

2 Red Kites flew W over our house at Bishopstone at 1320.

May 17th

On another overcast, damp and chilly morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and we met him at Chamber's Wall and then walked back towards Reculver with him. Between us we recorded 68 Swifts W, 25 Swallows W, 5 Gannets E, 1 Blackcap, 7 Stonechats, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Shelduck, 2 Lapwings, 5 Common Terns, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 7 Tufted Ducks, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 House Martins W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Oystercatchers, 11 Mallard, 4 Ringed Plovers and 1 Cuckoo. 

Yellow Wagtail - Matt Hindle

 

May 16th

On a showery morning we completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 3 Cuckoos, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches, 6 Swallows, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lapwing, 1 Shelduck, 1 Swift W and 2 Corn Buntings.

Oystercatcher

Grasshopper Warbler - Alex Perry

May 15th

Even though it was pouring with rain this morning we decided to walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and were lucky that the rain stopped just as we reached the railway crossing and it remained dry until we almost got back to our car. We had excellent views of the Grasshopper Warbler as it moved from one singing perch to another and reeled almost non-stop. Other birds seen included 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Mallard, 9 Whitethroats, 4 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Swallows, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Reed Warblers, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Stonechats, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo and 7 Linnets.

Derek Smith was also out in the rain this morning and between 0400 and 0900 walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Minnis Bay and back via Coldharbour and the railway embankment. His highlights included 1 Fulmar W, 2 Little Egrets, 7 pairs of Tufted Duck, 46 Sanderling at Minnis Bay, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler at Coldharbour, 7 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear and 2 Stonechats at Plumpudding.

May 14th

It felt more like February than May this morning with overcast conditions and a cold northerly wind blowing in off the sea. On our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons we saw 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 7 Linnets, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Stonechats, one male and three juveniles, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Tern, 3 Lapwings, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grasshopper Warbler heard and seen and 3 Cuckoos.

Male Stonechat

May 13th

It was dull and showery this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 10 Whitethroats, 10 Mallard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 5 Swallows, 11 Linnets, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Stonechats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Shelduck, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Corn Bunting and 5 Goldfinches.

Juvenile Stonechat

May 12th

On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to Reculver. We recorded 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldfinches, 11 Whitethroats, 5 Cuckoos, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 9 Swallows, 9 Mallard, 2 Lapwings, 14 Linnets, 4 juvenile Stonechats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 White Wagtails, 1 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Swifts W, 1 Kestrel, 22 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 4 Common Terns, 1 Wheatear, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

White Wagtail - Matt Hindle

Later in the morning Matt found a male Grey Wagtail singing in the May Street sewage works.

This aftermoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 5 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Mallard, 2 Coot, 1 Kestrel and 1 Hobby.

Great Crested Grebe family

May 11th

We spent a pleasant morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Swallows, 13 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 15 Whitethroats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Mallard, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Jays, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Blackcaps, 1 Turtle Dove purring intermittently during the morning, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Buazzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 37: Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 4, Whitethroat 6, Reed Warbler 11, Sedge Warbler 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Garden Warbler 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 3, Jay 2.

A Jay with a tick above its eye

On a warm and breezy afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 124 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kestrel, 36 Turnstone, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Little Egret. We also saw 3 Hairy Dragonflies.

Sanderling

May 10th

After the heavy overnight rain had passed through Matt had an early morning walk from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 9 Common Sandpipers, 17 Swallows W, 4 Wheatears, 3 House Martins W, 9 Ringed Plovers W, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Swifts W, 2 Yellow Wagtails,  1 male Grey-headed Wagtail and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers E.

He then met us at Shuart and we all walked to Plumpudding and back by way of Brooksend and Netherhale. We counted 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaffs, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 9 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 19 Swallows, 2 Greylag Geese, 12 Tufted Ducks, 3 Corn Buntings, 12 Swifts, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8 House Martins, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Coot and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Male Reed Bunting

 

Female Wheatear - Matt Hindle

Alex Perry saw a Hobby (169th) at Reculver during the day.

May 9th 

With thunder storms passing to the south and east of us Matt walked from Bishopstone to Plumpudding and back via the railway embankment and we walked in from Chamber's Wall and back towards Reculver with him. Between us we counted 82 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Redpolls W, 78 Swallows W, 11 Swifts W, 4 Corn Buntings, 18 Yellow Wagtails W including a male Grey-headed Wagtail, 60 Sand Martins, 6 Gannets E, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Kestrels, 6 Shelduck, 2 Common Sandpipers, 25 Reed Warblers, 13 Wheatears, 48 Sedge Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 2 Lapwings, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs, 8 Tufted Ducks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (166th), 3 Canada Geese, 4 White Wagtails, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Jays, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Whinchat (167th), 2 Common Buzzards and 13 Sanderling.

Male Grey-headed Wagtail - Matt Hindle

Whilst I was out, I had a message from Chris Tedder to say that she had just seen a Spoonbill flying S at Reculver. Later she also saw 2 Little Terns (168th) flying E and fishing as well as her first Hairy Dragonfly of the year.

Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back along the embankment and his highlights were 5 Wheatears, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Cuckoos.

Derek Smith was also out between 0630 and 1000 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and back via Brooksend and Netherhale. He recorded 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards, 7 pairs of Tufted Duck, 72 Sanderling, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Wheatears, 7 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Willow Warblers.

May 8th

We had a unexpected visitor to our garden at lunchtime just after the rain had stopped. A Turtle Dove.

 

Turtle Dove

On a blustery but much milder afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 2 Blackcaps, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 5 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Garden Warbler. 

May 7th

We had limited time this morning so we began our walk earlier than usual and walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldhabour. We recorded 1 male Greenland Wheatear on the grass by the Towers, 21 Linnets, 11 Whitethroats, 11 Swallows flying W, 1 Common Sandpiper flying W, 3 Stonechats, 4 Shelduck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Redshank, 6 Mallard, 2 Lapwings, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 3 House Martins flying W, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Swifts flying W, 1 Kestrel and 1 Blackcap.

Ringed Plover

This afternoon we had a walk around at Reculver and saw 36 Swifts flying W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Reed Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Coot, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warblers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Willow Warbler.

May 6th

After our first significant rain for a month yesterday evening this morning dawned bright and calm as we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding lagoon. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 23 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 13 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Goldfinches, 15 Swallows, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Lapwings, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Sedge Warblers, 10 Linnets, 29 Turnstone, 19 Swifts flying W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sand Martins, 18 Mallard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel, 9 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 House Martin W, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrrier, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Chiffchaff.

Whimbrel

Curlew

This morning we received information concerning a first year Reed Warbler we ringed at Shuart on 31st August 2018. It had been controlled at Lancing College, West Sussex on 1st May 2021.

May 5th

It was sunny this morning with a cold, eyewatering westerly breeze blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 19 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 13 Whitethroats, 8 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Swallows, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Sedge Warblers, 4 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Swift W, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 8 Whimbrel flying W, 1 Little Egret, 76 Sanderling, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Mediterranean Gull.

The variety in the plumages of Sanderling during May

May 4th

With a westerly gale blowing this morning we began at Reculver where we recorded 2 Shelduck, 1 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 House Martins W, 5 Sandwich Terns, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Swallows, 5 Reed Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Mallard, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Coot, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

We then drove over to Minnis Bay where we had a 45 minute seawatch and recorded 2 Common Terns flying W, 1 Swallow, 4 Dunlins flying W, 5 Sandwich Terns flying W and 2 Manx Shearwaters flying W with one flying back E later (165th). 

After this we had a walk around the Shuart area and counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Mallard, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Swallows, 3 Reed Warblers and 2 Blackcaps.

May 3rd

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. We saw 6 Goldfinches, 21 Swallows W, 25 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Mallard, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Siskin W, 6 Lapwings W, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Sandwich Terns, 110 Sanderling, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Stonechats carrying food, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 1 female Wheatear, 7 Sand Martins W, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Linnets, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull W, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the Oyster Farm, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Sedge Warblers and 1 Cuckoo.

Earlier in the morning Matt had found a Garden Warbler singing at Reculver.

Sandwich Terns

May 2nd

We spent our first morning of the year ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. It was relatively quiet but we did see 8 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whimbrel W, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Swallows W, 10 Linnets, 3 Shoveler, 1 Mallard, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawks.

Birds ringed 14: Wren 2, Whitethroat 3, Reed Bunting 1, Linnet 4, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Blackbird 1.

Male Whitethroat

 Derek Smith was out from 0600 to 0900 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend. He counted 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Shelduck flying E at sea, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 46 Sanderling, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Cuckoos, 34 Stock Doves, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Stonechats, 22 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Reed Warblers, 12 Sedge Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Lesser Redpolls W and 4 Corn Buntings.

May 1st

Matt was out very early and walked from Bishopstone to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. We walked in from Chamber's Wall where we met him and walked part of the way back to Reculver. Birds he saw included 1 Garden Warbler singing at Bishopstone (163rd), 70 Whitethroats, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Sandpiper (164th), 11 Yellow Wagtails W, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Shelduck, 21 Swallows W, 34 Sand Martins, 41 Sedge Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 4 Tufted Duck, 18 Turnstone, 3 Whimbrel W, 21 Reed Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Coldharbour, 2 Cuckoos, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Grey Herons, 1 House Martin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Greylag Geese, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Fulmar, 1 Little Egret, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Gadwall, 1 Pochard and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Swallows nesting at Chamber's Wall crossing

Derek Smith was also birding this morning and walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and then on to Plumpudding and Netherhale. He recorded 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Greenshank W, 6 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, the one at Coldharbour and another at Plumpudding, 40 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 24 Reed Warblers, 36 Sedge Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 16 Blackcaps and 1 Lesser Redpoll W.