October 31st

We spent another wet and windy morning seawatching for two hours at Minnis Bay where we counted 23 Gannets, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Guillemots, 8 Razorbills, 173 Chaffinches and 2 Bramblings flying W, 6 Red-throated Divers, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Skua flying W then back E, 58 Turnstone, 1 adult Mediterrnanean Gull E and 1 Little Egret.

Whilst out in the wind and rain this morning Julian Perry found a Snow Bunting on the beach between Reculver and Coldharbour.

October 30th

It was rainy and there was a strong southerly wind blowing this morning so we decided to have a sea watch from Minnis Bay. In two hours from 0800 we counted 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Gannets, 4 large auks, 6 Red-throated Divers, 3 Little Egrets, 1 adult Kittiwake E, 2 Guillemots, 7 Curlew, 26 Turnstone, 14 Sanderling, 139 Oystercatchers, 4 Razorbills, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Teal, 3 Mediterranean Gulls E, 6 Dunlin and 22 Siskins W.

October 29th

On a windy morning we walked at various sites in the Reculver area and just got back to our car before the threatened rain arrived. We saw 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 52 Carrion Crows, 3 Common Buzzards, 20 Cormorants, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Gannet E, 9 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 22 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier and 21 Mute Swans.

October 28th

On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 6 Redwings, 31 Chaffinches, 41 Goldfinches, 3 Kestrels, 1 immature Peregrine, 3 Siskins W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Coot, 14 Reed Buntings, 89 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 27 Linnets, 1 Little Egret and 23 Tree Sparrows and 150 House Sparrows in the bushes just to the west of the Wantsum outflow. We also saw 5 Pied Wagtails W, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Golden Plovers, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 3 Turnstone and 11 Skylarks.

Tree Sparrows

October 27th

It was relatively quiet this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour until at 0900, Chaffinches began moving west in small flocks along the coast and over the sea. In 50 minutes we counted 393 flying W. Other birds we saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Mallard, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats, 4 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 3 Kestrels, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 100 House Sparrows, 1 Red-throated Diver and 4 Pied Wagtails W.

Male Chaffinch

October 26th

On an increasingly sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow. Birds we counted included 34 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwings, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Bramblings, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Stonechats, 4 Coot, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Tree Sparrows, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Little Grebes, 16 Reed Buntings, 140 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 1 Shelduck, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Oystercatchers, 11 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Linnets, 1 male Merlin unsuccessfully chasing a singing Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wigeon, 2 Blackcaps and 2 Jays.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

October 25th

This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 3 Grey Herons, 42 Meadow Pipits, 5 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Pied Wagtails, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 350 House Sparrows, 2 Coot, 33 Reed Buntings, 1 Common Buazzard, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 2 Song Thrushes, 14 Goldfinches, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Chiffchaff.

October 24th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow and back. We saw 30 Goldfinches, 1 Brambling, 22 Chaffinches, 10 Skylarks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Red-throated Diver, 14 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatchers, 12 Meadow Pipits, 12 Ringed Plovers, 2 Curlew, 200 House Sparrows, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 Dark-bellied Brent  Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Redwing, 8 Linnets, 4 Song Thrushes and 5 Jays W.

Female Stonechat

October 23rd

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 19 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 40 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Redshank, 4 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 18 Reed Buntings, 13 Linnets, 49 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatchers, 120 House Sparrows, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Snipe, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Tree Sparrows, 1 Curlew, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Brambling.

Derek Smith was out on the Marsh between 0800 and 1400 and walked from Shuart and along the embankment and then on to Plumpudding and Netherhale. He counted 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Peregrine, 10 Redshank, 25 Ringed Plovers, 1 Water Rail, 18 Jays flying W, 2,100 Starlings W, 142 Redwings W, 8 Stonechats, 4 Bearded Tits, 1 Tree Sparrow W, 448 Chaffinches W, 46 Brambling W, 42 Goldfinches W, 33 Siskins W, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests and 5 Corn Buntings.

Brambling - Derek Smith

October 22nd

It was sunny and cold and the tide was out as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We recorded 120 Starlings W, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatchers, 30 Carrion Crows, 24 Meadow Pipits, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pied Wagtails, 18 Goldfinches, 100 House Sparrows, 11 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 14 Mallard, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 18 Sanderling, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Jays.

Goldfinch

October 21st

After heavy overnight rain with a strong NW wind and a significant drop in temperature we spent an hour at Reculver where we counted 2 Gannets W, 2 Razorbills flying E close inshore, 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Common Scoter, 2 large auks E, 1 Grey Plover W, 2 Eider, 1 Guillemot E, 22 Cormorants and 1 Kestrel. 

Brendan Ryan seawatched from the Towers between 1045 and 1230 and recorded 7 Goosanders flying W (190th), all red-heads and seen later at Swalecliffe, 22 Gannets, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Guillemot.

Richard Collins was also at Reculver this morning and counted 12 Gannets, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 large auk and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls.

October 19th

On an damp, overcast, breezy and very mild, morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 6 Redwings, 5 alba Wagtails W, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Little Egret, 7 Redshank, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Rock Pipit, 23 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 2 Stonechats, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 31 Meadow Pipits, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Linnets, 8 Turnstone and 22 Ringed Plovers. 

When we got to Coldharbour Matt kept on walking to Plumpudding and recorded 1 female Merlin, 5 Stonechats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Gannets and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

October 18th

We had another interesting morning's ringing this time at Shuart where we saw 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Mallard, 2 Siskins, 3 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bearded Tits, 5 Kestrels, 7 Grey Herons, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Stonechats, 24 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds, 25 Reed Buntings, 17 Skylarks, 250 Starlings W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 5 Redwings and 2 Common Buzzards.

Birds ringed 53: Chiffchaff 1, Wren 2, Blackcap 4, Reed Bunting 19, Robin 1, Stonechat 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Bearded Tit 3, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 7, Blackbird 8, Green Woodpecker 1.

Male and female Bearded Tit

October 17th

We had a very good ringing session at Reculver this morning with the highlight being ringing a new species for the Reculver Ringing Group in the shape of a first year Dartford Warbler.

First year Dartford Warbler

 

Other birds we saw during the morning included 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Brambling, 33 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Jays, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Redwing, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Peregrine, 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Partridge, 715 Starlings, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 14 Siskins, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Magpies, 1 Kestrel, 35 Goldfinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Skylarks and 35 Chaffinches.

Birds ringed 26: Goldcrest 3, Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 2, Long-tailed Tit 7, Robin 1, Blackcap 3, Dartford Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1.

Female Firecrest

First year Grey Wagtail

 

October 16th

We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where there was a good variety of birds to be seen and ringed. We saw 15 Redwings, 27 Bramblings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 2 Stonechats, 21 Golden Plover, 6 Yellowhammers, 60 Siskins W, 16 Corn Buntings, 16 Goldfinches, 45 Chaffinches, 22 Skylarks W, 15 Magpies S, 4 Grey Wagtails W, 10 Snipe, 20 Song Thrushes, 18 Blackbirds, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mallard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Linnets, 97 Starlings W, 60 Reed Buntings, 8 Jays, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Merlin and 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier.

Birds ringed 80: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Chaffinch 5, Goldfinch 7, Brambling 3, Reed Buntings 40, Robin 2, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Stonechat 1, Dunnock 2, Corn Bunting 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 6.

Male Brambling

Adult male Stonechat

Derek Smith was out all morning and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and on to the Green Wall and Chamber's Wall before returning to Shuart. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Teal, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 6 Kestrels, 3 Golden Plover E, 45 Lapwings, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Jays flying S, 39 Magpies W, 97 Redwings W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 900 Starlings W, 22 alba Wagtails W, 3 Bearded Tits at the Oyster Farm, 8 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Dartford Warbler beside the Wantsum (188th), 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 24 Brambling W, 566 Chaffinches W, 128 Goldfinches W, 46 Siskins W and 6 Corn Buntings.

Dartford Warbler - Derek Smith

3 Whooper Swans (189th) were photographed flying past the Towers by Michael Linklater and were later seen at Swalecliffe and Capel Fleet.

October 15th

We didn't get out until late this morning and then drove down to Reculver just as the wind had backed round to a more northerly direction. As we stood at the Towers a pulse of 107 predominantly adult Gannets flew E close to shore in the space of about 15 minutes. Other birds we saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Guillemot W, 1 Rock Pipits, 2 Little Egrets and 30 Oystercatchers.

Adult Gannets

Derek Smith had  a seawatch from 0730 to 0930 and counted 12 Gannets W, 2 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Guillemot and 1 Mediterranean Gull. He then moved on to Shuart whre he walked out to Plumpudding between 1000 and 1330 and recorded 1 Little Egret E at sea, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and 2 Stonechats.

October 14th

This morning our walk from Reculver to Coldharbour produced 90 Mallard, 15 Wigeon, 18 Skylarks, 95 Meadow Pipits, 28 Linnets, 1 Redshank, 4 Stonechats, 34 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 58 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Reed Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 250 House Sparrows, 35 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron and 3 Pied Wagtails.

Restoration work has begun on the Towers

October 13th

On a sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 4 Bramblings, 16 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 145 Meadow Pipits moving W, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Corn Bunting, 40 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Goldfinches, 150 House Sparrows, 1 Stonechat, 27 Golden Plovers, 6 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 5 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzards, 11 Linnets and 11 Skylarks.

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour and back via Plumpudding and Netherhale. In seven hours he counted 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Kestrels, 8 Jays W, 350 Starlings W, 18 Skylarks W, 14 alba Wagtails W, 2 Kingfishers, 800 Redwings W, 52 Bramblings W, 12 Greenfinches W, 36 Chaffinches W, 49 Goldfinches, 17 Siskins W, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 24 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Goldcrests and 8 Corn Buntings.

October 12th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Chaffinches, 9 Lapwings, 5 Coot, 53 Meadow Pipits W, 4 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 13 Linnets, 1 Stonechat, 17 Mute Swans, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 1 Common Buzzard.

 

Cormorant

Derek Smith and Patrick Giles had a look from the Towers between 0730 and 0900 and recorded 6 Guillemots W, 1 male Velvet Scoter flying W (187th), 8 Common Scoter E, 1 Mediterrnaean Gull W and 1 Rock Pipit. 

Later they walked from Shuart to Netherhale and on to Plumpudding and counted 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Merlin, 4 Kestrels, 5,000+ Redwings, 35 House Martins W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 14 Chiffchaffs, 3 Siskins W, 55 Chaffinches W and 1 Firecrest.

Brendan Ryan also visited the area today and walked from Shuart to Netherhale where he counted 3,660 Redwings flying W, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and 2 Firecrests.

Firecrest - Brendan Ryan

October 11th

It was unexpectedly breezy at Shuart this morning where we spent four hours ringing. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Blackcaps, 26 Chaffinches, 160 Starlings, 3 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 18 Skylarks, 8 Song Thrushes, 5 Mallard, 12 Lapwings and 3 Jays.

 Birds ringed 19: Chiffchaff 5, Long-tailed Tit 4, Wren 1, Blackcap 5, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blackbird 2.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0700 and 1030 walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and the Wantsum. He counted 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrels, 35 Stock Doves W, 2 Jays W, 26 alba Wagtails W, 8 Stonechats, 1 Siskin W, 18 Chaffinches W, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 24 Chiffchaffs and 1 Blackcap.

A walk around Reculver this afternoon produced 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and an adult Shag sitting on the red topped post below the Towers.

October 10th

For most of the morning it was foggy but this eventually cleared to hazy sunshine. We had a ringing session at Reculver where we saw 18 Chiffchaffs, 19 Jays flying W during the morning, 17 Mallard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Lapwings, 6 Mute Swans, 3 Teal, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Brambling, 30 Linnets, 3 Grey Herons, 15 Robins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Snipe, 1 Redwing, 4 Siskins and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 26: Chiffchaff 11, Blackcap 9, Robin 1, Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith and Patrick Giles were out between 0700 and 1430 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall before returning along the railway embankment and Netherhale. They counted 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Little Owl, 21 Jays flying W in loose groups, 1+ Bearded Tit, 1 Rock Pipit, 18 Pied Wagtails W, 16 Siskins W, 64 Chaffinches W, 28 Goldfinches W, 8 Stonechats, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 38 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps and 3 Corn Buntings.

October 9th

The undoubted highlight of the day was when Dave Smith found a superb Arctic Warbler (186th) in sycamores beside the railway at the Shuart crossing. This is only the second one seen in the recording area following one at Bishopstone Glen from October 1st-8th 1996 and is only the sixth record for Kent. Other birds seen in the same trees were 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Siskins and 2 Bramblings.

Arctic Warbler - Dave Smith

Arctic Warbler - Marc Heath

 In addition to seeing this excellent bird we spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Grey Wagtails, 14 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Merlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Mallard, 6 Jays, 6 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 25 Linnets, 15 Meadow Pipits, 8 Siskins, 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Blackcap, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Buzzards and 6 Song Thrushes.

Birds ringed 25: Chiffchaff 8, Wren 1, Firecrest 1, Robin 6, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 1, Blackcap 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbirds 4.

Male Firecrest

 

Arctic Warbler - Barry Wright

Arctic Warbler - Barry Wright

Arctic Warbler - Barry Wright

Arctic Warbler - Barry Wright

Arctic Warbler - Barry Wright

On their walk back to Shuart, Derek Smith and Barry Wright saw 2 Short-eared Owls.

Short-eared Owl - Barry Wright

October 8th

We spent an overcast and calm morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway and saw a lot of birds on the move. Birds we counted included 26 Redwings W, 24 Goldfinches, 8 Chiffchaffs, 104 Chaffinches, 336 Lapwings W, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Brambling W, 28 Song Thrushes, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Mallard, 7 Golden Plover, 985 Starlings W, 2 Jays high in off the sea, 2 Blackcaps, 22 Siskins W, 10 Blackbirds, 1 Kestrel, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Yellowhammers, 50 Reed Buntings, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 23 Skylarks W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 52 Greylag Geese, 1 Tree Pipit W, 12 Linnets and 1 Ring Ouzel.

Birds ringed 66: Chiffchaff 5, Wren 1, Robin 2, Reed Bunting 28, Cetti's Warbler 1, Goldfinch 7, Chaffinch 6, Linnet 2, Blackcap 2, Great Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Yellowhammer 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 2, Starling 1, Blackbird 3.

Female Yellowhammer

 

This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back and recorded good number of thrushes including 1 Fieldfare and some Redwing, 15+ Chiffchaffs, 5 Brambling, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Wheatear, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Sandwich Tern.

This afternoon Matt had a walk at Reculver and recorded 4 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Litle Egret, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Kestrels and 1 Great Crested Grebe. He also saw a Clouded Yellow and a Willow Emerald Damselfly.

Kestrel - Matt Hindle

October 7th

This morning was quiet and overcast after yesterday's wind as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to he Oyster Farm lagoons. Birds we saw included 16 Chiffchaffs, 1 Tufted Duck, 17 Chaffinches, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, 97 Mallard, 4 Curlew W, 31 Wigeon, 88 Lapwings W, 2 Snipe, 41 Linnets, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Redshank, 2 Teal, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 100 House Sparrows, 2 Pintail, male and female, flying E, 12 Turnstone, 11 Ringed Plover and 1 Water Rail calling beside the Wantsum.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour  and Plumpudding between 0700 and 1100. He recorded 2 Greylag Geese E, 5 Curlew, 193 Lapwings W, 2 Snipe, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Merlin chasing a Skylark, 2 Sparrowhawks, 18 Redwings W, 1 Kingfisher, 170 Starlings W, 7 Siskins W, 22 Chaffinches W, 6 Bramblings W, 73 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 8 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Stonechat.

October 6th

Matt spent a profitable eight hours seawatching at Reculver today and I joined him this morning and after lunch for a total of five hours with Richard Collins and John Cantelo each having an hour or two this morning. Most birds were flying W and we counted 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Merlin in off the sea as it was getting light, 9 Red-throated Divers, 4 large auks, 100 Sandwich Terns, 154 Gannets, 203 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 51 Razorbills, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Grey Herons, 8 Arctic Skuas, 2 Arctic Terns, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Swallows in off, 1 Little Tern, 243 Wigeon, 71 Common Scoter, 15 Guillemots, 1 Curlew, 3 Great Skuas, 16 Teal, 1 Peregrine, 27 Dunlin, 1 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pintail, 1 Snipe, 2 Red-breasted Margansers, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Grey Phalarope (185th).

October 5th

An hour spent at Reculver this morning produced 1 Little Egret, 15 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 first winter Arctic Tern flying E and then back W (184th) and 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

October 4th

We spent the morning at Reculver walking and sheltering from the heavy showers. We counted 9 Swallows and 66 House Martins around the Towers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Gannet E, 3 Shelduck W, 1 juvenile Common Tern W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Kestrel, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 3 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Curlew.

House Martins sheltering from the heavy rain on Reculver Towers

October 3rd

We arrived at Reculver just after the heavy, overnight rain had moved off east and we walked up to Coldharbour. We saw 19 Swallows, 26 House Martins, 1 Curlew, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel and 6 Red-throated Divers, including two close inshore and in summer plumage calling to each other. We also saw 37 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 9 Gannets, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Lapwings, 14 Turnstone, 46 Ringed Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Redshank, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Water Rail, 3 Corn Buntings, 14 Reed Buntings, 4 Mediterranean Gulls flying W, 75 Mallard, 9 Wigeon, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Teal and 1 Grey Heron.

October 2nd

This morning we managed a ringing session at Reculver before the rain and gale force winds arrived. We saw 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 30 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 20 Blackcaps, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 1 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammers, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Mute Swans, 14 Skylarks, 2 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Heron and 1 female Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 39: Chiffchaff 19, Blackcap 15, Cetti's Warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2.

October 1st

A quick visit to Reculver this morning in the drizzle and wind produced 3 Sandwich Terns flying E, 3 House Martins flying W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Guillemot flying E.