January 1st

2022 began with a very mild but blustery morning. I arrived at Reculver at 0715 when it was still dark and walked inland as the sun came up. Birds I saw included 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Coot, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Water Rail. Next I walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 100 House Sparrows, 6 Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Stonechats, 25 Linnets, 2 Grey Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 240 Lapwings in two flocks, 1 Skylark, and 1 Razorbill flying E close in shore. After this we spent time at the eastern end of the Marsh where we found a Barn Owl, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. Our total of species for the day was a disappointing 59 with some common birds not seen.

Dave Smith was out in the Shuart, Brooksend and Plumpudding area today with his highlights being 1 Cattle Egret at Plumpudding Stables, 1 Russian White-fronted Goose, 1 Ruff, 1 Razorbill, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Marsh Harriers and 1 Red-throated Diver. 

Julian and Alex Perry walked around the area from 0720 and 1730 and recorded 75 species with some of their highlights being 1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Little Owl, 1 Peregrine, 1 Pintail, 2 Firecrests, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Raven, Red-legged Partridges, 1 Pheasant, 1 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, Ringed Plovers, Common Gulls, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 5 Long-tailed Tits.

Raven - Alex Perry

Russian White-fronted Goose - Alex Perry

Male Pintail - Alex Perry

 Derek Smith was also out between  0800 and 1200 and walked from Shuart to Brooksend, Minnis Bay and the Stables. He counted 1 Gannet E, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Red-throated Divers E, 18 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cattle Egret, 8 Little Egrets, 46 Greylag Geese, 5 White-fronted Geese, 2 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 14 Golden Plovers, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 140 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchafff and 6 Corn Buntings.

Cattle Egret - Derek Smith

Russian White-fronted Geese - Derek Smith

Purple Sandpiper - Derek Smith

In addition, David and June Elliott had a Goosander fly out of Coldharbour and W towards Reculver.

This made the total of species seen in the recording area today as 91.