May14th

On a beautiful late spring morning Matt decided to have a change of scenery and walked from Bishopstone to Reculver and then out on to the Marsh. He counted 7 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Swifts W, 40 Sand Martins, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Corn Buntings, 5 Swallows W, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 pairs of Grey Partridges along the cliff top path, 16 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 4 Stonechats, 4 Wheatears, 3 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Alex Perry also refound the male Grey-headed Wagtail at Plumpudding Stables this morning but photograped an individual that appears to be another male Grey-headed Wagtail. This bird is in a slightly different plumage to the one photographed yesterday as it has some white on the throat. Reading "Pipits and Wagtails" in the Helm Identification series it appears that first summmer males can have white on their throat.

First summer Grey-headed Wagtail - Alex Perry

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0530 and in the next five and a half hours walked along the embankment to Coldharbour, Plumpudding and on to Netherhale. He recorded 5 Great Crested Grebes on the sea, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Kestrels, 2 Lapwings, 2 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Wheatear, 14 Cetti's Warblers and 18 Blackcaps.

Male Stonechat - Matt Hindle

Wheatear - Matt Hindle