June 30th

On a cloudy morning with showers threatening Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He counted 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Kingfisher, 34 Swifts, 4 Kestrels, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 adult Ringed Plovers with 3 juveniles, 10 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Terns, 1 Redshank, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 House Martin, 30 Sand Martins, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Stonechats, 6 Mallard, 2 juvenile Little Owls, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, 13 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Garden Warbler.

June 29th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 18 Blackcaps, 15 Sand Martins, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Greenshank flying W, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Lapwings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Mallard, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Swifts and 12 Reed Warblers.

Birds ringed 39: Wren 5, Great Tit 3, Blackcap 11, Sedge Warbler 2, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Whitethroat 1, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 3, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 6.

June 28th

This morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Whitethroats, 22 Linnets, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Little Egrets, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Mallard, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W and 300 immature Herring Gulls flying inshore as the tide came in. Other birds seen included our first 2 juvenile Black-headed Gulls, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 juvenile Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Stonechat and 2 Kestrels. I also found 1 Norfolk Hawker catching insects in the lee of the seawall and 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and counted 12 Tufted Duck, 5 Lapwings, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martins, 6 Goldfinches and 2 Pied Wagtails.

June 27th

We arrived on the Marsh this afternoon early and just after lunch in the hope of avoiding the threatened showers. Birds we saw included 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Turtle Dove "purring", 2 Mallard, 2 Common Terns, 2 Ravens, 11 Tufted Duck and 2 Green Sandpipers.

Approaching shower

June 26th

On a warm and sunny but blustery afternoon I walked inland at Reculver and saw 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Raven, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Whitethroats, 23 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Grey Partrdges.

June 25th

This afternoon we had a walk at Reculver and saw 1 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, 22 Stock Doves, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 24 Swift feeding high over the wheat fields, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Mallard and 1 purring male Turtle Dove.

June 24th

It was warm but breezy this afteroon as I walked at Reculver. I recorded 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Sand Martins, 1 Oystercatchers, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Lapwings, 1 Shelduck, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Yellow Wagtail. I also found 2 Willow Emerald Damselflies.

Willow Emerald Damselfly

June 23rd

We had some good news today as the British Birds Rarities Committee published acceptance of the male Pallid Harrier we saw at Reculver Marshes on 8th April 2021.

Matt spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where he saw 1 Cuckoo, 10 Whitethroats, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 400 Herring Gulls, 4 Sedge Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers and 2 Kestrels.

Birds ringed 27: Cetti's Warbler 3, Whitethroat 8, Robin 2, Linnet 3, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 3, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 1.

This afternoon I had a walk at Reculver where I recorded 5 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 18 Stock Doves, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Cetti's Warblers and 1 singing Garden Warbler.

June 22nd

On a beautiful summer's morning we had a walk at Reculver and then at Chamber's Wall. At Reculver we saw 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Ravens, 8 Sand Martins, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Swifts, 2 Common Terns, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Green Woodpecker whilst at Chamber's Wall we counted 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Kestrels, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Tufted Duck.

Kestrel

June 21st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 1 Barn Owl, 2 Ravens, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Mallard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Sandpipers, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, Cuckoo, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Common Tern.

Birds ringed 21: Wren 3, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 4, Chaffinch 1, Garden Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 4.

June 20th

Although it was bright and sunny this morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour there was a chilly, eyewatering, northerly wind blowing in off the sea. Birds I saw included 5 Whitethroats, 9 Goldfinches, 21 Linnets, 1 Swallow, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Chaffinches, 11 Reed Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Coot, 8 Skylarks, 2 Swifts W and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Woodpigeon

June 19th

After the recent hot weather and overnight thunder storms there was a chilly NW wind blowing as I arrived at Reculver this afternoon. I saw 3 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Ravens, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Redshank, 1 Corn Bunting singing, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 5 Mute Swans, 12 Mallard, 3 Sedge Warblers and 2 Coot.

June 18th

On another very warm morning I walked inland at Reculver and saw 6 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Sand Martins, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Shelduck, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Coot, 1 Common Tern, 9 Mallard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Garden Warbler.

This afternoon Dave Smith had a walk at Minnis Bay and Plumpudding and his highlights were 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Fulmar, 1 Marsh Harrier and 3 Kestrels.

June 17th

Although there was a south-west wind blowing at Reculver this morning it was still hot and humid with the temperature reaching 28°C by 1000. On my walk I recorded 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 15 Mallard, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Moorhens, 2 Sedge Warblers and 2 Shelduck.

Banded Demoiselle

Today I received information concerning a first year Sedge Warbler we ringed at Shuart on 3rd August 2020. It was controlled at Lax Hill, Rutland on 30th April 2022. Lax Hill is 194 km NW of Shuart.

June 16th

Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Lapwings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 7 Mallard, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Ravens, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Shelduck, 1 Jay, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. 

He also recorded Red eyed Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies, Azure Damselflies, Blue-tailed Damselflies, 8 Banded Demoiselles, Black tailed Skimmers,  Emperor Dragonflies and 3 Norfolk Hawkers.

Birds ringed 22: Chiffchaff 2, Robin 4, Reed Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 2, Goldfinch 2, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 2, Blue Tit 3, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

June 15th

This morning Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the railway embankment and recorded 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Little Egrets, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Mistle Thrush. He also saw 1 Norfolk Hawker, 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth and 22 Southern Marsh Orchids.

Southern Marsh Orchid - Matt Hindle

On a very warm afternoon with a pleasant NE breeze blowing I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Raven, 14 Little Egrets roosting in Coldharbour, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Gannets E and 2 Common Terns. I also saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

June 14th

Matt completed two Turtle Dove Survey squares this morning in the Chamber's Wall and Shuart areas without seeing one but he did find 1 Norfolk Hawker, 15 Common Spotted Orchids and 70 Pyramidal Orchids.

Norfolk Hawker - Matt Hindle

Common Spotted Orchid - Matt Hindle

Matt and I both walked inland at Reculver during the day and between us saw 2 Ravens, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lapwing, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Kestrels, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Hobby, 1 Great Crested Grebe,  1 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Oystercatcher, 25 Stock Doves, 4 Sand Martins, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Mallard and 1 Green Woodpecker.

June 13th

Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 2 Garden Warblers, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Tufted Duck, 24 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swift, 8 Sand Martins, 2 Grey Partridges, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Raven, 1 Shelduck, 2 Kestrels, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Reed Warblers and 2 Oystercatchers.

Birds ringed 25: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Robin 5, Cetti's Warbler 5, Blackcap 2, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 3.

This afternoon I had a check of the Reculver/Bishopstone Sand Martin colony and was sad to find that this is the worst year I can remember with only about 30 pairs present. There were none at either Reculver or Bishopstone ends and the only ones I could find were on the headland half way between the two.

Half of this year's Sand Martin holes

June 12th

On another warm and breezy afternoon I had a walk at Reculver and saw 4 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 2 Ravens, 1 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Whitethroats, 9 Reed Warblers, 7 Moorhens, 15 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Coot.

Small Tortoiseshell seem common this year

 June 11th

This afternoon I had a walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour for the first time in a month. It was warm and breezy and a typical June afternoon with only resident birds to be seen. I counted 2 Swallows, 6 Linnets, 1 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroats, 15 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Goldfinches, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Common Tern, 2 Coot, 2 Oystercatchers and another sitting on a nest in a maize field, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Rock Pipit displaying at a Meadow Pipit near Coldharbour and 1 Grey Heron.

This evening at 1820 David and June Elliott had an Osprey (171st) fly south over Hillborough.

Pyramidal Orchid

June 10th

Although it was sunny and warm this afternoon at Reculver there was a blustery W wind blowing. In an hour I managed to find 7 Whitethroats, 3 Moorhens, 2 Blackcaps, 24 Stock Doves, 5 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Hobby hunting over the fields, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Grey Partridges.

Adult Pied Wagtail

June 8th

This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and recorded 1 Knot flying W (170th), 2 Stonechats, 2 Common Terns, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Kestrels, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Swallows.

Common Tern - Matt Hindle

Biting Stonecrop - Matt Hindle

Pyramidal Orchid - Matt Hindle

 He also found 51 Pyramidal Orchids at Coldharbour, 6 Bee Orchids at Plumpudding and 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

My walk at Reculver this afternoon produced 3 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Shelduck, 6 Tufted Ducks, 7 Mallard, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Kestrels, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Terry Wilson was also out today and discovered that Oystercatchers had successfully bred at Plumpudding lagoon.

Oystercatcher - Ken Blight

June 7th

Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Sand Martins, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Shelduck, 15 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 34: Chiffchaff 4, Long-tailed Tit 1, Reed Warbler 8, Robin 4, Blackcap 2, Chaffinch 2, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Garden Warbler 1, Dunnock 5, Blackbird 3.

I had a walk at Reculver after lunch and recorded 2 Blackcaps, 10 Sand Martins, 5 Shelduck, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Grey Heron.

June 6th

This afternoon Matt and I walked at Reculver and recorded 4 Blackcaps, 5 Tufted Ducks, 7 Shelduck, 5 Lapwings, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Sand Martins, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Swift, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler singing, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mallard, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Jay and 2 Chiffchaffs.

At 1930 after a light rain shower had moved through 150+ feeding Swifts flew W in half an hour.

June 5th

Derek Smith was out this morning in the Shuart area but even thought there were not many birds to be seen he spent his time photographing some of the local orchids.

Bee Orchids - Derek Smith

Southern Marsh Orchid - Derek Smith

My walk at Reculver this afternoon did not produce a great deal, just 1 Grey Heron, 11 Linnets, 2 Coot, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Whitethroats, 25 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Jay, 1 Shelduck, 5 Reed Warblers, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Blackcap.

June 4th

On a cool and blustery afternoon my walk at Reculver produced 4 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Pied Wagtails, 9 Sand Martins, 1 Common Buzzards, 32 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 singing Corn Bunting, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Coot, 4 Reed Warblers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Ringed Plover

 Dave Smith was out for just over three hours this morning at Minnis Bay and Plumpudding. Birds he saw included 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Swift, 1 Lapwing, 3 Turnstone, 2 Common Terns, 1 Fulmar, 4 Little Egrets and 1 Rock Pipit.

June 3rd

On my afternoon walk at Reculver in bright sunshine with a fresh NE wind blowing I saw 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps, 22 Stock Doves, 8 Sand Martins, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Shelduck, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Lapwing, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 summer plumaged Dunlin, 8 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 8 Reed Warblers, 15 Mallard, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Jay and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

June 2nd

Dave Smith was out at 0350 and walked around Minnis Bay and Plumpudding for four hours. Birds he saw included 2 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Ducks, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Lapwings, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying W, 1 Common Tern, 17 Little Egrets in Coldharbour early on, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallows, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Corn Buntings.

A lunchtime walk at Reculver produced 2 Blackcaps, 5 Reed Warblers, 12 Sand Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 17 Mallard, 1 male Shoveler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Tufted Ducks, 6 Pied Wagtails, 2 Shelduck, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Coot and 1 Garden Warbler.

June 1st

On another sunny afternoon I walked at Reculver and recorded 5 Pied Wagtails, 5 Moorhens, 7 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Sand Martins, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Jays, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzard, 26 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler singing, 1 Litle Egret, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Kestrel, 6 Swifts flying W, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

Small Heath