October 11th

We spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Yellowhammers, 5 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Gadwall, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 60 Chaffinches, 24 Skylarks W, 1 Jay, 4 Siskins, 1 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 64 Lapwings W and 1 male Marsh Harrier. Later Matt caught and ringed a first year Dartford Warbler at Reculver.

Birds ringed 37: Chiffchaff 1, Wren 3, Robin 4, Chaffinch 12, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Reed Bunting 4, Dunnock 3, Song Thrush 4, Blackbird 2, Dartford Warbler 1.

First year Dartford Warbler

Dave Smith was out early and spent one and a half hours at Reculver and recorded 2 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Black Redstart, 5 Meadow Pipits, 8 Chaffinches and 1 Siskin.

During the morning Brendan Ryan found another Dartford Warbler beside the Wantsum. His other highlights included 2 Bearded Tits along seawall, plus others heard flying over the railway embankment but not seen, 4 Sandwich Terns, 12 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest and 1 Common Redstart.

Dartford Warbler - Brendan Ryan

Bearded Tit - Brendan Ryan

Derek Smith and Alan Pavey were out between 0730 and 1330 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. They counted 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 6 Teal, 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Kestrels, 8 Sandwich Terns, 15 Golden Plovers, 5 Curlew, 1 Water Rail, 33 Skylarks NW, 1,800 Starlings W, 7 Song Thrushes W, 6 Redwings W, 1 Common Redstart, 23 Stonechats, 8 Bearded Tits, 1 Brambling W, 38 Siskons W, 26 Goldfinches W, 96 Chaffinches W, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Chiffchaffs, 14 Blackcaps, 1 Dartford Warbler beside the Wantsum, 25 Goldcrests and 3 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Ravens, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Kestrels, 14 Stonechats, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Red-throated Divers, 3 Swallows W, 92 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 juvenile Red-necked Grebe (189th), 2 Wigeon, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Rock Pipit, 13 Teal, 23 Redshank and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Juvenile Red-necked Grebe - Matt Hindle

In addition, David Elliott was a female Red-breatsed Merganser at Minnis Bay.

Female Red-breasted Merganser - David Elliott