November 30th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where the highlight was catching the Siberian "tristis" Chiffchaff that we heard calling yesterday. We heard its typical piping "peeoo" throughout the morning. 

Siberian "tristis" Chiffchaff

Other birds we saw during the morning included 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Water Rails, 4 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Siskins, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 350 Woodpigeons, 1 Peregrine, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Golden Plover and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Male Corn Bunting

 

Birds ringed 15: Common Chiffchaff 1, Siberian Chiffchaff 1, Chaffinch 1, Lesser Redpoll 1, Reed Bunting 1, House Sparrow 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 5, Corn Bunting 2.

November 29th

On what turned out to be a drizzly morning we walked inland at Reculver and then on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 3 Chiffchaffs with 1 Siberian Chiffchaff calling frequently, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Redwing, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Grey Wagtails, 380 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier being mobbed by Carrion Crows, 90 Golden Plovers, 47 Mallard, 40 Corn Buntings, 9 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Merlin.

November 28th

After yesterday's washout this morning was relatively bright and still as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 420 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 290 Cormorants, 18 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 4 Corn Buntings, 57 Carrion Crows, 18 Goldfinches, 8 Linnets, 52 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 1 Turstone, 2 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 immature Black Redstart on the railings at the car park.

Immature Black Redstart

Matt was out earlier than us and walked up to Plumpudding. He saw 1,100 Cormorants, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Red-throated Divers, 677 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Stonechats, 8 Corn Buntings, 79 Carrion Crows, 1 Great Northern Diver, 61 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 500 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 17 Coot, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rails, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Bearded Tits, 1 Merlin, 1 Tree Sparrow and 1 Grey Wagtail.

November 26th

On a beautiful winter's morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 49 Blackbirds in bushes along the Wantsum, 17 Chaffinches, 41 Redwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 10 Coot, 1 Gadwall, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Spoonbill flying N over the Wantsum and then E along the coast (196th), 36 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 250 Lapwings, 1 Peregrine, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Water Rail, 2 Shelduck, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 30 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Redshank, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Turnstone.

November 25th

We arrived at Reculver at sunrise and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour. We counted 550 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 10 Meadow Pipits, 400 Lapwings, 76 Mallard, 2 Curlews, 3 Shelduck, 1 first winter Little Gull flying W, 5 Redshank, 11 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats, 62 Ringed Plovers, 30 Golden Plovers, 6 Goldfinches and 1 female Red-breasted Merganser flying W.

Ringed Plovers

November 24th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 540 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 325 Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Redshank, 26 Goldfinches, 38 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 41 Ringed Plovers, 7 Linnets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers,  65 Golden Plovers, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Red-throated Diver

November 23rd

On an increasingly unpleasant morning with a strong SW wind and heavy rain we spent two hours seawatching at Minnis Bay. We counted 2 Sandwich Terns, 11 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 16 Gannets, 90 Sanderling, 76 Oystercatcher, 55 Turnstone, 126 Dunlin, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Curlew, 57 Grey Plovers, 17 Redshank, 15 Chaffinches flying W, 5 Starlings flying in off the sea and 4 Common Scoter.

November 22nd

Although chilly this morning it was bright and sunny as we walked from Reculver along the seawall to Coldharbour. We counted 480 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Mute Swans, 1 Red-necked Grebe on the sea off the Towers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Red-throated Diver, 110 Cormorants, 6 Gannets, 3 Redshank, 2 Great Northern Divers near Coldharbour, 34 Mallard, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Sanderling, 1 Shelduck, 2 Grey Plovers, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 1 Black Redstart briefly at the sluice before being seen off by a Robin and 1 Goldcrest.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Matt had a seawatch from Minnis Bay this afternoon and saw 10 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Gannets, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Little Egret and 39 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

November 21st

On an overcast and increasingly drizzly morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 3 Little Egrets, 197 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Mute Swans, 3 Gannets, 11 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Terns, 8 Redshank, 4 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Shelduck, 5 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 35 Cormorants, 14 Coot, 4 Goldfinches, 4 Red-throated Divers, 17 Carrion Crows, 86 Golden Plovers and 1 Stonechat.

Mallard on the sea

Matt was out well before us this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. Birds he saw included 350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Gannet, 5 Red-throated Divers, 1,200 Cormorants flying out to sea, 3 Little Egrets, 826 Lapwings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Kestrels, 1 Great Northern Diver, 35 Mute Swans, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Shelduck, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Scoter, 16 Curlew, 15 Coot, 5 Bearded Tits, 1 Water Rail, 1 Rock Pipit, 90 Sanderling, 25 Turnstone, 47 Grey Plover, 40 Ringed Plovers, 46 Redshank, 110 Oystercatchers, 5 Greenfinches, 3 Redwings, 1 Peregrine, 12 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Golden Plovers, 35 Fieldfares, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Tree Sparrows, 1 female Merlin, 1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 40 Mallard and 1 Kingfisher.

 

Great Northern Diver - Matt Hindle

 November 20th

On a cool and rainy morning Matt arrived at Minnis Bay at 0700 and we arrived an hour later and together we stayed there until 1010. Matt's final totals for the morning were 2 Little Egrets, 65 Gannets, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, 24 Red-throated Divers, 209 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 49 Shelduck, 37W and 12E, 5 Razorbill and 5 Sandwich Terns, our latest ever record. We also saw 13 Wigeon W, 9 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover, 12 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 6 Little Gulls, 2E and 4W, 2 Red-necked Grebes, 1 flying W and 1 on the sea, 38 Common Scoter, 22W and 16E, 12 Redshank, 4 male Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Gadwall W, 3 Pintail W, 1 immature/female Goldeneye W, 51 Lapwing W, 2 Rock Pipits, 12 Teal W, 2 Shoveler W and 3 Greylag Geese E.

November 19th

On a chilly morning at Reculver we saw 1 Kestrel, 3 Curlews, 11 Gannets, 1 Red-throated Diver, 64 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 294 Cormorants, 1 Redshank, 28 Carrion Crows, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Little Egret, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 10 Teal W, 1 Common Scoter W and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers W.

Derek Smith was out in the rain after lunch and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back. Birds he counted included 14 Grey Herons, 130 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels, 2 Siskins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Firecrests and 20 Godcrests.

November 18th

Although it was overcast this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour at least it was not raining. We counted 2 Kestrels, 3 Kittiwakes flying W, 57 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 19 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 110 Cormorants, 25 Common Scoter, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin flying W low over the sea, 1 Curlew, 4 Coot, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Teal, 11 Chaffinches, 1 Gannet, 29 Carrion Crows and 2 Stonechats.

November 17th

On another foul morning with wind and rain we spent an hour at Reculver where we saw 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Gannets, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers flying W, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black Redstart feeding in the shelter of the rocks at the car park, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Redshank.

November 16th

On a very wet morning we spent an hour at Reculver and only managed to see 103 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Northern Diver flying W, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

November 15th

This morning we walked around various sites at Reculver and recorded 2 Redwings, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Coot, 27 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Lapwings, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Blackbirds, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Goldcrests, 156 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 4 Gannets E, 1 immature Black Redstart at the car park, 2 Pied Wagtails and 19 Little Gulls flying W.

Early morning at Reculver - Anne Hindle

November 14th

We spent another foggy morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Water Rails, 4 Fieldfares, 13 Redwings, 20 Tree Sparrows, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Bullfinch (195th), 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Chaffinches and 1 Siskin.

Birds ringed 10: Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 1, Reed Bunting 1, Great Tit 2, Robin 1, Chaffinch 1, Tree Sparrow 1, Blackbird 1.

November 13th

This morning began foggy but eventually cleared to sunshine as we spent the time ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. Birds we saw included 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Bramblings, 9 Brent Geese flying south inland in the fog, 2 Fieldfares, 20 Redwing, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Dunlin, 20 Blackbirds, 1 Siskin, 15 Song Thrushes, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 1 Tree Sparrow, 50 Chaffinches and 9 Skylarks.

Birds ringed 46: Wren 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 4, Chaffinch 10, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 10, Stonechat 1, House Sparrow 1, Song Thrush 6, Blackbird 9.

Derek Smith was out between 0715 and 1200 and walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a mixed flock of 150 duck including Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall off Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He also saw 2 Marsh Harriers, 20 Lapwings S, 1 Snipe W, 70 Redwings, 15 Fieldfares W, 2 Rock Pipits,  8 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear at Coldharbour, 1 Black Redstart on the rocks at Plumpudding, 2 Bearded Tits at Coldharbour, 2 Bramblings W, 4 Siskins W,7 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldcrests and 7 Corn Buntings.

Black Redstart - Derek Smith

November 12th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 24 Tree Sparrows, 10 Redwing, 2 Water Rails, 23 Fieldfares, 34 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 1 Common Buzzard, 24 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Dartford Warbler we first ringed on October 11th, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Bramblings, 1 Blackcap, 36 Chaffinches W, 1 Yellowhammer, 12 Goldfinches and 1 Kingfisher.

Birds ringed 28: Goldcrest 5, Chiffchaff 2, Robin 3, Stonechat 2, Reed Bunting 3, Lesser Redpoll 2, Meadow Pipit 1, Tree Sparrow 1, Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Siskin 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 2.

Tree Sparrow

Lesser Redpoll

Juvenile Dartford Warbler first ringed on October 11th

 

Derek Smith was also out at the eastern end of the Marsh between 0700 and 1200 and saw 64 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrels, 1 Sandwich Tern, 87 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 76 Ringed Plover, 44 Grey Plover, 30 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 22 Turnstone, 14 Magpies flying W along the embankment, 60 Redwing W, 8 Fieldfare W, 30+ Song Thrush along the embankment, 400 Starling W, 45 Skylarks W, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Tits, 8 Tree Sparrows, 7 Brambling W, 1 Redpoll W, 8 Siskin W, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Dartford Warbler 1 at Plumpudding, 3 Chiffchaffs, 35 Goldcrests, 1 Yellowhammer and 5 Corn Buntings. He also saw Speckled Wood and Brimstone butterflies at Shuart.

November 11th

On an overcast and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. We counted 64 Chaffinches, 8 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, 32 Woodpigeons W, 10 Golden Plovers, 6 Gadwall, 12 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 25 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 68 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 30 Ringed Plovers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Goldcrest.

Rock Pipit

November 10th

It was mild and breezy this morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 4 Red-throated Divers, 27 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 alba Wagtails, 38 Meadow Pipits, 5 Redshank, 19 Goldfinches, 56 Linnets, 3 Stonechats, 31 Cormorants, 2 Grey Plovers, 59 Mallard, 5 Corn Buntings, 45 Golden Plovers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatchers, 46 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Skylarks W and 27 Chaffinches W.

Juvenile and adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Adult Common Gull

November 9th

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Grey Herons, 29 Mute Swans, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel and 1 Firecrest.

Great Crested Grebes

November 8th

We only spent an hour at Reculver this morning and did not see a great deal, just 71 Chaffinches flying W, 4 Gannets, 3 Pied Wagtails and 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

November 7th

Luckily the threatened rain did not arrive this morning whilst we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We  recorded 14 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Kingfishers, 21 Linnets, 14 Ringed Plovers, 9 Goldfinches, 4 Reed Buntings, 4 Mallard, 5 Gannets E, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Coot, 2 Corn Buntings and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to Plumpudding. He saw 1 Dartford Warbler, 11 Golden Plovers, 4 Yellowhammers, 2 Fieldfares, 3 Goldcrest, 40 Chaffinches, 6 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Bearded Tits, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 44 Ringed Plovers, 120 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 30 alba Wagtails, 5 Sandwich Terns, 113 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Gannets, 8 Grey Plovers, 40 Turnstone, 12 Curlew and 80 Oystercatchers.

November 6th

It was pouring with rain this morning with a strong south westerly wind blowing so we sat at Reculver for an hour but did not see very much. We counted 19 Gannets E, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Redshank, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Teal and 6 Shelduck W.

Whilst Anne and I were at Reculver, Matt was at Minnis Bay and counted 19 Gannets, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Razorbills, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Red-throated Divers, 5 Common Scoter E and 6 Shelduck W.

Marc Heath birded at Minnis Bay from 0715 to 0945 and counted 94 Oystercatchers, 14 Curlew, 33 Redshank, 43 Turnstone, 28 Grey Plovers, 1 Razorbill, 6 Red-throated Divers, 5 Dunlin, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 90 Sanderling, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Sandwich Terns, 35 Gannets, 7 Ringed Plovers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Common Scoter and 6 Shelducks W

November 5th

We spent a dull and dreary morning ringing at Reculver until the rain stopped play. We recorded 1 Woodcock, 2 Tawny Owls, 31 Redpolls, 1 Water Rail, 4 Fielfares, 3 Blackcaps including a Dutch ringed bird, 7 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 6 Redwings, 34 Siskins, 122 Woodpigeons moving W, 13 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Wagtails, 56 Lapwings W, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallard, 7 Skylarks W, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 19: Chiffchaff 7, Wren 1, Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 2, Robin 1, Chaffinch 2, Siskin 4, Blackbird 1

Adult male Siskin

First year male Dutch ringed Blackcap

November 4th

Matt and I arrived at Reculver Towers at 0630 just as the overnight rain had moved off south and stayed until 1200. There was a very fresh NNW wind blowing and we enjoyed the best seawatch of the year so far with most birds flying west. We counted 151 Gannet, 48W and 103 E, 937 Kittiwakes, 98 Razorbills and 10 Pomarine Skuas, including 2 adults one with spoons (192nd). We also saw 142 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Red-throated Divers, 12 Teal, 19 Common Scoter, 1 Rock Pipit, 16 Arctic Skuas, 12 Little Gulls, 1 Slavonian Grebe sitting on the sea off the Towers (193rd), 45 Cormorants, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Great Skuas, 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 male Black Redstart at the Towers, 7 Sandwich Terns, 1 Red-necked Grebe flying W with a Great Crested Grebe, 14 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Sooty Shearwater E (194th) and a flock of 165 Starlings flying in off the sea.

November 3rd

On an unpleasant morning with a strong south westerly wind and heavy rain we spent an hour at Reculver where we counted 8 Gannets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Oystercatchers, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Kittiwakes W, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 11 Chaffinches W at sea, 1 Red-throated Diver E and 16 Cormorants.

November 2nd

On a beautiful morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 7 alba Wagtails, 7 Gannets, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Red-throated Divers, 33 Meadow Pipits, 7 Skylarks, 1 Great Northern Diver flying E towards Minnis Bay, 35 Carrion Crows, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 48 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Stonechats, 1 Oystercatcher, 19 Goldfinches, 3 Ringed Plovers, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 8 Coot, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Black Redstarts at the Towers, 1 adult male and 1 first year bird.

First year Black Redstart

November 1st

With a strong south westerly wind blowing in showers we limited our walk this morning to Reculver and the Towers. We saw 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Redshank, 29 Cormorants, 1 Common Scoter, 16 Gannets fishing offshore, 4 Meadow Pipits, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Redwings, 2 Kestrels, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 male Black Redstart and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls.