January 31st

On another bright and breezy morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 7 Redshank, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Corn Buntings, 22 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 11 Turnstone, 30 Oystercatchers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sanderling 60 Common Scoter, 8 Snow Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel and 1 female/immature male Black Redstart.

Bar-tailed Godwit with Oystercatchers

Matt was out early and walked as far as Plumpudding and recorded 4 Stonechats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Great Crested Grebes, 60 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter, 1 Bewick's Swan, 219 Oystercatchers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Ringed Plovers, 30 Turnstone, 30 Grey Plovers, 1 Kestrel, 13 Curlew, 2 Little Grebes, 31 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Little Egret, 8 Snow Buntings and 1 female/immature male Black Redstart.

January 30th

On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Reculver to the Wanstum outflow and saw 33 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Snow Buntings, 1 Shelduck, 24 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Carrion Crows, 55 Chaffinches and 1 Yellowhammer.

Also this morning, Julian Perry had a female Blackcap (117th) in his garden at Bishopstone.

January 29th

This morning we had a wander on the Marsh south of the railway and recorded 1 Bewick's Swan, 1 Raven, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Woodcock, 2 Coot, 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Yellowhammers, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Linnets, 8 Reed Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Buzzard.

Earler this morning Marc Heath had 1 Tawny Owl and 2 Woodcock at Shuart.

January 28th

It was a much more pleasant morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. We counted 160 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Corn Buntings, 8 Snow Buntings, 62 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 adult male Peregrine hunting along the beach, 1 Curlew, 4 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 22 Mute Swans, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Yellowhammers, 300 Chaffinches and a stunning male Brambling.

Corn Bunting

Marc Heath was out early and heard a Tawny Owl at Shuart.

January 27th

This morning we began by birding inland at Reculver where we recorded 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coot, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrels, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Goldfinches, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Redwing and feeding on a grain spill on the road we found 250 Chaffinches, 2 Brambling (116th) and 5 Yellowhammers. Later at Shuart we saw 8 Goldfinches, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Kestrels.

Dave Smith was out early in the Shuart and Plumpudding area and counted 125 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 75 Oystercatchers, 55 Grey Plovers, 3 Curlew, 44 Turnstone, 33 Dunlin, 1,000+ Cormorants flying out to sea, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Woodcock.

January 26th

This morning we visited Reculver and Shuart and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 1 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Mute Swan, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Firecrest, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Kestrels, 3 Goldcrests, 10 Redwings and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

January 25th

On a cold morning we birded inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Water Rail, 10 Yellowhammers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 1 Redwing, 4 Goldfinches, 8 Linnets, 16 Chaffinches, 1 Pied Wagtails, 1 Dartford Warbler and 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan.

January 24th

It was another dull morning with a cold NE wind blowing as we walked from Reculver to the Oyster Farm lagoons and then inland. We saw 180 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Redshank, 8 Snow Buntings on the beach quite near to Reculver, 31 Mallard, 9 Redwing, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Moorhens, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Mute Swans and 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan.

Snow Buntings

January 23rd

On another dull and overcast morning with the tide out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. We recorded 1 female/immature male Black Redstart at the Towers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Little Owl (115th), 510 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 15 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 male Wigeon, 39 Mallard, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Coot, 1 Little Egret, 10 Turnstone and 8 Snow Buntings on the beach near Reculver. On our walk inland we recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Coot, 1 Redshank, 4 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Mute Swans and 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan. 

In addition, Dave Smith saw a Firecrest at Shuart.

January 22nd

It was overcast with a chilly northerly breeze blowing this morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 2 Common Buzzards, 11 Redshank, 335 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 73 Mallard, 23 Carrion Crows, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 3 Goldfinches and 7 Snow Buntings. On the the way home we looked from the cycle track gate near the Roman Galley and found the juvenile Bewick's Swan with 28 Mute Swans.

Carrion Crow

January 21st

It was a lovely sunny winter's morning as we walked at Brooksend and then inland at Reculver. At Brooksend we recorded 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Jays and 6 Goldfinches. Later at Reculver we saw 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jays, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Coot, 5 Mallard, 1 male Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan with 25 Mute Swans. 

East Blean Woods is a couple of miles south of our recording area so on a sunny and calm afternoon we made a visit to add a few woodland species to our year list. In just under an hour we counted 4 Nuthatches, 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Green Woodpecker.

East Blean Woods

January 20th

On another cold and frosty morning, but this time with a fresh west wind blowing, we completed our regular walk up to Coldharbour. We didn't see a great deal, just 189 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Shelduck W, 1 Kestrel, 40 Mallard, 1 male Wigeon, 2 Goldfinches, 29 Carrion Crows, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sanderling and 1 Stonechat. We also saw the juvenile Bewick's Swan in fields near the Roman Galley.

A sunny Reculver Towers

January 19th

We spent a sunny and frosty morning birding in the Reculver area. We saw 315 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Goldfinches, 60 Mallard, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Redshank, 3 Kestrels, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Stonechat, 15 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Coot, 1 Wigeon, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 31 Mute Swans, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan and 70 Stock Doves. 

Herring Gull

This morning Julian Perry walked from Bishopstone to the Oyster Farm and saw 21 Sanderling, 6 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1Kestrel, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Redwings, 1 colour ringed Rock Pipit and 8 Snow Buntings.

Dave Smith had a short walk out onto the Marsh this afternoon and saw 36 Golden Plovers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 5 Tree Sparrows, 8 Corn Buntings and 25 Yellowhammers.

January 18th

On another cold and frosty morning and in bright sunshine we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 290 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers, 8 Snow Buntings, 6 Goldfinches, 42 Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Corn Buntings, 7 Golden Plovers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 55 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 2 Sanderling, 55 Lapwings, 2 Stonechats, 2 Redshank, 2 Turnstone and 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan with 30 Mute Swans.

Snow Bunting

Matt was also out this morning and walked on the Marshes inland from Reculver. He counted 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Goldcrests, 6 Chiffchaffs, 31 Yellowhammers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 1 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 90 Chaffinches, 115 Stock Doves, 1 Kestrel, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan, 30 Mute Swans, 400 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Redwings, 1 Woodcock (113th), 3 Siskins (114th), 6 Long-tailed Tits, Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rails and 7 Grey Partridges.

Juvenile Bewick's Swan - Matt Hindle

January 17th

There was no wind this morning but it was very cold but sunny with a temperature of -3℃ as I arrived at Reculver. I walked up to Coldharbour and back and counted 580 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 female/immature male Black Redstart, 1 Curlew, 3 Goldfinches, 46 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 32 Ringed Plovers, 4 Velvet Scoter drifting down towards Minnis Bay, 1 Snipe, 6 Oystercatchers, 21 Mute Swans and 1 Kestrel.

Dunnock feeding on the beach

As I walked along the seawall I met Dave Smith who had been out from 0730 and had walked to Plumpudding. His highlights were 3 Teal, 4 Velvet Scoter, 40 Common Scoter, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 26 Grey Plovers, 66 Lapwings, 20 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (111th), 2 Dunlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Stonechats and 8 Snow Buntings.

Matt was out for most of the day and walked inland at Reculver to the seawall, up to Minnis Bay and back along the railway embankment. He recorded 11 Redwings, 18 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 23 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 19 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Coot, 10 Yellowhammers, 20 Moorhens, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Kestrels, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Common Buzzards, 4 Stonechats, 30 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black Redstart, 56 Mallard, 8 Snow Buntings, 6 Golden Plovers, 1 Greylag Goose, 60 Common Scoter, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Velvet Scoter, 1 Water Rail, 7 Lapwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 38 Corn Buntings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Tree Sparrows, 33 Mute Swans, 1 Snipe, 80 Stock Doves, 140 Linnets, 1 juvenile Bewick's Swan in field with Mute Swans (112nd), 60 Chaffinches, 30 Reed Buntings, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

This afternoon a walk at Shuart produced 120 Lapwings, 8 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Grey Herons, 150 Stock Doves, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 42 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Mallard.

January 16th

With a cold strong NW wind blowing in rain we spent a couple of hours at Reculver where we counted 5 Kittiwakes, 13 Red-throated Divers, 12 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Razorbill (109th), 1 large auk, 3 Shelduck and 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Martin Tapp heard a Tawny Owl (110th) calling at Shuart this eveningg.

January 15th

Matt was out very early on a bright and breezy morning and walked along the seawall from Reculver where we met him later. We saw 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Golden Plover, 1 female/immature male Black Redstart, 200 Herring Gulls W, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull W (106th), 1 Little Egret, 1 redhead Goosander on the beach before flying W (107th), 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Eider, 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Snow Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 1 colour ringed Rock Pipit (108th), 1 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 15 Ringed Plovers, 12 Mallard, 1 Redwing, 2 Yellowhammers, 4 Coot and 1 Redshank. 

Colour ringed Rock Pipit - Chris Dighton

During the late afternoon Dave Smith saw 2 Short-eared Owls hunting at the Oyster Farm.

January 14th

It was a thoroughly unpleasant day with a gale force SW wind and rain only dying down mid afternoon. Some brave souls were out on the seawall this morning and saw the Black Redstart at the car park and 8 Snow Buntings between Reculver and Coldharbour.

January 13th

On an unpleasantly, blustery morning we walked from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 470 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Stonechats, 36 Mallard, 4 Oystercatchers, 43 Ringed Plovers, 15 Turnstone,  3 Redshank and 1 Greylag Goose flying W past the Towers (105th). We also met Fran Partridge who had already seen the Black Redstart at Reculver.

January 12th

It was very windy and damp this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 2 Moorhens, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Coot, 2 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Chaffinches, 1 female/immature male Black Redstart, 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

January 11th

On a much more pleasant morning with the tide out we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 430 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 female/immature male Black Redstart, 14 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 16 Redshank, 3 Goldfinches, 3 Stonechats, 29 Corn Buntings, 24 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Snow Buntings on the beach by the Green Wall, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 59 Ringed Plovers.

January 10th

We only spent half an hour at Reculver this morning before the wind and rain arrived and recorded 250 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Shelduck flying W.

Januaury 9th

On a sunny winter's morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 5 Great Crested Grebes, 600 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 6 Goldfinches, 54 Mallard, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 7 Snow Buntings, 3 Turnstone, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Red-throated Diver.

January 8th

This morning we walked along the seawall at Reculver and then inland. We saw 460 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 24 Mallard, 2 Turnstone, 17 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Redwing, 2 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mallard and 6 Moorhens.

Matt was also out this morning, before us, and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. He counted 6 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Gannet, 1 Red-throated Diver, 39 Mallard, 17 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shelduck, 4 Eider, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Yellowhammers, 7 Red-legged Partridges and 1 Chiffchaff.

January 7th

There was an increasing southerly wind blowing this morning as we spent an hour and a half at Minnis Bay. We counted 24 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Gannets, 61 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 180 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 large auk, 80 Turnstone, 1 Teal, 40 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Red-throated Diver.

On the way home we visited Shuart where we saw 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Common Chiffchaff, 23 Teal and 1 female Tufted Duck (104th). 

David Elliott was also out today and found 5 Snow Buntings between Reculver and Coldharbour and 1 Short-eared Owl at the Oyster Farm.

Male Snow Bunting - David Elliott

January 6th

At 0045 this morning Julian heard the Long-eared Owl at Bishopstone again (102nd). 

This morning we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and dropped in at Shuart on the way home. Birds we saw included 137 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Pied Wagtails, 90 Sanderling, 124 Dunlin, 21 Carrion Crows, 3 Linnets, 3 Stonechats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 200 Oystercatchers, 14 Redshank, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Grey Plovers, 90 Turnstone, 21 Corn Buntings, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 28 Teal and 1 Little Grebe.

Male Stonechat

Male and female Teal

Dave Smith was also out this morning at Reculver where he recorded 2 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 21 Grey Plovers, 30 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher (103rd), 4 Stonechats and 5 Snow Buntings on the beach.

January 5th

This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour on a pleasant winter's morning. We counted 470 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 female/immature male Black Redstart by the Towers, 1 Kestrel, 26 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 5 Shelduck, 1 Stonechat, 34 Mallard, 3 Goldfinches, 7 Snow Buntings feeding on the beach, 7 Common Scoter flying E, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Eider on the sea off Coldharbour, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Male Snow Bunting

 January 4th

Although it was mild there was still a very brisk south west wind blowing as I walked at Reculver and Shuart this morning. I saw 7 Chaffinches, 4 Moorhens, 13 Long-tailed Tits, 29 Teal, 2 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 Stock Doves, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 42 Mute Swans, 1 Jay, 1 Kestrel and 1 Chiffchaff.

Spring is on the way

January 3rd

On an increasingly breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 1 Gannet diving and catching fish only 100 metres off the Towers, 650 Dark-bellied Brent, 1 adult Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 5 Meadow Pipits, 33 Mallard, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shoveler, 1 White-fronted Goose in off the sea at the Oyster Farm (101st), 2 Stonechats and 2 Ravens on the Towers before flying W.

I spent an hour at a damp and drizzly Minnis Bay this afternoon but only saw 2 Red-throated Divers, 13 Grey Plovers, 20 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 16 Turnstone.

January 2nd

On a much more pleasant morning with virtually no wind I walked inland from Reculver and recorded 7 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Coot, 4 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 17 Teal, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Snipe, 1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Moorhens and 26 Goldfinches. On my way home I dropped in at the car park at Reculver just in time to see 5 Red-throated Divers flying W and 4 Egyptian Geese flying W, almost certainly the same birds that we saw at Brooksend yesterday.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back and recorded 1 Grey Wagtail (93rd), 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Red-throated Divers, 17 Great Crested Grebes, 60 Common Scoter, 4 Stonechats, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 30 Mallard, 4 Shelduck (94th), 4 Eider, 12 Coot, 5 Bearded Tits, 2 Gannet, 44 Lapwings, 60 Ringed Plovers, 1 wintering Sandwich Tern (95th), 50 Grey Plovers, 40 Knot (96th), 70 Oystercatchers, 80 Redshank, 1 Dartford Warbler, 5 Velvet Scoters (97th), 12 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares, 1 Greenfinch (98th ), 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 5 Kestrels, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Teal and 3 Snow Buntings (99th).

Dave Smith was out early at Shuart where he saw 1 Barn Owl (100th), 1 Water Rail, 2 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrests, 1 Mistle Thrush, 8 Song Thrushes, 2 Fieldfares and 1 Stonechat.

At Minnis Bay, Plumpudding and Brooksend his highlights were 6 Shoveler, 36 Common Scoter, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 340 Lapwings, 31 Turnstone, 106 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 6 Red-throated Divers, 2 Gannets, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egrets, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Fieldfare.

Derek Smith covered the whole of the eastern half of the area between 0930 and 1400 and saw 1 Red-throated Diver W, 1 Little Egret, 6 Grey Herons, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 3 Kestrels, 2 Shelduck W, 25 Teal, 200 Lapwings, 90 Sanderling, 1 Water Rail, 28 Stock Doves, 8 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.

January 1st - 92 species seen

As is our custom on January 1st, Matt and I spent the day trying to see as many species in the Reculver Marshes recording area as possible. We arrived at Reculver at 0630 when it was still dark in the hope of hearing owls calling but in the event it was far too windy to hear anything. As it got light we saw or heard 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shoveler, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Mallard, 4 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Teal, 3 Redwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Ravens.

Next we drove to Minnis Bay and Brooksend and recorded 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Gannets, 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 50 Dunlin, 30 Grey Plovers,1 large auk E, 1 Great Northern Diver E, 4 Kittiwakes E, 1 Little Egret and 20 Sanderling. We then had a walk at Brooksend and counted 5 Snipe, 400 Lapwings, 6 Shoveler, 76 Teal, 1 very large adult female Peregrine sitting in a field, 10 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 4 Egyptian Geese, 4 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon and 1 Curlew.

Our next stop was Shuart where we saw 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 3 Mallard and 3 Teal.

In the afternoon, after lunch, we walked from Reculver and behind the Oyster Farm to the Chamber's Wall Crossing and back along a very crowded seawall. Here we counted 5 Cetti's Warblers, 51 Corn Buntings, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Linnet, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Yellowhammers, 1 Tree Sparrow, 40 Common Scoter, 4 Eider, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 7 Ringed Plovers, 17 Redshank, 1 Stonechat and 1 first winter Lesser Black-backed Gull flying W. As we got back to Reculver we were on 85 species for the day but on his way home from Reculver Matt added Green Sandpiper and Green Woodpecker so we ended the day on a very satisfactory 87 species.

Julian Perry birded the Reculver recording region on foot this morning, completing a 22 kilometre circuit that took him from Bishopstone to Reculver, then on to Minnis Bay, Brooksend, Shuart, the Railway Embankment, the Green Wall, the Oyster Farm and back. 

He managed to add five additional species to the day's list: a couple of Grey Partridges heard only whilst still dark, 1 Little Grebe, 22 Golden Plover at Plumpudding, 1 Sparrowhawk in the Oyster Farm, and 1 female/immature Black Redstart at Reculver Towers. This takes today's total to 92 species.