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.