April 16th

We left our house at Bishopstone in bright sunshine but by the time we got to the Marsh there was fog that lasted until about 0915. We walked from Chamber's Wall up to the crossing where we met Matt who had already walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and then we all walked back to Reculver before Anne and I walked inland. Despite the fog, between us, we managed to accumulate 7 Blackcaps, 26 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Shelduck, 1 Little Owl, 13 Tufted Duck, 32 Sedge Warblers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Redpoll flying W (139th), 2 Grey Herons, 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Little Egret, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Reed Warblers, 16 Linnets, 5 Skylarks, 9 Mallard, 1 Greylag Goose, 5 Swallows, 2 Stonechats, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Derek Smith was also out and from 0600 and covered most of the eastern part of the Marsh walking from Shuart along the embankment and on to Coldharbour and Brooksend. He counted 2 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 19 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 14 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 32 Chiffchaffs and 3 singing Corn Buntings.