April 17th

Dave Smith was out at 0530 this morning and completed his regular walk from Shuart to Plumpudding. Birds he saw included 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 2 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Sandpiper at the Plumpudding outfall (140th), 1 Greenshank (141st), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 24 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Swallows, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Meadow Pipits and 1 Corn Bunting.

We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 13 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Skylarks, 18 Linnets, 4 Reed Warbles, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Swallow, 14 Goldfinches, 10 Sedge Warblers, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Whimbrel flying off the beach at Coldharbour (142nd), 23 Black-headed Gulls E and 3 Common Terns flying out to sea at the Wantsum (143rd).