May 30th

The cool, windy weather continues. This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and only managed to see 7 Linnets, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Whitethroats, 13 Mallard, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Ringed Plovers, 7 Gannets, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Swallow and 5 Skylarks.

Ringed Plover

May 29th

On another bright but very windy morning we visited Reculver and then Shuart. We saw 11 Common Scoter, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Shelduck E, 2 Common Buzzards, 20 Sand Martins, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Tufted Ducks, 6 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Work progressing on the Towers - Anne Hindle

May 28th

This morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 3 Pied Wagtails, 23 Sand Martins, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Goldfinches, 1 male Marsh Harrrier, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Coot, 1 Greylag Goose, 11 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Green Woodpecker. On the sea there was big flock of Herring Gulls and 12 Gannets feeding distantly on a shoal of fish whilst 1 adult Kittiwake flew E.

Mute Swan family

May 27th

On a quiet morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Little Egrets, 9 Mallard, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 4 Linnets.

Cormorant

May 26th

We had an away day today when we visited a blustery Ashdown Forest in Sussex and recorded Woodlarks, Common Redstarts, Tree Pipits and Dartford Warbler.

Woodlark - Matt Hindle

Ashdown Forest

 

May 25th

On a sunny and breezy morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment whilst we walked to Coldharbour and returned to Reculver with him. Between us we saw 11 Chiffchaffs, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 8 Greylag Geese, 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 singing Corn Buntings, 13 Stonechats, 40 Sand Martins, 1 Blackcap, 1 Fulmar, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Swallows W, 26 Mallard, 1 Turnstone, 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull E, 3 Lapwings + 2 young, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Swift, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzards, 1 Common Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Tern, 16 Red Kites flying W, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Kestrel. We also saw 1 Four-spotted Chaser, Azure Damselflies, 5 Wall Browns, 2 Small Heaths and 1 Painted Lady.

A male Stonechat from one of six pairs breeding on the Marsh

Getting higher!

Four-spotted Chaser - Matt Hindle

Wall Brown - Matt Hindle

May 24th

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Jays, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Whitethroats, 36 Sand Martins, 4 Common Buzzards, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Tern, 2 Grey Partrdges, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Corn Bunting, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Ravens, 4 Stonechats, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Coot, 11 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 2 Swallows, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrels, 2 Cuckoos, 3 House Martins W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Red Kites flying W.

Birds ringed 13: Chiffchaff 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 2, Great Tit 2, Whitethroat 3, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 1, Goldfinch 2.

May 23rd

With a continuing northerly wind blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 4 Whitethroats, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Mallard, 2 Coot, 2 Swifts W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and 2 Tufted Ducks.

Matt was also out earlier and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He counted 7 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchafffs, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cuckoo, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 9 Greylag Geese, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Corn Bunting and 10 Stonechats including 3 males, 1 male with 1 young and 1 male with 4 young. He also recorded 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 3 Swifts, 1 Gannet, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 House Martins, 4 Lapwings, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tit and family, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Whinchat (160th).

Whinchat - Matt Hindle

May 22nd

Dave Smith was out early and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. His highlights included 8 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 9 Swifts, 9 Oystercatchers, 7 Lapwings, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Common Terns, 1 Fulamr, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Spoonbill flying W (159th), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Stonechat.

May 21st

On another sunny but very breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where the tide was a long way out. We didn't see a great deal, just 8 Skylarks, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whitethroats, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Swallows, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lapwing, 2 Shelduck, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Tern and 1 Kestrel.

Goldfinches collecting nesting material

May 20th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and Matt walked in from Reculver. We recorded 7 Skylarks, 5 Swallows, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtails. 5 Little Egrets, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 2 Sand Martins, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Stonechats, 1 adult Kittiwake flying E and 9 Gannets flying W.

May 19th

We spent a quiet morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Swallows, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Mallard, 1 Swift W and 2 Grey Herons.

Birds ringed 13: Chiffchaff 3, Wren 1, Blackcap 4, Whitethroat 1, Chaffinch 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

This afternoon we walked at Reculver and saw 2 Shelduck, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 6 Mallard, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo.1 Common Buzzard and 1 Red-legged Partridge.

May 18th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 5 Tufted Duck, 13 Linnets, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Swallows, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Lapwings including 2 chicks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plovers and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Dave Smith was also out from 0520 walking from Shuart to Plumpudding and the embankment and counting 2 Greylag Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Partridge, 4 Red-legged Partrdiges, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwings, 1 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stonechats and 4 Yellow Wagtails.

May 17th

We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh inland from the railway and saw 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 House Martins W, 1 Common Tern, 3 Mallard, 4 Swallows W, 1 Peregrine, 2 Oystecatchers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Whitethroats, 8 Sedge Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Red Kite W and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 19: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 2, Whitethroat 5, Sedge Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 3, Linnet 3, Dunnock 1.

There were Red Kites moving again today and at about midday 2 flew W at Bishopstone and Marc Heath had 5 flying W at Hillborough.

 May 16th

It was bright and sunny this morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. We counted 4 Whitethroats, 45 Swallows W, 5 Sand Martins, 1 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Linnets, 1 Raven, 1 Stonechat, 2 House Martins W, 2 Kestrels, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Shelduck.

Male Stonechat

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and along the railway embankment. He saw 1 Bullfinch (158th), 6 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 74 Sand Martins, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck, 2 Swifts W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Swallows W, 5 Stonechats, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Common Terns, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 4 House Martins W, 3 Grey Plovers, 3 Lapwings, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Red Kites and 1 Cuckoo.

Between 1130 and 1200, 1 Common Buzzard and 4 Red Kites flew W at Bishopstone and later at Reculver another Red Kite flew W.

May 15th

On a windy and sometimes damp morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He recorded 3 Gannets, 1 Sandwich Tern, 50 Swallows W, 20 House Martins W, 5 Swifts, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 23 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

After this we walked inland from Reculver and saw 2 Shelduck, 2 Gannets W, 9 Swallows W, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Blackcap, 9 Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Kestrel.

May 14th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 12 Reed Warblers, 6 Skylarks, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Tufted Ducks, 8 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 11 Swallows W, 1 Swift W, 1 immature male Eider on the sea off Coldharbour, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Turtle Doves and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Oystercatcher

Derek Smith was out for three hours from 0630  and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back along the embankment. He saw 4 Little Egrets, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 immature male Eider of Coldharbour, 4 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Common Terns, 5 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Lapwings, 3 Grey Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, 30 Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 35 Swallows W.

This evening we walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 2 Blackcaps, 9 Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Tern, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shelduck and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

May 13th

It  was still cool and windy this morning so we walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 14 drake Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Shelduck, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 9 Sand Martins, 4 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Common Buzzards.

During the last week there has been a start to major renovation work on Reculver Towers. Talking to the workmen they expect the work to continue until about October.

Renovation work at the Towers

May 12th

On an unpleasant morning with a chilly NE wind blowing in rain we spent an hour at Reculver but did not see very much, just 8 Gannets flying E, 1 Fulmar, 7 Oystercatchers and 1 Kestrel.

May 11th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back and saw 4 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 9 Reed Warblers, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Lapwing, 1 Hooded Crow flying W with 3 Carrion Crows (157th), 2 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 3 Swallows, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Common Terns, 1 Curlew E and 1 Turtle Dove.

Singing Whitethroat

May 10th

This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 24 Swallows W, 1 very late Dark-bellied Brent Goose E, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Yellow Wagtails W, 12 Linnets, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Stonechats, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Kestrels, 4 Goldfinches and 2 Shelduck.

Female Kestrel

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Netherhale and on to Brooksend. He saw 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 26 Swallows W, 7 Grey Herons (3 nests 2 with 2 young), 4 Little Egrets, 9 Swifts, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Greylag Geese, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Greenfinches, 6 Corn Buntings, 7 Cetti's Warblers. 3 House Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Stonechat, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Lapwings.

May 9th

After overnight rain it was overcast this morning as Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and we walked in from Chamber's Wall and met him at Codlharbour before we all walked back to Reculver. Between us we saw 15 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Tufted Duck, 34 Swallows W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Shelduck, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Stonechats, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Common Terns, 5 Little Egrets, 1 second calendar year Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Dunlin, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Grey Herons, 10 Greylag Geese, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Swifts W, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Greenfinches and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Male Yellow Wagtail - Matt Hindle

May 8th

We had our first ringing session of the year this morning at Reculver where the undoubted highlight was ringing a male Ring Ouzel, our first for eighteen years. Other birds we saw during the morning were 2 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Tufted Duck, 15 Sand Martins, 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Mallard, 1 Jay, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Little Egrets W, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 6 Swallows, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Mediterranean Gulls. We also saw a Hairy Dragonfly.

Birds ringed 20: Long-tailed Tit 3, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap 7, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 1, Song Thrush 4, Ring Ouzel 1, Sparrowhawk 1.

Male Ring Ouzel

Second calendar year male Sparrowhawk

Dave Smith birdwatched for three hours on the Marsh this morning and his highlights included 6 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Stock Doves, 18 Swifts W, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Sand Martins, 28 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Corn Bunting. He also saw a Red Kite flying W at Shuart during the afternoon.

May 7th

On a dull, overcast morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. We met him on the seawall and between us we counted 7 Blackcaps, 11 Tufted Ducks, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 5 Shelduck, 1 Little Owl, 5 Yellow Wagtails W, 33 Swallows W, 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Stonechats, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Swifts W, 2 Cuckoos, 7 Grey Herons, 5 Common Terns, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Redshank, 1 Wheatear, 2 Greylag Geese with 6 young, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Turtle Doves, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Short-eared Owl in the Oyster Farm and 1 female/immature male Golden Oriole in bushes beside the River Wantsum.

Male Linnet - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith was out at 0520 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He recorded 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-legged Partrdges, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings, 3 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 alba Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Swallows W, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Stonechats and 5 Yellow Wagtails.

Derek Smith was also out and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back to Chamber's Wall and the railway embankment. He recorded 4 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Gannet E, 6 Tufted Ducks, 12 Little Egrets, 9 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel SW, 2 Curlew SW, 1 Cuckoo, 22 Yellow Wagtails W, 64 Swallows W, 2 Stonechats and 8 singing Corn Buntings.

This afternoon we walked at Reculver and saw 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Greylag Geese, 8 male Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 10 Sand Martins and 1 Cetti's Warbler

May 6th

This morning we walked at Chamber's Wall and Reculver and saw 10 Reed Warblers, 1 Swallow, 13 Whitethroats, 11 Sedge Warblers, 5 Skylarks, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Linnets, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers. 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Common Tern, 1 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Partridge, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Sand Martins,

Distant singing Turtle Dove beside the Wantsum

May 5th

We arrived at Reculver this morning just after a very heavy shower had moved north east out to sea. We hoped that this shower may have grounded a migrant or two and we weren't disappointed because as we walked along the seawall towards Coldharbour and approached the Green Wall a passing cyclist disturbed a female/immature male Golden Oriole from the bushes beside the wall (156th). It flew powerfully away and high a kept going high towards Shuart until it was lost to view. 

Other birds we saw included 12 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 6 Stonechats, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 4 Reed Warblers, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Greenshank, 22 Ringed Plovers W, 8 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 7 Common Terns, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Shelduck and 1 Cuckoo.

Cuckoo

Common Tern

A Red Kite flew W at Bishopstone at 1130.

May 4th

On a warmer but still breezy morning we walked at Chamber's Wall and Reculver. At Chamber's Wall we counted 10 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Skylarks, 1 Greenshank, 1 Lapwing, 9 Linnets, 7 Mallard, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Snipe, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Common Sandpiper beside the Wantsum, 9 Sedge Warblers, 3 Swallows, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Cuckoo.

At Reculver we saw 6 Whitethroats, 7 Mallard, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swift E and 1 Gannet flying E at sea.

Male Shelduck

May 3rd

With similar weather to yesterday we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 15 Whitethroats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Goldfinches, 7 Reed Warblers, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Sedge Warblers, 3 Shelduck, 4 Common Terns, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Stonechat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 "purring" Turtle Dove and 1 Common Buzzard.

Dave Smith was out early and walked from Shuart to Minnis Bay and Plumpudding and his highlights were 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Lapwings, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Bearded Tit, 5 Swallows, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 6 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 4 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Oystercatchers, 12 Mallard, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Reed Warblers and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

May 2nd

There was a chilly north-easterly breeze blowing this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 8 Swallows W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Gannet E, 7 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 1Whimbrel, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Ringed Plovers, 56 Sanderling, 8 Turnstone, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Common Terns, 1 Fulmar, 1 second year Common Gull E and 4 Sedge Warblers.

Sanderling

May 1st

It was another warm and sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 10 Whitethroats, 12 Reed Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Linnets, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lapwing, 16 Goldfinches, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 7 Swallows W, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Oystercatchers, 17 Sedge Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Sand Martins and 1 immature male Marsh Harrier.

Sedge Warbler

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw 3 Blackcaps, 22 Swallows W, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Wheatears, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 21 Yellow Wagtails W, 2 Stonechats, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Shelduck, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Common Terns, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Sand Martins W, 1 Swift W, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Lapwings, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Mediterrnanean Gulls and 1 Raven.

Dave Smith was out at Shuart at 0515 and walked to Plumpudding and Minnis Bay. His highlights included 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Terns, 1 Fulmar, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sand Martins, 19 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 female Ring Ouzel, 4 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Corn Bunting.