September 4th

We spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. Matt arrived before us and had put the mist nets up by the time we arrived and had already caught the bird of the morning a first year Barred Warbler (176th), a new species for our ringing group.

First year Barred Warbler

 Other birds we saw during an enjoyable morning included 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Tree Pipits flying W, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Willow Warbler, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 51: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 17, Sedge Warbler 5, Robin 3, Blue Tit 3, Spotted Flycatcher 2, Blackcap 6, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Great Tit 1, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 3, Barred Warbler 1, House Sparrow 1.

Dave Smith was out in the Reculver area between 0615 and 0900 and recorded 6 Mute Swans, 8 Black-tailed Godwits flying E, 2 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 calling Spotted Redshank, 7 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat and 7 Yellow Wagtails.

After lunch Matt walked from Reculver to Bishopstone and inland. He recorded 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Teal, 64 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 200 Rooks, 60 Jackdaws, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Whinchats, 10 Grey Partridges, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.  

Spotted Flycatcher - Matt Hindle