October 17th

Matt spent the morning between 0700 and 1135 seawatching at Reculver and we joined him for three hours from 0730. His final totals were: 89 Common Scoter E, 11 Rock Pipits, 788 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 13 Sandwich Terns E, 41 Gannets E, 40 Wigeon W, 15 Kittiwakes E, 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Teal W, 8 Siskins, 28 Little Gulls E, 1 Fieldfare, 5 Red-throated Divers, 8 Skylarks, 6 Razorbills, 1 Shoveler W, 1 Gadwall W, 2 Goldcrests, 106 Starlings, 2 Ravens, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin hunting passerines over the sea, 1 Little Egret and 1 juvenile Pomarine Skua E (187th).

This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to the embankment, Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Golden Plovers, 9 Lapwings, 10 Ringed Plovers, 12 Turnstone, 10 Sanderling, 3 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Little Gulls flying inland, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 24 Skylarks, 6 Chiffchaffs,1 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrests, 7 Song Thrushes, 10 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtails, 28 Chaffinches, 4 Bramblings and 1 Greenfinch.