January 31st

The last day of the month was overcast and calm as we walked from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. We saw 410 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Mute Swans, 18 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechats, 6 Redshank, 6+ Bearded Tits, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 45 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Turnstone, 6 Reed Buntings and 1 Grey Heron.

Working on the beach at Reculver

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and counted 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 8 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 26 Teal. 1 Great Crested Grebe, 26 Coot, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank and 3 Little Grebes.

January 30th

This morning Anne and I visited Netherhale and Shuart. At Netherhale we saw 30 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Buzzards, 17 Chaffinches, 1 Cattle Egret, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Raven and 1 Kestrel. At Shuart we counted 26 Goldfinches, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 6 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 42 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 adult male Peregrine and 1 Common Buzzard.

Spring is on the way

January 29th

On an overcast morning with the tide out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 834 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 18 Oystercatchers, 19 Redshank, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 14 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Shelduck, 2 Lapwings, 26 Carrion Crows, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Pied Wagtail.

January 28th

On another bright morning we walked inland at Reculver and out onto the Marsh north and south of the railway. We counted 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Coot, 22 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 30 Mallard, 1 Snipe, 2 Stonechats, 1 Raven, 2 Grey Partridges, 270 Lapwings, 1 male Yellowhammer, 120 Stock Doves, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Siskin W and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

On his way home Matt looked at Minnis Bay where he saw 60 Red-throated Divers, 20 Great Crested Grebe and 7 Pintail flying E.

January 27th

It was a beautiful, cold winter's morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Egyptian Goose eventually flying N out to sea (122nd), 16 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 16 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 5 Greylag Geese flying W, 1 Turnstone and 1 Pied Wagtail. As we approached Reculver on our walk back we had a call from Matt to say he was watching a flock of 118 Russian White-fronted Geese flying WNW out at sea near Coldharbour (123rd). We eventually picked them up flying distantly over the wind farm off Reculver.

Russian White-fronted Geese - Matt Hindle

 

Male Stonechat

As mentioned above Matt was also out this morning and covered the eastern half of the recording area. He saw 150 Linnets, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 29 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, 12 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Jay, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Siskins, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Cattle Egret, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Yellowhammers, 35 Reed Buntings, 5 Stonechats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 100 Fieldfares, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 24 Redwings, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 118 Russian White-fronted Geese flying W, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 190 Lapwings, 5 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon and 2 Teal.

 January 26th

Today Julian Perry has a male Blackcap singing in the olive tree in his garden at Bishopstone.

January 25th

We didn't get out until after lunch today and visited Netherhale where we saw 112 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag Geese, 4 hybrid Canada x Greylags, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Goldfinches, 30 Chaffinches, 1 Cattle Egret, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Kestrel.

Cattle Egret

 January 24th

There was a strong westerly wind blowing this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and counted 2 Green Woodpeckers, 42 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 50 Mallard, 130 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Cetti's Warbler. Half an hour spent seawatching only produced 1 Shelduck W, 280 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 55 Cormorants.

January 23rd

On an overcast morning we walked at Netherhale and Shuart where we recorded 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Canada Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Jays, 1 Cattle Egret in the horse field, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 24 Teal and 10 Goldfinches.

Matt had a walk inland at Reculver and saw 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 137 Teal, 41 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 20 Coot, 30 Mallard, 5 Snipe, 28 Meadow Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Siskin. On the sea he saw 25 Red-throated Divers and 1 Canada Goose.

January 22nd

With Storm Isha having cleared through overnight this morning was was bright and breezy as we walked inland at Reculver. We saw 1 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 55 Mallard, 80 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 36 Gadwall, 16 Coot, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Great Crested Grebe. A brief look at the Towers produced 19 Red-throated Divers mainly flying E.

January 21st

With a strong SW wind blowing, an hour at Reculver produced 310 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 41 Red-throated Divers E, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 80 Common Scoter and 12 Ringed Plovers.

Marc Heath saw 2 Cattle Egrets at Netherhale this morning.

Cattle Egret - Marc Heath

January 20th

It was a bit milder this morning although there was still frost on the ground as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 3 Kestrels, 124 Redwings, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 14 Fieldfares, 1 Jack Snipe (119th), 5 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 40 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 28 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatchers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Derek Smith walked at Shuart and Plumpudding between 1100 and 1300 this morning and saw 2 Shelduck, 10 Golden Plovers, 2 Snipe, 9 Lapwings, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier (120th), 30 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings, 16 Skylarks and 2 Bearded Tits.

Hen Harrier - Derek Smith

 There has also been a recent report of a Long-eared Owl on the Marsh (121st).

January 19th

On another sunny but freezing morning we walked at various sites inland from Reculver and counted 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Firecrest, 1 Snipe, 19 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 90 Teal, 20 Gadwall, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 21 Coot, 61 Mallard, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaffs, 145 Stock Doves, 3 Yellowhammers, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Reed Buntings and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Later at Netherhale there were 35 Tufted Duck, 2 Canada Geese with 4 hybrids, 10 Greylag Geese and 1 Black Redstart.

This afternoon Peter Carr saw the Grenham Bay Black Brant with the Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Reculver.

January 18th

On a bitterly cold but sunny morning we walked at Brooksend and Netherhale and saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Grey Herons, 15 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Canada Goose, 4 hybrid Canada x Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 34 Tufted Duck, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Lapwings and 1 Cattle Egret in the sheep field.

Cattle Egret

Matt was out at Reculver this morning and recorded 1 Grey Wagtail, 39 Teal, 19 Tufted Duck, 21 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 22 Coot, 6 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechats, 30 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Redwing, 15 Song Thrushes, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Jay and 1 Firecrest.

January 17th

It was overcast and calm but freezing this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and counted 3 Little Egrets, 44 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 16 Coot, 52 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 16 Tufted Ducks, 1 Redshank, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Green Woodpecker.  

An hour spent at Minnis Bay this afternoon produced 50 Grey Plovers, 14 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 21 Oystercatchers, 14 Red-throated Divers, 25 Great Crested Grebes, 125 Dunlin, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Sanderling, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 25 Common Gulls, 250 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Shelduck,

January 16th

On a freezing but sunny morning Matt walked inland at Reculver and then up to Coldharbour. He saw 9 Redwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 2 Siskins (118th), 69 Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 92 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 22 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Song Thrushes, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harriers, 120 Linnets, 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 29 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shoveler, 22 Golden Plovers, 5 Bearded Tits, 1 Kestrel, 45 Chaffinches, 2 Mistle Thrushes and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Bearded Tits - Matt Hindle

January 15th

Matt spent an hour at the Towers this morning and counted 34 Red-throated Divers, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Velvet Scoter (117th), 2 Eiders, 1 Common Scoter and 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

January 14th

On an overcast and cold morning Matt walked inland at Reculver and saw 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 52 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 11 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 27 Coot, 45 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Yellowhammers (114th), 140 Stock Doves, 1 Lesser Redpoll (115th), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 11 Redwings and 1 Grey Wagtail. He then visited Shuart where he saw 1 Woodcock (116th) and 1 Jay.

January 13th

It was even colder this morning and there was little to see as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. With the tide out, but starting to come in, all we counted were 616 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Curlew, 1 Golden Plover, 17 Oystercatchers, 9 Redshank, 58 Carrion Crows, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck and 1 Stonechat. Things improved significantly as we reached Reculver when we received a call from Matt to say Derek Smith had found a Cattle Egret (110th) in the horse paddocks at Netherhale. Luckily it was still there when we arrived, sitting in a tree. 

Cattle Egret - Matt Hindle

 

Cattle Egret

Matt walked from Netherhale to Shuart, Plumpudding and Brooksend and saw 1 Firecrest, 50 Chaffinches, the Cattle Egret found by Derek, 1 Little Owl (111th), 1 Mistle Thrusk, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Common Buzzards, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 34 Corn Buntings, 150 Linnets, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Shelduck, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 70 Sanderling, 30 Redshank, 9 Grey Herons, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Shoveler (112th), 25 Coot, 28 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall, 7 Golden Plover, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Canada Goose with 4 hybrids and 1 female/immature male Black Redstart (113th).

Black Redstart - Matt Hindle

Derek Smith was out between 0800 and 1300 walking from Shuart to Brooksend, Plumpudding and Minnis Bay. He recorded 23 Red-throated Divers W, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Gannet, 1 Cattle Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 28 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 60 Redshank, 130 Sanderling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 25 Coot, 7 Golden Plover, 36 Rooks, 1 Little Owl, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Stock Doves, 7 Fieldfares W, 23 Redwings, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 40 Chaffinches, 90 Linnets, 1 Firecrest and 7 Corn Buntings.

January 12th 

On an overcast, cold and drizzly morning we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Ravens, 24 Coot, 17 Teal, 62 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Wigeon, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail and 120 Chaffinches. We then visited Shuart where we saw 1 Redwing, 1 Firecrest, 14 Goldfinches, 215 Linnets, 15 Chaffinches, 1 Jay and 1 Grey Heron.

January 11th

It was a another bright and icy morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Meadow Pipits 2 Lapwings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 62 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 22 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 52 Golden Plovers, 46 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshnak, 2 adult Kittiwakes, 421 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 51 Oystercatchers, 8 Grey Plovers, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Teal and 2 Chaffinches.

Julian Perry had a male Blackcap feeding in the olive tree in his garden at Bishopstone (109th).

January 10th

On another morning with a bitter east wind blowing we walked up to Coldharbour and back. We counted 462 Dark-bellied Bren Geese, 7 Redshank, 60 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Kittiwakes flying E, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 6 Teal, 145 Carrion Crows, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull flying E, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Stonechats, 7 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 36 Red-throated Divers flying E, 1 Greylag Goose, 16 Ringed Plovers and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

January 9th

On an icy but sunny morning with a biting easterly wind blowing Anne and I walked out onto the Marsh and then had an hour's seawatch at Reculver. On the Marsh there were only 3 Mute Swans and no Bewick's but other birds we saw included 14 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 75 Linnets, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail and 7 Lapwings flying E (108th). At Reculver we counted 166 Red-throated Divers flying E, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull E, 17 Common Gulls, 8 Dunlin, 4 Great Crested Grebes E, 2 Ringed Plovers and 1 adult Little Gull flying E close inshore.

Matt was out birding after us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He saw 60 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Stonechats, 2 Shelduck, 1 adult Little Gull E, 3 Snipe, 500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 40 Redshank, 26 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Grey Plovers, 110 Sanderling, 45 Ringed Plovers, 120 Dunlin, 160 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapwing, 2 Grey Partridges, 100 Golden Plovers and 80 Carrion Crows.

The 9 Bewick's Swans were back in their usual field this afternoon.

January 8th

With a strong easterly wind blowing in wintry showers this morning we spent two hours seawatching at Reculver with most birds flying east. We recorded 950 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 794 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 adult Kittiwake, 92 Red-throated Divers, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Razorbills, 30 Common Scoter, 1 adult Little Gull, 3 large auks, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Guillemots and 1 Gannet.

January 7th

This morning there was a fresh and cold northerly wind blowing in regular showers as Matt spent two hours seawatching at Reculver. He counted 46 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Great Crested Grebe E, 1 immature male Eider E (105th), 6 Wigeon W, 18 Kittiwakes E, 491 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 39 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet W, 1 large auk, 1 Guillemot E, 1 Razorbill E, 1 first winter Caspian Gull E (106th) and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E.

Derek Smith had a seawatch at Minnis Bay from 0800 to 1030 with most birds he saw flying east. He recorded 32 Red-throated Divers, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Common Scoter, 1 female Goldeneye flying W (107th), 2 Gannets, 58 Kittiwakes, 32 large auks, 2 Guillemots, 12 Curlew and 3 Grey Plovers.

January 6th

It was windy and cold this morning as we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon. We counted 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 154 Sanderling, 17 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 24 Dunlin, 82 Oystercatchers, 35 Mallard, 1 male Wigeon, 19 Curlew, 56 Redshank and 4 Meadow Pipits.

Dave Smith was also out on the Marsh this morning for over four  hours. He counted 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Bewick's Swans, 2 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Plover, 125 Golden Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Fulmar E (104th), 20 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Song Thrushes, 17 Redwings, 20 Fieldfares, 4 Stonechats and 2 Corn Buntings.

January 5th

There was a gale force north-westerly wind blowing and rain as we arrived at Reculver at 0800 for eighty minute seawatch. There was not a great deal moving but we did see 166 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 male Stonechat on the car park rocks, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser flying W close inshore (99th) and 5 Pintail flying W (100th).

This morning Matt began with a seawatch at Minnis Bay where he recorded 15 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 adult Little Gulls flying W (101st), 6 Pintail flying W, 1 Snow Bunting flying W over the sea (102nd) and 1 Kittiwake. Next he visited Netherhale and Brooksend and recorded 1 Mistle Thrush, 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Canada Goose (103rd) with 4 hybrids, 1 Goldcrest, 20 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Firecrest. Finally at Reculver he counted 22 Coot, 65  Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail.

January 4th

On a bright sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 2 Kestrels, 19 Chaffinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Fieldfares, 35 Redwings, 100 Carrion Crows, 133 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Magpies, 3 Grey Partridges (96th), 1 Skylark, 7 Mallard, 9 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 11 Linnets, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Song Thrushes and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Redwing

Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and his highlights included 9 Bewick's Swans, 7 adults and 2 juveniles, 3 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher (97th), 4 Golden Plovers (98th), 10 Redwings, 1 Water Rail, 20 Skylarks, 2 Red-throated Divers and 3 Great Crested Grebes.

January 3rd

On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 8 Bewick's Swans, 346 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Redshank, 13 Mute Swans, 30 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Oystercatchers, 90 Carrion Crows, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Little Grebes, 9 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats, 4 Ringed Plovers, 24 Linnets and 2 Sanderling.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and recorded 10 Fieldfares, 6 Stonechats, 26 Corn Buntings, 1 Rock Pipit (94th), 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Snipe (95th), 1 Wigeon, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Kestrel, 2 Redwings, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.

Snipe - Matt Hindle

January 2nd

This morning we spent an hour at a very wet Reculver and saw 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Razorbill flying W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flying W (93rd), 1 Shelduck and 1 Red-throated Diver.

 January 1st

As usual on January 1st we spent the day trying to record as many species as possible in the Reculver Marshes Recording Area. Matt and I started at Reculver in the dark and after an hour's birding we went our separate ways meeting after lunch at Minnis Bay for a seawatch. Our highlights included 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests, 8 Bewick's Swans, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Bearded Tits, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 Wigeon and 1 Great Skua. We ended the day with 85 species recorded.

Derek Smith was also out today and counted 71 species including seven species we didn't see and taking the grand total for the day to 92 species. He walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding returning via Coldharbour and the railway embankment. His highlights included Sparrowhawk, 10 Grey Herons, 42 Stock Doves, 8 Little Egrets, Greylag Geese (86th), 40+ Corn Buntings, 2 Marsh Harriers, Greenfinch (87th), 1 Merlin at Brooksend (88th), Chiffchaff, 33 Tufted Duck, Grey Plover (89th), Ringed Plover (90th), Dunlin (91st) ,1 Peregrine, 8 Bewick's Swans and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits flying W (92nd).