February 3rd

On a lovely sunny morning we visited Reculver and Shuart and at Reculver recorded 1 Jay, 2 Green Sandpipers, 21 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Redshank, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 36 Teal, 11 Gadwall, 31 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 22 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Cetti's Warbler. At Shuart we saw 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Mallard, 7 Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Duck, 27 Teal and 2 Gadwall.

Robin singing

Dave Smith arrived at Shuart at 0700 and spent over three hours walking around the eastern end of the Marsh. He recorded 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 20 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Coot, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Red-throated Diver, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Cattle Egret at Plumpudding, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Firecrest, 21 Redwings, 2 Stonechats, 20 Goldfinches and 4 Corn Buntings.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding between 0800 and 1030. He counted 14 Grey Herons, 46 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese and 3 hybrids, 230 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 18 Coot, 120 Lapwings, 35 Stock Doves, 80 Linnets, 60 Chaffinches, 7 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Stonechats.