March 31st
March ended with an overcast morning and a raw easterly wind blowing as we walked at various sites in Reculver. We recorded 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Redshank, 20 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 8 Coot, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on the rocks at Reculver, 3 Gannets flying W and 1 Little Egrets.
 |
| Greylag Goose |
March 30th
At last the wind had dropped and in calm, cloudy conditions we walked out on to the Marsh. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 34 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted and 2 Green Woodpeckers, 19 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Gadwall, 1 Willow Warbler singing and 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E calling.
 |
| Male and female Gadwall |
Derek Smith was also out this morning at the other end of the Marsh and walked from Shuart along the embankment to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose flying E, 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Merlin at Shuart, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 34 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler (138th) and 18 Chiffchaffs.
March 29th
Following the overnight gale this morning was still unpleasantly windy as we walked along the seawall at Reculver. We only recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Linnets, 8 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plovers, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Skylarks.
 |
| A pair of Mallard looking for a nest site |
March 28th
There was a strong south west wind blowing this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and then spent an hour looking at the sea. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Coot, 1 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver and 2 Little Egrets.
March 27th
After heavy overnight showers this morning dawned bright and windy as Matt walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and the sea wall where he met us. Between us we saw 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Jay, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Redpoll W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Lapwings, 2 Siskins W, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Corn Bunting, 7 Redshank and 1 Merlin.
 |
| Corn Bunting |
 |
| Distant Short-eared Owl perched on bush |
March 26th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Shelduck, 8 Linnets, 10 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Corn Buntings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 23 Turnstone, 2 Coot, 2 Curlew, 1 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 6 Skylarks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Short-eared Owl hunting in the Oyster Farm.
 |
| Grey Heron |
 |
| Adult Great Black-backed Gull |
March 25th
There was a chilly south-easterly wind blowing this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mallard, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 49 Turnstone, 3 Shelduck, 2 Coot, 1 Sanderling and 1 Kestrel.
 |
| Turnstone |
Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and counted 15 Chiffchaffs, 24 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 70 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 5 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Snipe, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Siskin, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Magpies E, 10 Lapwings, 1 Blackcap singing along the embankment, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Marsh Harriers and 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Derek Smith was also out and walked from Shuart, along the railway embankment and on to Coldharbour and as far as Brooksend. He saw 2 Canada Geese E, 1 Greylag Goose E, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Cattle Egret still at Netherhale, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 13 Lapwings, 2 Curlew, 1 Blackcap singing along the embankment, 1 Siskin S and 2 Corn Buntings.
March 24th
On an even cooler and windier morning than yesterday we walked at Reculver and saw 1 Swallow flying W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 11 Tufted Duck, 14 Cormorants, 14 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Gadwall, 4 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Skylarks, 1 Kestrel and 1 Common Buzzard.
 |
| Cormorant |
March 23rd
Although the sun was shining brightly this morning there was a very chilly westerly wind blowing as we walked around the Reculver area. We counted 12 Tufted Ducks, 12 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Gadwall, 6 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warblers singing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Raven, 3 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 5 Great Black-backed Gull.
Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw an good range of species including 1 Goldcrest, 190 Meadow Pipits W, 19 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Stonechats, 8 Shelduck, 1 female Merlin, 18 Goldfinches W, 6 Little Egrets, 5 alba Wagtails W, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Curlew, 11 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Bearded Tit, 49 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Sand Martins W, 2 Mandarin (1male and 1 female), 10 Lapwings, 5 Coot, 1 Willow Warbler (137th), 1 Greylag Goose, 7 Siskins W, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Sanderling.
The Willow Warblers we saw today are the earliest ever seen at Reculver, three days earlier than the previous record of one on 26th March 1989.
 |
| Grey Seal pup - Matt Hindle |
March 22nd
It was dull, cool and overcast with a fresh westerly breeze blowing as we walked along the seawall this morning but there was a small arrival of summer migrants. We recorded 4 Goldfinches, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 23 Linnets, 3 Redshank, 3 Swallows flying W (134th), 2 Little Egrets, 32 Cormorants, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Mallard, 25 Meadow Pipits mostly flying W, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Wheatears (135th), 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sand Martins flying W (136th), 1 Little Grebe and 1 Jay.
 |
| Wheatears |
 |
| Singing Corn Bunting and Wheatear |
March 21st
On a quiet morning we walked around at Reculver and recorded 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Coot, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Linnets, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
 |
| Female Starling |
March 20th
On a very calm morning with the tide in we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 5 Skylarks, 5 Redshank, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Meadow Pipits, 30 Linnets, 42 Corn Buntings, 4 singing Chiffchaffs, 13 Oystercatchers, 9 Magpies, 15 Turnstone, 1+ Bearded Tits, 3 Golden Plovers, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 9 Curlew, 7 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck and 1 Little Grebe.
 |
| Little Egrets |
Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back by way of Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Firecrest, 10 Chiffchaffs, 26 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Stonechat, 1 Siskin, 4 Gadwall, 16 Lapwings, 29 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, 2 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Little Egrets, 15 Curlew, 8 Canada Geese, 91 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jay and 6 Tufted Duck. He also saw a Holly Blue and Dark-edged Bee-fly.
March 19th
Sunny March mornings can promise more than they deliver and this morning was like that as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Skylarks, 28 Linnets, 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 7 Meadow Pipits, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 8 Goldfinches W, 9 Curlew, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Chaffinches and 2 Common Buzzards.
March 18th
On another mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 6 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 75 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Linnets, 10 Skylarks, 11 Meadow Pipits, 19 Corn Buntings, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit, 44 Carrion Crows, 28 Oystercatchers, 4 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Stonechat and 3 Turnstone.
 |
| Meadow Pipit |
Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 18 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 32 Cetti's Warblers, 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Shelduck, 10 Stonechats, 7 Ringed Plovers, 28 Turnstone, 15 Corn Buntings, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Greylag Geese, 7 Bearded Tits, 30 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Siskin W, 17 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 12 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Brambling W (133rd), 14 Lapwings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Gadwall, 1 Yellowhammer and 2 Marsh Harriers.
March 17th
It was a drizzly morning as we walked around the Reculver area and saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Song Thrush, 11 Cormorants, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Skylarks, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail and 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
March 16th
It was a glorious early spring morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm. We recorded 5 Mallard, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Greylag Geese, 1 Corn Buntings, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Lapwings, 11 Skylarks, 9 Reed Buntings, 8 Chaffinches, 17 Linnets, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 pair of Bearded Tits feeding beside the Wantsum, 15 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 78 Carrion Crows, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W and calling loudly (132nd), 120 Starlings, 1 Stonechat, 1 Raven, 10 Meadow Pipits and 2 Shelduck.
 |
| Male Stonechat |
Derek Smith was out between 0730 and 1215 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back via Plumpudding and Brooksend. He counted 4 Grey Herons, 1 Cattle Egret at Netherhale, 113 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Canada Geese W, 1 Greylag Goose W, 2 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards, 3 Red Kites at Upper Hale,12 Lapwings, 2 Curlew E, 1 Snipe, 1 summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull, 1 Raven, 20 Cetti's Warblers and 22 Chiffchaffs. He also saw one or Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies.
This evening we saw a Merlin hunting near the Roman Galley.
March 15th
On another mild but showery morning we walked onto the Marsh and recorded 4 Skylarks, 10 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Stonechat, 24 Chaffinches, 2 Green Sandpipers, 15 Mute Swans, 4 Linnets, 14 Tufted Ducks, 6 Coot, 6 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Cormorants and 2 Greylag Geese.
Whilst we were at Reculver, Matt walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and saw 7 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 11 Grey Herons building 4 nests, 4 Greenfinches, 1 Mistle Thrush, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Redwings, 4 Jays, 16 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 14 Lapwings, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Tufted Ducks, 13 Coot, 3 Kestrels, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Fieldfare in off the sea, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Wigeon, 27 Mallard and 1 Common Buzzard.
This afternoon on his drive home Matt had a Red Kite (131st) fly south over the Thanet Way at Shuart.
March 14th
On a pleasant March morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and but didn't see a great deal. We counted 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Skylarks, 29 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 11 Chaffinches, 6 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Golden Plovers, 4 Lapwings, 7 Reed Buntings, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 130 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Oystercatchers and 3 Redwings.
On a mild afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 6 Coot, 12 Cormorants, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Pied Wagtail.
March 13th
At least it wasn't raining this morning as Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and we walked in from Reculver and met him at Coldharbour. Between us we saw 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 387 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 48 Meadow Pipits W, 4 alba wagtails W, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Shelduck, 23 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Curlew, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Snipe, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Stonechats, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Redwing, 15 Lapwings, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Jay, 4 Ringed Plovers, 7 Mallard and 19 Linnets.
March 12th
This morning Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 0900 in the pouring rain and walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. He saw 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Spoonbill flying W at Plumpudding (130th), 1 female Marsh Harrier, 4 Lapwings, 35 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 14 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackbird, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Chiffchaffs mostly along the embankment and 1 singing Firecrest.
 |
| Spoonbill - Derek Smith |
March 11th
It was a raw and damp morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Curlews, 20 Linnets, 5 Shelduck, 2 Skylarks, 5 Redshank, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 23 Oystercatchers, 3 Mallard, 7 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Teal, 26 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Grebe and 4 Corn Buntings.
 |
| Dark-bellied Brent Geese |
 |
| A visitor to our garden this morning |
March 9th
The south easterly wind was not as chilly or strong as yesterday as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back in bright sunshine. We recorded 12 Mallard, 5 Reed Buntings, 11 Skylarks, 13 Linnets, 17 Chaffinches, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 500 Starlings, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 singing Chiffchaff at Chamber's Wall, 2 Goldcrests, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 2 Shoveler, 550 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 130 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 49 Sanderling, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel and 1 Greenfinch.
 |
| Male Reed Bunting |
March 8th
On a sunny morning with a fresh easterly breeze blowing we spent an hour and a half completing and underwhelming seawatch at Reculver. We counted 140 Common Scoter sitting on the sea out by the red buoy, 13 Red-throated Divers, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Gannets, 23 Black-headed Gulls E, 130 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Common Gulls E, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls E, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling, 1 Guillemot E, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Grey Heron.
We then walked inland and saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Cormorants, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Mallard, 2 nesting Grey Herons, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Coot and 1 Kestrel.
March 7th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 8 Skylarks, 5 Reed Buntings, 21 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Blackbirds, 9 Chaffinches, 200 Starlings, 2 Goldfinches, 10 Redwings, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 first winter and 1 second winter flying E together, 6 Meadow Pipits, 130 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
March 6th
There were a lot of showers about this morning but we managed to avoid them as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 8 Shelduck, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Corn Buntings, 16 Ringed Plovers, 12 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 22 Linnets, 2 Ravens flying towards Thanet, 9 Oystercatchers, 4 Reed Buntings singing, 82 Carrion Crows, 395 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Skylarks, 154 Black-headed Gulls flying E, 4 Mediterranean Gulls flying E, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Gannet E, 2 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Redshank and 1 Stonechat.
 |
| Oystercatcher |
Matt was also out this morning and walked out on to the Marsh to Chamber's Wall meeting us at Coldharbour and then walking back with us to Reculver. He saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Gadwall, 1 Goldcrest, 21 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 30 Chaffinches, 11 Corn Buntings, 90 Fieldfares, 350 Starlings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Song Thrushes, 15 Redwings, 5 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 1 large auk, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Red-throated Divers, 393 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Gannet, 1 Water Rail and 1 Stonechat.
March 5th
It was a miserable and drizzly morning as Anne and I visited Reculver and Shuart. At Reculver we counted 1 Pied Wagtail, 12 Mallard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 16 Cormorants, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes and 2 Long-tailed Tits and at Shuart we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 49 Linnets, 30 Chaffinches, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Tufted Duck, 29 Teal, 3 Mallard and 4 Goldfinches.
Our morning was brightened up considerably when we received a call from Matt to say he had found an extremely early male Ring Ouzel flying around and calling at the caravan bushes (129th). We arrived five minutes later and managed to see it before it flew into the Oyster Farm.
 |
| Record shot of the Ring Ouzel - Matt Hindle |
March 4th
On a glorious early spring morning we walked out on to the Marsh and recorded 1 Raven, 2 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 50 Chaffinches, 15 Mute Swans, 8 Linnets, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Coot, 8 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 5 Moorhens, 7 Cormorants, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Teal, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 4 singing Skylarks.
March 3rd
It was bright and chilly this morning as we walked up to Coldharbour and saw 12 Mute Swans, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Linnets, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 88 Carrion Crows, 2 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers, 335 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Stonechats, 2 Skylarks and 1 Short-eared Owl (128th).
 |
| Carrion Crow |
Derek Smith was out at Shuart and walked along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and on to Plumpudding between 0730 and 1100. He counted 680 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 8 Lapwings, 2 Jays, 6 Redwings, 4 Stonechats, 11 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Chiffchaff.
March 2nd
On a cold, damp and windy morning we spent an hour and forty minutes seawatching at Minnis Bay. We counted 142 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 34 Red-throated Divers, 17 Gannets, 150 Cormorants, 2 Fulmars, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 summer plumaged Razorbill and 1 Little Egret.
March 1st
There was pouring rain this morning as we sat at Reculver for forty minutes and counted 485 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Red-throated Diver flying E.
After lunch we walked inland and recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Skylark, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Coot, 7 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Cormorants, 12 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Chaffinches and 1 Green Sandpiper.
 |
| Tufted Duck beginning to pair up |