May 27th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and counted 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Swallows W, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Sand Martins, 1 Little Egret, 2 House Martins W, 11 Linnets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 27 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 7 Avocets and 3 Swifts W. In addition the Pyramidal Orchids near Coldharbour were beginning to flower.

Dave Smith was out at Reculver at 0445 and spent five hours birding most of the Marsh. His early start rewarded him with an adult Rose-coloured Starling flying W at 0540 (164th). This is the first one to be seen in Kent this year and only the third record for Reculver Marshes following single birds in 2008 and 2018. Other birds he recorded included 5 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Cuckoos, 153 Swifts W, 25 Oytsercatchers, 3 Avocets, 1 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Lapwings, 3 Sanderling, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobbies, 1 Raven, 6 Sand Martins W, 36 Swallows W, 21 House Martins W, 2 Lesser Whitehroats, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Stonechats.

Derek Smith was also birding this morning and walked from Shuart and along the embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Lapwings, 7 Avocets, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 18 House Martins W, 12 Sand Martins W, 6 Swifts W, 1 Bearded Tit, 3 Stonechats, including 2 juveniles, and 3 Lesser Whitethroats. He also found a good number of Bee Orchids and Southern Marsh Orchid.

Southern Marsh Orchid at Plumpudding - Derek Smith

Bee Orchid near Shuart - Derek Smith