September 30th

On a wet and windy day I had arranged to take my car in for a service and MOT so we didn't get down to Reculver until this afternoon. In 45 minutes our highlights were 1 Little Egret, 28 Swallows flying W, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit flying W close inshore, 1 Sandwich Tern E and 1 Merlin flying in off the sea.

This afternoon I received interesting information about a first year Garden Warbler we ringed at Reculver on September 12th. It was controlled 9 days later on September 21st at Longis Reserve, Alderney, Channel Islands and had travelled 299 km SW on the first leg of it's journey to Sub-Saharan Africa. The previous controls we have had for this species were Spain and Ghana.

September 29th

On a chilly morning we had a ringing session on the Marsh south of the railway. Birds we saw included 32 Chiffchaffs, 34 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 140 Swallows flying W, 1 Redwing, 8 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 29 Reed Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 33 House Martins flying W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 10 Goldfinches, 25 Meadow Pipits, 1 Kingfisher and 20 Linnets.

Birds ringed 52: Chiffchaff 19, Goldcrests 1, Firecrest 1, Blackcap 6, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 11, Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 2, Dunnock 5, Blackbird 1, Green Woodpecker 1.

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart  along the embankment to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend. He counted 2 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Kestrels, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Curlew, 45 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 18 Sandwich Terns, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 930 Swallows flying W, 85 House Martins flying W, 14 Sand Martins flying W, 2 Rock Pipits and 23 Pied Wagtails in a ploughed field.

September 28th

We spent a bright and sunny morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 15 Swallows, 1 Tawny Owl (190th), 1 Barn Owl, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Grey Wagtails, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 16 Teal, 42 Coot, 59 Gadwall, 20 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 10 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 60 Chiffchaffs, 20 Blackcaps, 18 Goldfinches, 1 Little Egret, 9 Corn Buntings, 5 Song Thrushes, 7 Reed Buntings, 4 Stonechats, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 60: Chiffchaff 40, Goldcrest 2, Blackcap 15, Blue Tit 2, Grey Wagtail 1.

First year Grey Wagtail

 Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Minnis Bay and Plumpudding and back. He counted 16 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 70 Oystercatchers, 22 Golden Plovers, 10 Ringed Plovers, 21 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 30 Turnstone, 75 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 5 Common Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Kestrels, 25 Skylarks, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Swallows, 4 House Martins W, 50 Chiffchaffs, 11 Blackcaps, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 76 Starlings W and 23 Meadow Pipits W.

September 27th

Matt arrived at the Towers at 0700 and stayed until 1800 seawatching - he was joined by Derek Smith from 1100. The strong wind  was initially from the west but after a heavy shower at about 1000 veered to NNW and strengthened. Birds seen were 1 Guillemot, 180 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Rock Pipit, 69 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Red-throated Diver, 480 Gannets with many more further out, 4 Curlew, 7 Sand Martins W, 2 Little Egrets, 87 Arctic Skuas, 27W and 60E, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 30 Swallows W, 12 Great Skuas, 9W and 3E, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 10 House Martins W, 124 Kittiwakes,W, 11 Commic Terns W and 26 Balearic Shearwaters, 26W of which 25 were in a five minute period (185th). There were also 6 Arctic Terns W, 43 Common Terns W, 33 Little Gulls W, 10 Common Scoter, 3 small shearwater sp, E, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 1 adult W and 1 adult E, 1 Purple Sandpiper W (186th), 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua W (187th), 4 Golden Plover W, 8 Wigeon W, 1 Grey Plover, 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull W at 1548 (188th), 1 Leach's Petrel W at 1635 (189th), 4 Dunlin and 3 Turnstone. In addition a Harbour Porpoise was seen swimming E.

Adult Arctic Skua - Derek Smith

Adult Pomarine Skua - Derek Smith

This morning we had a wander around Reculver in windy and damp conditions. We saw 24 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Chaffinches, 1 Stonechat, 18 Swallows flying W, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 10 House Martins flying W, 1 male Merlin flying W at sea out by the green buoy and then making landfall at Bishopstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Wheatear. Later we joined Matt at the Towers for a couple of hours.

September 26th

There had been an overnight fall of Chiffchaffs and to a lesser extent Blackcaps at out ringing site at Shuart this morning. We saw 160 Chiffchaffs, 60 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Goldcrest, 16 House Martins W, 18 Swallows W, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Robins, 2 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Raven.

Birds ringed 123: Chiffchaff 78, Long-tailed Tit 2, Goldcrest 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 29, Robin 1, Blue Tit 3, Great Tit 5, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1,  Blackbird 1.

Chiffchaff

September 25th

On a showery day Matt walked from Shuart, along the embankment and back via Plumpudding and discovered there was a large arrival of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs as well as a good westerly movement of hirundines. He counted 2 Firecrests, 1 Goldcrest, 64 Chiffchaffs, 5 "continental" Song Thrushes, 53 Blackcaps, 1 Kingfisher, 1,485 Swallows W, 2,230 House Martins W, 4 Lesser Whitethroats including a Siberian type bird, 2 Whitethroats, 34 Skylarks, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Coot, 10 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Stonechats, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Snipe, 4 Kestrels and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

During the day, Anne and I visited Reculver twice and recorded 32 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blue Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Robins, 210 Swallows W, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Teal, 8 Little Grebes, 52 Mallard, 30 Gadwall, 150 House Martins W, 52 Coot, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier and 17 Blackcaps.

September 24th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Siskins flying W, 11 Little Grebes, 2 Common Sandpipers, 46 Coot, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 35 Mallard, 8 Blackcaps, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Reed Warbler and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 22: Long-tailed Tit 2, Firecrest 1, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 7, Blackcap 5, Blue Tit 2, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

September 23rd

This morning we walked at various sites in the Reculver area and saw a good number of hirundines feeding around the Towers and over the grass for about half and hour before moving off to the west. We counted 220 Swallows, 150 House Martins and 18 Sand Martins.

 

Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins

Other birds we saw included 9 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Robins, 54 Mallard, 1 female Pochard, 5 Chaffinches, 26 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 50 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtails, 6 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 10 Little Grebes, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Kestrel and 12 Meadow Pipits.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. He saw 6 Golden Plover, 120 Swallows W, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 320 House Martins W, 6 Sand Martins, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Little Egret, 2 Reed Warblers and 1 Water Rail.

September 22nd

On a thundery morning we managed to miss most of the showers as we had a ringing session at Reculver. We saw 4 Siskins flying W, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 45 Mallard, 10 Teal, 10 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 8 Robins, 1 Little Egret, 1 Redwing, 2 "continental" Song Thrushes, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 40 Coot, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Lapwings W, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jays, 2 Goldcrests and 1 Swallow. Just as we were packing up and leaving a Yellow-browed Warbler (184th) flew into the trees and called four times.

Birds ringed 22: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 5, Robin 3, Reed Warbler 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blue Tit 3, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

"Continental" Song Thrush

September 21st

We spent a sunny morning on the Marsh south of the railway and saw 1 Brambling, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 40 Chiffchaffs, 40 Linnets, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Siskin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1+ Golden Plover, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Tree Pipit SW, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby and 35 Chaffinches.

Birds ringed 65: Chiffchaff 25, Wren 1, Willow Warbler 2, Reed Warblers 4, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 5, Great Tit 2, Reed Bunting 5, Cetti's Warbler 3, Chaffinch 6, Sedge Warbler 1, Linnet 1, Goldfinch 1, Robin 3, Dunnock 4, Kestrel 1.

First year female Kestrel

 September 20th

It was relatively quiet today as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where the tide was a long way out. We counted 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Chiffchaffs, 38 Linnets, 11 Robins, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 22 Swallows flying W, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 10 House Martins flying W and 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Chamber's Wall car park.

Spotted Flycatcher

 Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 1 Barn Owl, 15 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 14 Coot, 1 Water Rail, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Cetti's Warblers, 18 Chiffchaffs, 28 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 13 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 414 Swallows W, 9 Common Scoter, 3 Kestrels, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Gadwall, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Snipe, 98 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Sand Martins W, 1 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Sparrowhawk.

September 19th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Grey Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 24 Gadwall, 20 Mallard, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 11 Robins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 female Pintail, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redshank, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lapwings, 1 Whinchat and 1 Ringed Plover.

Birds ringed 16: Chiffchaff 2, Robin 4, Blackcap 5, Reed Warbler 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1.

September 18th

We had an underwhelming walk along the seawall at Reculver this morning with a fresh and humid NE wind blowing. We recorded 5 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 34 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 26 Carrion Crows, 2 Stonechats, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Gannets E, 5 Teal W and 18 Cormorants.

Matt was out at Reculver between 0700 and 1100 and counted 39 Swallows, 34 Wigeon W, 66 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 5 Teal W, 29 Common Scoter E, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 48 Gannets E, 10 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Red-throated Diver W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Whinchat, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 21 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Little Grebes, 44 Coot, 3 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 34 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 15 Lapwings, 3 Arctic Skuas W, 3 adult Little Gulls E, 1 Great Skua W and 2 Arctic Terns E (183rd).

September 17th

This morning Anne and I met up with Matt who was seawatching at the Towers and were joined by Rob Rackliffe and Virginia Fairchild. Matt remained there from 0650 to 1010 and saw 44 Common Scoter, 2 Little Egrets, 32 Gannets E, 88 Wigeon W, 1 Manx Shearwater E (182nd), 60 Sandwich Terns E, 55 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 4 Teal W, 5 Arctic Skuas, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Great Skua W and 2 Swallows.

After our seawatch Anne and I walked inland and counted 45 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 11 Little Grebes, 27 Lapwings, 24 Linnets, 2 Shoveler, 32 Mallard, 58 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Grey Heron.

September 16th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 3 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 45 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 24 Mallard, 25 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 35 Coot, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Tree Pipit W, 6 House Martins, 42 Swallows, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Little Owl, 30 Blackcaps, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Greenshank W, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Firecrest, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jays and 2 Reed Warblers.

Birds ringed 61: Chiffchaff 26, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 22, Cetti's Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 2, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 6.

September 15th

On another beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back. We saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 34 Chiffchaffs, 1 Peregrine, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Swallows, 10 Linnets, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Goldfinches, 6 Robins, 3 Blackcaps, 1+ Golden Plover, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shelduck, 3 Ringed Plovers, 12 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Whitethroat.

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to the Oyster Farm, Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall. He counted 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Firecrest, 8 Little Grebes, 8 Tufted Duck, 33 Coot, 13 Snipe, 2 Common Scoter, 24 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 59 Chiffchaffs, 6 Reed Warblers, 18 Blackcaps, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Tree Pipits, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 37 Swallows, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 50 Linnets, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Bearded Tits, 18 Meadow Pipits, 1 Shelduck, 1 House Martin, 4 Teal, 11 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Gannets, 10 Lapwing, 3 Kestrels, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

September 14th

We spent a glorious early autumn morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. Birds we saw included 45 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Linnets, 10 Blackcaps, 6 Sedge Warblers, 12 Reed Warblers,1 Willow Warbler, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Reed Buntings, 18 Swallows flying SW, 1 Whitethroat, 13 Magpies, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Little Egret, 13 Corn Buntings, 1 Firecrest, 10 House Martins, 10 Dunnocks and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 58: Chiffchaff 17, Willow Warbler 1, Firecrest 1, Blackcap 7, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 10, Robin 3, Sedge Warbler 6, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 3, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 6.

Dave Smith was out at 0630 and spent over five hours covering the east end of the recording area. He counted 1 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 30 Ringed Plovers, 2 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in Coldharbour, 2 Snipe, 16 Turnstone, 30 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 16 Sandwich Terns, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Wryneck at Plumpudding Stables, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Kestrels, 1 Merlin flying W, 1 Bearded Tit, 4 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 24 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 19 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 18 Starlings W, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Chamber's Wall, 2 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit and 2 Corn Buntings. Dave also found 2 Firecrests at Shuart.

 September 13th

We spent another bright and breezy morning this time ringing at Shuart and saw 1 Kestrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Reed Warblers, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 20 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Peregrine, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Lapwing and 2 Ravens.

Birds ringed 17: Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 6, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2.

September 12th

We spent a bright and breezy morning ringing at Reculver where we ringed and saw some good birds. During seven hours we recorded 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Corn Buntings, 20 Swallows, 9 Sand Martins, 38 Coot, 10 Little Grebes, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall, 30 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Firecrests, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Garden Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 50 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, 2 House Martins, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Jay, 1 Wryneck in scrub near footpath south from the Towers (181st), 1 Wigeon, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Hobby and 2 Dunlin flying W.

Birds ringed 72: Firecrest 4, Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 9, Wren 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 43, Garden Warbler 4, Blue Tit 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Sparrowhawk 1.

Male Firecrest

September 11th

We had an away day and visited a sunny but cool and windy Dungeness. We saw some very good birds including 2 Great White Egrets, 15 Black Terns, 1 juvenile White-winged Black Tern, 1 Glossy Ibis, 10 Cattle Egrets, 1 juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Garganey.

September 10th

On a blustery morning with a south west wind blowing there was a westerly movement of hirundines and pipits. During one and three quarter hours we counted 810 House Martins, 130 Swallows, 19 Sand Martins and 38 Meadow Pipits. Other birds we saw included 34 Linnets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Ringed Plover calling loudly and landing in the Oyster Farm, 2 Redshank, 1 Wheatear, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Grey Herons, 42 Mallard, 8 Turnstone, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper and 3 Kestrels. We also saw a Stoat hunting on the seawall.

September 9th

It was a rather disappointing day with the WNW wind not producing a great deal on the sea. Matt spent two hours seawatching this morning and we spent an hour and a half this afternoon and only counted 52 Swallows W, 1 Arctic Skua W, 1 Black Tern W, 13 Sand Martins W, 2 Wigeon W, 6 Gannets, 1 Great Skua W, 1 Firecrest in the car park, 1 Shoveler W, 1 Garganey W (180th) and 6 Bar-taled Godwits W.

Dave Smith had a walk at Reculver this evening and saw 50 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 20 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 1 Common Gull, 14 Sandwich Terns, 1 Hobby, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows and 1 Chiffchaff.

September 8th

This morning Anne and I walked around Reculver bushes and then inland. Birds we saw included 4 Grey Herons, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs,  3 Robins, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 52 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 41 Coot, 9 Little Grebes, 16 Gadwall, 1 Common Sandpipers, 4 Tufted Duck and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Spotted Flycatchers

This morning Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. He recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 11 Swallows, 28 House Martins, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear, 4 Kestrels, 14 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Grey Herons. He also saw a Buzzard species very high and gliding S before being lost in the clouds.

September 7th

We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Tree Pipits flying over, 5 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 25 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Corn Buntings, 20 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 11 Golden Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Blue Tits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Magpies and 1 male Ring Ouzel.

There have been large numbers of Red Admiral butterflies flying during the last couple of days and we saw a good number during the morning. In our garden at Bishopstone, on our buddleia bushes, there were at least 15 Red Admirals together with 3 or 4 Painted Ladies.

Birds ringed 48: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 4, Blackcap 3, Reed Warbler 14, Whitethroat 4, Blue Tit 6, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Chaffinch 1, Great Tit 3, Robin 1, Sedge Warbler 4, Linnet 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

Robin

This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and the Oyster Farm by way of the embankment and walked back along the seawall. He counted 2 Teal, 14 Golden Plovers, 70 Ringed Plovers, 43 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 23 Turnstone, 16 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 2 Common Gulls, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Kestrels, 1 juvenile male Bearded Tit, 3 Sedge Warblers, 11 Reed Warblers, 1 Sand Martin, 30 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 1 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatears, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits and the Little Bunting on the edge of the Oyster Farm before flying S.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and on to the Oyster Farm before returning along the embankment. He saw 13 Greylag Geese, 10 Little Grebes, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Marsh Harriers, 6 Kestrels, 1 Common Sandpiper, 14 Magpies W, 40 Swallows, 12 House Martins, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits E, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 8 Reed Warblers and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Matt and Marion were out again between 1500 and 1700 and walked from Bishopstone to Reculver. They saw 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 67 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 42 Coot, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Dunlin - Matt Hindle

September 6th - A New Species for Reculver

Matt was out early this morning and his highlight was finding a new species for Reculver Marshes - a LITTLE BUNTING. This is the 310th species for the area and the 179th for the year. He found it at 0810 by the Green Wall, seeing it well and hearing it call repeatedly from an elderberry bush before it flew north for fifty metres and dropped into bushes. He could not re-find it, but after lunch we went back with him and he found it again at 1255 calling from the top of a willow tree before flying back to where he originally found it. 

Other birds he saw included 10 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Mallard, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Swallows W, 1 Wheatear, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Tree Sparrow W (178th), 1 Snipe, 1 Pied Flycatcher at Coldharbour, 4 Sandwich Terns, 7 Redshank, 9 Shoveler, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 5 Kestrels, 1 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Gadwall, 3 Lapwings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Gannets and 8 House Martins. He also good numbers of Red Admirals.

It was overcast and murky as Anne and I walked inland at Reculver this morning and saw 20 Goldfinches, 1 Swallow, 42 Mallard, 4 Common Sandpipers, 8 Gadwall, 53 Coot, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler,  6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Common Tern W and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull W.

 

Dave Smith was birding as well this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to the Green Wall. He recorded 7 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, 6 Coot, 63 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Turnstone,  3 Sandwich Terns, 10 Gannets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels,  Reed Warblers, 28 Swallows, 3 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Meadow Pipits and 1 Tree Pipit flying over.

 

Later this afternoon Matt also saw 1 Curlew, 6 Sandwich Terns, 12 Gannets, 1 Knot, 2 Sanderling, 1 Wheatear, 1 Guillemot, 30 Swallows, 5 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Common Redstart, 1 Greenshank, 2 Tree Pipits and 1 Water Rail.

September 5th

With an increasing NE wind and showers forecast Dave Smith, Matt, Anne and I spent from 0600 to 1330 seawatching at Reculver. The undoubted highlight of the morning was a Cory's Shearwater (177th) that flew east close in past the Towers at 0825 and then back west out past the red buoy at 0859. It was seen later at Shellness and Grain. This is only the sixth record of this species for Reculver and a long awaited new area and Kent tick for me.

Other birds we saw during the morning included 15 Arctic Skuas W, 53 Sandwich Terns E, 105 Gannets E, 9 Common Scoter, 7 Great Skuas W, 7 Wigeon W, 48 Teal W, 1 Swift in off the sea, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 19 Swallows, 1 Black Tern W, 1 Shoveler, 7 Common Terns E, 1 Common Sandpiper, 16 Kittiwakes W, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Pintail W, 1 adult Pomarine Skua E and 1 Guillemot E.

September 4th

We spent the mornng ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Jays, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 42 Coot, 39 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Wagtails W, 30 Linnets, 1 Dunlin, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Robins, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Hobby, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Swallows, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Birds ringed 41: Wren 4, Chiffchaff 3, Long-tailed Tit 3, Blackcap 19, Reed Warbler 2, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Linnet 1, Whitethroat 1, Goldfinch 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blackbird 2.

Yesterday I received information about a juvenile Reed Warbler we ringed at Reculver on August 12th. It was controlled at Sandwich Bay on 17th August a distance of 17km SE of Reculver.

September 3rd

After overnight showers we spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Grey Partridge, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 House Martins W, 12 Swallows W, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Hobby.

Birds ringed 24: Willow Warbler 3, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 5, Reed Bunting 2, Great Tit 1, Cetti's Warbler 2, Robin 2, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Linnet 2, Dunnock 4, Blackbird 1.

First year Spotted Flycatcher

 At Reculver there was a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers and 1 Dunlin.

September 2nd

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 9 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Mallard, 54 Swallows, 4 Willow Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Barn Owl, 24 Greylag Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Sedge Warblers, 15 Reed Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 50 House Martins, 35 Linnets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Lapwings, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Hobbies, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Jays and 1 Greenshank.

Birds ringed 34: Wren 2, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 12, Sedge Warbler 5, Robin 3, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Whitethroat 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 1.

Adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker

 Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 40 Greylag Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Ringed Plovers, 55 Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, 25 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sand Martins, 80 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

September 1st

On an increasingly humid morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where it was relatively quiet. We only recorded 3 Grey Herons, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Goldfinches, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Robins, 21 Teal, 4 Linnets, 4 Redshank, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Pied Wagtails, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Greenshank W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Arctic Skua E and 1 Kestrel.

Matt was also out this morning and covered the Reculver area. He saw 1 Whimbrel, 8 Gannets, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Common Sandpipers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 5 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Snipe, 6 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, 47 Coot, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 52 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Gadwall, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Greenshank and 2 Reed Warblers.

This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and then on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 30 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Golden Plover, 100 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 21 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 16 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Derek Smith was out all morning and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and then Plumpudding. He counted 9 Little Grebes, 17 Greylag Geese, 6 Gannets E, 5 Little Egrets, 5 Common Buzzards, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W, 2 Great Skuas W, 28 Sandwich Terns, 1 Golden Plover on the beach, 10 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Swallows, 4 Wheatears, 4 Whinchats, 1 Stonechat, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers and 1 Grasshopper Warbler.

Golden Plover - Derek Smith

Whinchat - Derek Smith

Great Skua - Derek Smith