November 30th

On a typical, dull and quiet winter's morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 22 Mute Swans, 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 11 Ringed Plovers, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1,385 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 85 Carrion Crows, 42 Mallard, 12 Corn Buntings, 16 Linnets, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Kestrel.

Part of the flock of 1,385 Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Stonechat

Meadow Pipit

November 29th

We had intended to walk along the seawall from Reculver this morning but when we got out to the car we found a puncture in the front tyre. By the time the very efficient AA man had replaced the tyre with the spare and I had got the puncture fixed in Herne Bay it was mid morning so we decided to do our walk this afternoon. We arrived at a sunny Reculver after lunch and walked inland where we recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 80 Stock Doves, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 56 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 32 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 52 Teal, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 46 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Dunlin, 9 Blackbirds, 3 Mute Swans and 1 Redwing.

November 28th

After yesterday's horrible weather today dawned sunny, calm and cold so we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and back. Birds we saw included 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 174 Sanderling, 67 Redshank, 22 Oystercatchers, 44 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 21 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 21 Mallard, 15 Dunlin, 48 Ringed Plovers, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.         

Roosting Redshank

Derek Smith was also out in the sunshine this morning and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawks, 7 Redshank, 36 Grey plovers, 33 Dunlin, 21 Curlew, 42 Ringed Plovers, 1 Water Rail, 65 Blackbirds, 33 Redwings, 12 Song Thrushes, 16 Fieldfares, 5 Stonechats, 2 Tree Sparrows, 6 Redpoll, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Goldcrests.

November 27th

After a morning of heavy rain the wind increased to a strong north-westerly at midday and the rain stopped. Matt spent two hours at Reculver from 1230 and we joined him for some of the time but it was very slow. All he recorded were 14 Red-throated Divers, 1 Wigeon W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Gannets W, 1 Golden Plover W, 2 Pintail W, 2 Common Scoter W, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Shelduck.

 November 26th

On a chilly and bright morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and counted 620 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 17 Mute Swans, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 20 Meadow Pipits, 37 Mallard, 1 Gannet E, 42 Carrion Crows on the beach, 10 Goldfinches, 7 Turnstone, 2 Shelduck, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Water Rail, 4 Reed Buntings, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

 November 25th

At least the wind had dropped this morning although it was still damp and dreary. Our walk inland at Reculver produced 8 Chaffinches, 1 Pied Wagtails. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Shoveler, 62 Gadwall, 34 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Teal, 1 male Pintail, 68 Coot, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Egret and 2 Mute Swan.

November 24th

Although it was milder and the sun was shining this morning there was an even stronger southerly gale blowing thanks to Storm Bert. We spent an hour at Reculver and only recorded 270 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shelduck, 22 Ringed Plovers, 6 Common Gulls E,1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Rock Pipit and 2 Pied Wagtails.

 November 23rd

At the beginning of what has been forecast to be a stormy weekend we spent an hour at Reculver before the rain and gale arrived. Southerly gales at this time of year are not very productive for Reculver and we only recorded 192 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier flying W at sea, 4 Gannets, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Pied Wagtails in the car park.

 November 22nd

With a fresh to strong westerly wind blowing today there was not a great deal to see as we spent an hour at Reculver this morning and an hour at Minnis Bay this afternoon. At Reculver we counted 1 Red-throated Diver, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Common Scoter and 1 Shelduck and at Minnis Bay we saw 14 Common Scoter, 5 Pochard W, 5 Red-throated Divers, 16 Gannets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Teal, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 130 Sanderling,2 Curlew and 56 Grey Plover.

November 21st

This morning was bitterly cold and overcast but thankfully windless as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour where we met Matt who had walked in from Shuart. We all then walked back to Reculver and inland. Between us we counted 645 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Little Egrets, 12 Lapwings, 21 Mute Swans, 7 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank calling in the Oyster Farm, 24 Ringed Plovers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelduck, 7 Linnets, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 56 Carrion Crows, 5 Goldfinches, 8 Little Grebes, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Red-throated Divers, 8 Stonechats, 11 Shoveler, 25 Teal, 66 Coot, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Buzzards, 60 Mallard, 75 Gadwall, 1 male Pintail, 2 Water Rails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 50 Blackbirds, 35 Redwing, 2 Siskin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Repoll, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Golden Plovers and 1 Sparrowhawk.

 November 20th

At Reculver on a bright, cold and windy morning with the tide out we saw 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Cormorants, 2 Razorbills E, 5 Wigeon and 2 Teal W, 2 Gannets E, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 35 Carrion Crows and 1 Sparrowhawk.

This afternoon at Reculver we counted 5 Pied Wagtails, 9 Redwings, 6 Goldfinches, 58 Mallard, 68 Coot, 8 Tufted Duck, 20 Teal, 1 Redshank, 60 Gadwall, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpipers, 2 Pintail, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Dunlin, 10 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warblers and 10 Blackbirds.

November 19th

We spent an hour at Reculver this morning in pouring rain but did not see a great deal just 2 Common Scoter flying E, 322 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck and 68 Kittiwakes flying E including one tight flock of 64.

Later Matt also spent an hour at Reculver and counted 104 Kittiwakes flying W, 2 Gannets, 8 Red-throated Divers, 3 Little Gulls W, 1 Common Scoter and 1 Red-breasted Merganser E.

November 18th

On an even cooler morning we walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Little Egret, 62 Coot, 9 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 7 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Meadow Pipits, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 48 Gadwall, 66 Mallard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pintail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 24 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel and 1 Stonechat.

November 17th  -  the 200th species for the year

On a sunny, chilly and breezy morning with the tide coming in we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and back. We counted 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Ringed Plovers with 1 Purple Sandpiper flying W, 1 Gannet, 31 Oystercatchers, 5 Mallard, 2 Turnstone, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Snow Buntings on the beach just east of the lagoon, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 65 Cormorants and 1 Redshank.

Snow Buntings

Matt walked at Reculver this morning and counted 55 Coot, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe (200th), 1 Pochard, 2 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 56 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 60 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Water Rails and 1 Brambling.

Black-necked Grebe - Matt Hindle

 November 16th

We spent a cold morning ringing on the Marshes south of the railway where we saw 12 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers, 80 Redwings, 10 Goldfinch, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Sparrowhawks, 10 Fieldfares, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Skylarks, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 86 Cormorants S, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Song Thrushes, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Chiffchaff.

Birds ringed 44: Long-tailed Tit 2, Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 1, Robin 3, Tree Sparrow 6, Reed Bunting 4, Chaffinch 2, Blue Tit 1, Yellowhammer 1, Redwing 12, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 8.

Tree Sparrow

 November 15th

We spent a calm and cold morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 13 Fieldfares, 90 Redwings, 60 Blackbirds, 3 Water Rails, 11 Redpolls, 400 Woodpigeons, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Reed Buntings, 60 Chaffinches, 80 Stock Doves, 4 Brambling, 1 Stonechat, 1 Greenfinch, 118 Lapwings, 4 Tree Sparrows, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Siskins, 1 Raven, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Skylarks, 2 Golden Plover and 10 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 49: Chiffchaff 1, Reed Bunting 8, Goldfinch 1, Robin 1, Redpoll 4, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 4, Brambling 1, Redwing 5, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 22.

First year Redpoll

Phil Smith found 5 Snow Buntings on the beach at Plumpudding.

November 14th

After a drizzly start the weather improved this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 6 Little Egrets, 13 Gannets E, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Shelduck, 330 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 19 Mute Swans, 1 Curlew, 9 Golden Plovers, 12 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Corn Buntings, 65 Carrion Crows, 11 Mallard, 14 Linnets, 7 Oystercatchers, 11 Turnstone, 1 Great Northern Diver flying high over the seawall E, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Little Grebe, 13 Lapwings, 6 Common Scoter W and 1 Knot W.

Last evening I received the ringing information of a first year Goldcrest we controlled at Reculver on October 26th and November 4th. It had originally been ringed at Sandwich Bay on October 18th.

November 13th

It was cold, windy and increasingly wet as we had a 45 minute walk along the seawall at Reculver. We saw 80 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 14 Wigeon, 7 Little Egrets, 9 Corn Buntings, 4 Lapwings N, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Gannet E and 7 Shelduck W.

Matt was also out this morning in the rain and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Minnis Bay. He recorded 1 Firecrest, 11 Redwings, 2 Siskins, 1 Stonechat, 2 Gannets, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Curlew, 17 Grey Plovers, 200 Oystercatchers, 150 Sanderling, 60 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 60 Ringed Plovers and 5 Dunlin.

At 0808, Marc Heath had 5 Cattle Egrets flying N at Hillborough.

November 12th

This morning, with a strong northerly wind blowing in the occasional shower, Matt seawatched from Reculver Towers between 0650 and 1250 and I joined him between 0710 and 1010. He recorded 104 Gannets, 34 Common Scoter W, 87 Common Gulls W, 85 Kittiwakes W, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 325 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Shelduck W, 147 Cormorants, 53 Little Gulls W, 72 Dunlin W, 12 Red-throated Divers, 30 Wigeon W, 4 Curlew, 98 Lapwings W, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 1 Guillemot E, 10 Teal W, 1 male Pintail W, 2 Merlins in off, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers W and 2 Razorbills E. He also saw 2 Puffins flying W, 1 at 0830 and 1 at 1015 (197th), 21 Golden Plover W, 1 Peregrine, 13 Eider E, 4 Knot W, 2 Slavonian Grebes on the sea off the Towers that flew W at 1035 (198th) together with a Red-necked Grebe that flew E at 1035 (199th), 1 Pomarine Skua and 1 Mediterranean Gull.

November 11th

On a sunny morning with a fresh north wind blowing we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall and back. We counted 304 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 24 Mute Swans, 400 Starlings, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, a flock of 85 Corn Buntings, 42 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret and 4 Gannets flying E. 

This morning Matt had a watch from the Towers and then walked inland. He saw 92 Gannets W, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Common Gulls, 345 Cormorants, 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 10 large auks W and 4E, 3 Razorbills W, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 adult Little Gull W, 200 Woodpigeons, 270 Herring Gulls, 24 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot E, 12 Skylarks, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 23 Lapwings, 4 Little Grebes, 5 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 61 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrows and 2 Common Buzzards.

November 10th

At least we had a glimpse of the sun this morning as we visited various sites at Reculver. We saw 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 78 Mallards, 6 Goldfinches, 69 Coot, 4 Little Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Raven, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Teal, 1 Snipe, 4 Shoveler, 25 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Redwing, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard, 110 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Gannets E and 45 Carrion Crows on the beach below the cliffs at Bishopstone.

Derek Smith walked from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour and back and saw 12 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 130 Gannets E, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Wigeon E, 3 Shelduck W, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Stonechats, 10 Tree Sparrows, 4 Goldfinches W and 1 Chiffchaff.

 November 9th

There was a continuation of the quiet, cold and overcast weather this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 530 Goldfinches flying W, 16 Siskins flying W, 16 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 1 Great Northern Diver on the sea out by the red buoy, 1 Redwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 21 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 28 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 36 Carrion Crows, 1 Teal, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 41 Linnets, 35 Golden Plovers, 52 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Goldcrest.

Matt was out before us and walked further, from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment and Green Wall. He recorded 17 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtails, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Egrets, 7 Wigeon, 7 Stonechats, 1 Spotted Redshank still in the Oyster Farm, 14 Cetti's Warblers, 91 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Rock Pipits, 9 Teal, 1 Lesser Redpoll W, 1 Water Rail, 3 Kingfishers, 1 Tufted Duck W, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1,944 Goldfinches W, 1 Great Northern Diver flying high NW, 30 Siskins W, 6 Bearded Tits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 157 Chaffinches W, 460 Starlings, 10 Grey Herons, 12 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits W, 47 Lapwings, 14 Golden Plovers, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Snipe, 75 Linnets, 20 Gadwall, 15 Mallard, 24 Song Thrushes, 3 Goldcrests, 1 female Merlin, 1 Common Buzzard, 105 Corn Buntings,1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 1 Firecrest.

Derek Smith was also birding this morning and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and then to Coldharbour before returning along the embankment. He saw 5 Greylag Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Shelduck E, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 16 Gadwall, 46 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 6 Fieldfares W, 95 Redwings W, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Pied Wagtails W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Bearded Tits, 9 Stonechats, 1 Tree Sparrow, 204 Goldfinches W, 4 Bramblings, 93 Chaffinches W, 39 Siskins W, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 1 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Buntings.

Female Brambling - Derek Smith

 November 8th

It was cold and overcast again this morning as we had another ringing session at Shuart. Birds we saw included 3 Chiffchaffs, 67 Redwings, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Firecrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Water Rails, 5 Bramblings, 1 Hawfinch flying high south-west and calling, 47 Fieldfares, 1 Common Buzzard, 24 Lapwings, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Siskins, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Goldfinches and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 17: Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Chaffinch 2, Robin 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 5, Blackbird 1.

This morning Dave Smith was from Shuart to Plumpudding and counted 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Jay, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Firecrests, 10 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackbirds, 15 Fieldfares, 2 Stonechats, 4 Bramblings, 15 Siskins and 2 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon I have received the ringing information of a first year male Reed Bunting we controlled at Shuart on November 5th. It had been ringed as a juvenile at Cock Marling, East Sussex on 14th August 2024 and had flown 65 km NE to reach Shuart. We have ringed over 300 Reed Buntings so far this year and hope that some of these will be controlled by other ringers.

November 7th

We spent another cool and overcast morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 6 Fieldfares, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 22 Redwings, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps, 54 Coot, 36 Gadwall, 70 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Water Rail, 400 Starlings, 1 Teal, 200 Woodpigeons, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 60 Stock Doves, 1 Firecrest, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 1 Mistle Thrush, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Birds ringed 17: Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 7, Reed Bunting 1, Blackcap 3, Chaffinch 1, SongThrush 2, Blackbird 1.

November 6th

On a calm, cool and overcast morning with the tide out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 110 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1,150 Starlings, 5 Little Egrets, 18 Meadow Pipits, 4 Grey Partrdges, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Corn Buntings, 11 Goldfinches, 51 Linnets, 1 Curlew, 19 Oystercatchers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 17 Mallard, 44 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 60 Carrion Brows, 44 Lapwings, 1 Shelduck, 17 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 adult Little Gull flying W and 1 Kestrel.

Matt walked at Reculver and Bishopstone this morning and saw 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 7 Tree Sparrows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 600 Starlings, 20 Skylarks, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 5 Teal flying W.

November 5th

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Snipe, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Kestrel, 5 Fieldfares, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Lapwings, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Water Rails, 3 Brambling, 90 Redwings, 2 Siskins, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Stonechats, 15 Song Thrushes, 40 Blackbirds, 1 Marsh Harrier, 40 Chaffinches, 1 Firecrest, 40 Reed Buntings, 2 Jays, 8 Skylarks, 21 Pink-footed Geese flying NE, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Peregrine, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Golden Plover.

Birds ringed 53: Goldcrest 1, Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Bunting 19, Blue Tit 1, Robin 3, Chaffinch 4, Meadow Pipit 1, Goldfinch 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Song Thrush 6, Blackbird 12.

Meadow Pipit

Dave Smith had an early morning walk at Bishopstone Glen where he saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 55 Skylarks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 500 Starlings flying W, 2 Song Thrushes, 12 Redwings and 12 Chaffinches.

 November 4th

We had an excellent morning's ringing at Reculver where that had been an overnight arrival of Chiffchaffs and crests. We saw 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 30 Chiffchaffs, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Siberian Chiffchaff

Other birds we saw included 4 Cetti's Warblers, 54 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Tufted Duck, 28 Lawings, 1 Snipe, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Shoveler, 74 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Gadwall, 2 Water Rails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 8 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1,000+ Starlings flying W or feeding on the fields, 21 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Brambling, 28 Skylarks, 55 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Herons, 62 Fieldfares W, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Swallow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Redwings, 12 Siskins and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Birds ringed 65: Goldcrest 8, Chiffchaff 18, Long-tailed Tit 3, Firecrest 1, Siberian Chiffchaff 1, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Linnet 1, Blue Tit 5, Chaffinch 13, Robin 1, Blackcap 1, Goldfinch 2, Redwing 4, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

 We had a very interesting retrap of a Chiffchaff this morning. We had originally ringed it on 8th November 2020 and it has not been seen again until today . It seems likely that it is a wintering bird returning to its winter territory and it would be interesting to know where it had been breeding.

November 3rd

It was calm and overcast this morning as we walked at various sites at Reculver. We counted 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 43 Gadwall, 52 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 28 Stock Doves, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 4 Chiffchaffs, 57 Mallard, 3 Redwings, 4 Goldcrests, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Firecrest, 12 Lapwings, 77 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Gannets, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Stonechat.

Dave Smith was out in the Shuart, Minnis Bay and Plumpudding areas this morning and saw 12 Shelduck, 53 Mallard, 5 Teal, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Golden Plover, 37 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Gannet, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 355 Starlings, 8 Song Thrushes, 10 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares, 3 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 19 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings, 1 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting W and 2 Corn Buntings.

Derek Smith was out all morning and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back via Coldharbour and the embankment. He saw 85 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Gannets E, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Pintail W, 1 Shelduck, 72 Common Scoter E, 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 35 Grey Plovers W, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin W, 14 Redshank, 14 Curlews, 45 Sanderling, 22 Turnstone, 8 Lapwings S, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Jays, 18 Redwings W, 4 Fieldfares W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 4 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Tree Sparrows, 13 Brambling W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest and 7 Corn Buntings.

Red-throated Diver - Derek Smith

Tree  Sparrow - Derek Smith

November 2nd

This morning began drizzly but cleared at about 0900. Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour along the seawall where we met him before we all returned to seawatch from the Towers. We had an excellent morning seeing a good range of species and counted 3 Goldcrests, 5 Rock Pipits, 4 Stonechats, 7 Little Egrets, 41 Gannets E, 36 Wigeon W, 12 Corn Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Herons, 5 Curlew, 1,546 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Shelduck W, 1 Brambling in off, 200 Knot flying high W, 2 Yellowhammers, 60 Dunlin, 2 Gadwall and 1 Spotted Redshank in the Oyster Farm and then flying S (195th). We also saw, 600 Starlings, 1 Peregrine high over the sea and diving at a Short-eared Owl, 5 Teal, 31 Common Scoter, 18 Little Gulls high in off, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Siskins, 1 Kittiwake E, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 1 Pink-footed Goose E (196th), 9 Skylarks in off, 2 Great Skuas E, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Greenfinch.

November 1st

This morning we had a ringing session at Shuart where we saw 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 550 Redwings, 26 Fieldfares, 2 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Water Rail, 6 Goldfinches, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Firecrest, 4 Bramblings, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Snipe, 125 Chaffinches, 30 Skylarks, 16 Siskins, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Jay, 2 Ravens, 65 Lapwings, 150 Starlings, 1 Common Buzzard, 25 Blackbirds and 20 Song Thrushes.

Birds ringed 34: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Chaffinch 3, Robin 2, Reed Bunting 13, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Blackbird 3, Green Woodpecker 1.

Adult Redwing

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall and back along the Green Wall. He saw 25 Skylarks, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 13 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 41 Fieldfares, 7 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 115 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye flying E, 33 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 7 Lesser Redpolls W, 410 Goldfinches W, 1 Siskin W, 30 Corn Buntings and 1 Yellowhammer.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart along the Embankment to Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour and back via Brooksend. He counted 6 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Snipe E, 18 Curlew, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Jays, 350 Redwings W, 1 Mistle Thrush W, 130 Blackbirds, 6 Fieldfares W, 45 Song Thrushes, 800 Starlings W, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Stonechats, 16 Skylarks W, 3 Pied Wagtails W, 12 Lesser Redpolls W, 208 Goldfinches W, 3 Siskins W, 43 Chaffinches W, 1 Brambling W, 23 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 26 Goldcrests.