July 31st

This morning was similar to yesterday except that it was raining. We saw 4 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 120 Herring Gulls, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Mute Swan, 42 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 24 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Teal and 5 Little Grebes.

Today we received information about a first year Sedge Warbler we ringed at Shuart on 11th August 2023. It was controlled on July 30th at Water Dean Bottom, Wiltshire which is 213 km W of Shuart. 

 July 30th

After a few light showers this morning we walked at Reculver and Shuart where we saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Woodpecker, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 38 Coot, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Little Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 31 Mallard, 2 Teal, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 2 Common Buzzards.

 July 29th

There was a chilly northwest wind blowing this morning as we birded at Reculver. It was relatively quiet, but we did see 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 31 Mallard, 46 Coot, 6 Mute Swans, 3 Common Sandpipers, 7 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Shoveler, 3 Goldfinches and 1 Mediterranean Gull.

Adult Mediterranean Gull

July 28th

On a sunny morning we walked at Reculver and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Common Sandpipers, 22 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 7 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 42 Coot, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Goldfinches, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Whitethroats.

A tatty Meadow Pipit

 

Gatekeeper

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0545 and 0830 and walked from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour and back. He counted 2 Little Egrets, 315 Black-headed Gulls, 22 Ringed Plovers, 9 Oystercatchers, 7 Turnstone, 44 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers and a family of 5 Stonechats. 

 July 27th

This morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Little Grebes, 16 Mallard, 6 Mute Swans, 38 Coot, 2 Wood Sandpipers (170th), 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Gadwall and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Wood Sandpipers - Matt Hindle

Adult Mediterranean Gull - Matt Hindle

 July 26th

We spent another morning ringing, this time at Shuart, where we saw 48 Crossbills flying W, 1 Tree Pipit flying W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Greylag Geese, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 25 Whitethroats, 10 Sedge Warblers, 25 Reed Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 14 Linnet, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Swallow, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Birds ringed 72: Willow Warbler 3, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 22, Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 1, Blue Tit 3, Whitethroat 18, Goldfinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 9, Great Tit 3, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 5, Song Thrush 1.

Garden Warbler

 

Derek Smith was also out between 0600 and 1000 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 9 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 6 Lapwings W, 1 summer plumaged Golden Plover W, 3 Dunlin W, 2 Redshank, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Stonechats, 22 Crossbills flying W and 9 Chiffchaffs.

 July 25th

We spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 14 Sedge Warblers, 25 Reed Warblers, 16 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Raven, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Linnets, 2 Common Terns, 6 Cormorants and 15 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 66: Wren 1, Blue Tit 1, Whitethroat 19, Sedge Warbler 12, Reed Warbler 21, Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Linnet 4, Dunnock 4.

 July 24th

This morning we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Pied Wagtails. 7 Mute Swans, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Sand Martins, 56 Coot, 22 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 female Pochard, 4 Little Grebes, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Teal. 

Unfortunately, we also found a dead Tawny Owl beside the Thanet Way near Wagtail Farm. 

Matt was out earlier and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 41 Coot, 1 Teal, 1 female Pochard, 9 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 4 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 6 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels, 7 Gannets E, 3 Common Gulls, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank and 1 Marsh Harrier.

 July 23rd

On another uneventful morning we walked along the seawall to the Green Wall. We counted 3 Grey Herons, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Curlew, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Linnets, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Goldfinches and 4 Sand Martins.

Between 0600 and 0830 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment and back via Minnis Bay. He counted 3 Little Egrets, 10 Common Sandpipers, 2 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 1 Hobby W, 2 Stonechats and 1 Willow Warbler.

 July 22nd

It was a uneventful walk along the sea wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons this morning. All we counted was 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cormorants, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Meadow Pipits, 5 Cormorants, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Linnets, 2 Gannets, 2 Curlew and 8 Sand Martins.

Last evening we received information concerning a female Bearded Tit we ringed at one of our sites at Shuart Farm on 23rd October 2024. It was controlled on 25th June at Nagden Marsh, Faversham by Jan Pritchard and had flown 23km W.

Female Bearded Tit ring number BAF0652

 July 21st

After very heavy overnight rain, 37mm at Bishopstone, there was significant flooding this morning on the the road to Reculver. As the rain moved north we walked along the seawall at Reculver and counted 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 21 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Black Redstart on the rocks at the car park, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Linnets, 3 Reed Warblers and 2 Sandwich Terns flying W.

As we got back to Reculver we met Matt who then walked along the seawall to Plumpudding. He counted 7 Common Sandpipers, 1 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Ringed Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 26 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Terns, 20 Whimbrel, 1 Gannet, 21 Great Black-backed Gulls, 258 Swifts flying W, 1 Marsh Harrier and 5 Stonechats.

At about 1120 we had 60 Swifts flying west high over our garden a Bishopstone. 

 July 20th

It was cloudy this morning with showers threatening as we walked at Reculver. We saw 1 Kestrel, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Shovelers, 1 Common Tern, 46 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 15 Sand Martins, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Redshank, 40 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Teal, 1 Common Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gulls and in the afternoon added 8 Common Sandpipers and 1 Little Ringed Plover.

 July 19th

After heavy overnight rain it was damp and humid this morning as Matt walked along the seawall from Reculver. He counted 340 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 Little Egrets, 86 Common Scoter flying E, 16 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Redshank in Coldharbour including a juvenile, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Stonechats, 2 Stonechats, 14 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great White Egret flying W at sea, 2 Teal W, 7 Whimbrel, 31 Great Black-baced Gulls, 4 Turnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Sandwich Terns, 78 Common Terns W, 7 Gannets, 1 Kittiwake W, 1 Curlew, 16 Oystercatchers, Swifts heard flying high up and 2 Common Gulls.

Derek Smith was out at 0600 and walked from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour. He counted 2 Little Egrets, 1 Great White Egret flying high offshore at Plumpudding, 24 Sandwich Terns, 55 Common Terns, 3 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 1 Dunlin W, 12 Common Sandpipers, 7 Whimbrel E, 4 Curlew E, 7 Swifts E, 53 Swallows and 30 Sand Martins W and 2 Stonechats. 

July 18th

It was very warm again this morning as we had a ringing session at Shuart Farm. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Green Sandpiper, the first 2 Willow Warblers of the autumn, 1 Crossbill flying W, 45 Whitethroats, 30 Reed Warblers, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Lapwings W, 25 Linnets, 1 Greenshank, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 10 Swallows, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 14 Greylag Geese.

Birds ringed 97: Willow Warbler 2, Wren 4, Whitethroat 41, Reed Warbler 24, Goldfinch 3, Great Tit 4, Cetti's Warbler 2, Robin 1, Linnet 3, Sedge Warbler 4, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

First year Grasshopper Warbler

 

Adult Willow Warbler

 July 17th

We spent a warm and humid morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 50 Whitethroats, 40 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whimbrel flying W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sedge Warblers and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 83: Wren 2, Whitethroat 37, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blue Tit 1, Reed Warbler 29, Sedge Warbler 5, Linnet 3, Reed Bunting 2, Dunnock 2.

Derek Smith walked from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour between 0500 and 0800. He counted 9 Little Egrets, 11 Gannets flying W, 2 summer plumaged Turnstones, 4 Redshank, 1 Greenshank flying W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 45 Mediterranean Gulls, 290 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Terns and 2 Stonechats. 

This evening we received the ringing information of two Reed Warblers we controlled on the Marsh this morning. The first had been ringed as a first year bird at Icklesham, East Sussex on 8th August 2023 and the other was ringed at Sandwich Bay Estate on 26th July 2024.

 July 16th

It was breezy again this morning as we walked at Reculver and counted 6 Mute Swans, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 32 Coot, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Pied Wagtails, 30 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaffs and 8 Mediterranean Gulls flying W. 

 July 15th

On another bright and breezy morning we walked inland at Reculver where we recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Blackcap, 4 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Pied Wagtails, 34 Coot, 3 juvenile Little Egrets, 1 Lapwing, 15 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Common Gulls, 3 Shoveler, 21 Mallard, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 female Tufted Duck with 6 small ducklings and also 2 larger ducklings, 1 Swallow and 1 Chiffchaff.

Second calendar year Common Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull

July 14th

After an early morning shower passed through we spent the morning ringing at Reculver where there was a moderate westerly wind blowing. Birds we saw included 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 40 Coot, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 26 Mallard, 5 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels, 6 Mute Swans,  20 Sand Martins, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Greenfinches, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 34: Chiffchaff 4, Wren 4, Whitethroat 1, Robin 5, Blackcap 8, Reed Warbler 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 2. 

 July 13th

It was cooler and overcast this morning as we walked at Reculver and recorded 14 Sand Martins, 36 Coot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Lapwing, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Ravens, 4 Pied Wagtails, 12 Linnets, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Gadwall, 15 Mallard, 3 Shoveler and 1 Kestrel.

 July 12th

There was a pleasant easterly breeze blowing this morning as we had walked at Reculver. Birds we saw included 8 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Sand Martins, 22 Mallard, 3 Lapwings, 2 Chiffchaffs, 20 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (169th), 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Egret and 6 Mediterranean Gulls flying E.

Black-tailed Godwit

 July 11th

We spent a warm morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Crossbills flying W, 12 Sedge Warblers, 30 Reed Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Mediterranean Gulls drifting E, 1 Siskin and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 61: Wren 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Reed Warbler 21, Whitethroat 6, Cetti's Warbler 6, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 2, Blackcap 2, Reed Bunting 4, Robin 2, Sedge Warbler 10, Goldfinch 2, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

Juvenile Sedge Warbler

 July 10th

On another hot morning we walked along the seawall at Reculver and recorded 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Oystercatchers, 18 Sand Matins, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Stonechats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Ringed Plovers, 28 Mediterranean Gulls flying E, 4 Linnets, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Little Egrets and 4 Swallows W.

Derek Smith was out at 0500 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour. He counted 6 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 81 Mediterranean Gulls, 22 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Firecrest singing at Shuart.

 July 9th

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 18 Blackcaps, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 17 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 18 Whitethroats, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Sand Martins, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Whimbrel W, 2 Red Kites W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Crossbills NW and 1 Greenfinch.

Birds ringed 78: Wren 3, Long-tailed Tits 1, Chiffchaff 12, Linnet 6, Whitethroat 10, Reed Bunting 1, Goldfinch 6, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 3, Robin 4, Chaffinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 4, Great Tit 3, Blue Tit 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 15, Dunnock 5. 

 July 8th

There was still a chilly NW breeze blowing this morning as we walked at Reculver and saw 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Cormorants, 4 Goldfinches, 29 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Whitethroats, 13 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Whimbrel W.

 July 7th

On a cooler morning with a fresh northerly wind blowing in occasional drizzle we spent and hour at Reculver. All we counted was 14 Black-headed Gulls, 37 Herring Gulls, 16 Gannets E, 16 Mediterranean Gulls E, 7 Cormorants, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls and 1 Curlew. 

Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 27 Gannets E, 28 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Stonechat, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Turnstone, 1 Hobby and 1 Swift. 

July 6th

As the overnight rain cleared away to the east at 0800 we had a walk along the seawall at Reculver. We saw 19 Mediterranean Gulls mainly flying E, 2 Pied Wagtails, 19 Linnets, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sedge Warbler, Grey Heron and 1 Blackcap.

Wall Brown on the Roman Wall

 

The Duke of Argyll's Tea Plant

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. He counted 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Ringed Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 71 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 1 Gannet, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Swifts and 1 Common Buzzard. 

 July 5th

It was cloudy this morning on our walk at Reculver where we recorded 2 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 juvenile Grey Wagtail, 6 Little Egrets, 1 juvenile Yellow Wagtail, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Mute Swans, 16 Coot, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron and 13 Mallard. 

This afternoon Dave Smith counted 30 Swifts moving W at Reculver.

July 4th

This morning we walked inland at Reculver and counted 4 Reed Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 25 Jackdaw, 27 Mallard, 4 Little Grebes, 16 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Sand Martins, 4 Blackcap, 15 Linnets, 1 Corn Bunting, 12 Whitethroats, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Little Egrets, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 1 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

 July 3rd

On a sunny morning with a cool northerly breeze blowing we had a walk along the seawall from Reculver. We recorded 6 Golfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Linnets, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Cormorants and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Herring Gull family

 July 2nd

After yesterday's very hot temperature of 32.2℃ this morning was much cooler as Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He counted 200 Starlings, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 18 Little Egrets, 4 Stonechats, 14 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, 16 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Gulls, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 5 Swifts, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Pochard and 1 Hobby.

Migrant Hawker

 July 1st

It was very hot as we walked at Reculver this morning and recorded 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Reed Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Goldfinches, 6 Mute Swans, 11 Greylag Geese, 4 Little Egret, 28 Mallard,  1 Corn Bunting, 2 Whitethroats, 32 Coot, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 40 Jackdaws.

Pyramidal Orchids at Chamber's Wall