August 31st
This morning we walked along the seawall to the Wantsum outflow and saw 1 Wheatear, 4 Little Egret, 12 Sandwich Terns, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 17 Mallard, 4 Teal, 4 Grey Herons, 9 Meadow Pipits, 37 Linnets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Shelduck, 21 Ringed Plovers, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Common Tern, 1 Marsh Harrier, 74 Golden Plovers, 2 Redshank, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Chiffchaff.
August 30th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Ravens, 1 Firecrest, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Reed Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whinchat, 6 Swallows W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Birds ringed 39: Long-tailed Tit 13, Blackcap 8, Whitethroat 7, Reed Warbler 3, Robin 1, Blue Tit 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1.
August 29th
This morning there was a fresh southerly wind driving in heavy showers so we decided to spent three hours seawatching at Reculver. We counted 2 Whimbrel flying E, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 Swallows, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Swift flying in off the sea and spending an hour in the rain feeding around the Towers, 1 Peregrine, 17 Cormorants, 6 Oystercatchers, 13 Sandwich Terns, 89 Common Terns W, 1 Greenshank E, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Arctic Skua W, 1 Gannet E and 1 Wheatear in off the sea.
Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back and recorded 285 Common Terns W, 6 Black Terns W (179th), 10 Sandwich Terns, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Wood Sandpiper in off the sea, 11 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Greenshank, 19 Oystercatchers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Whitethroats, 101 Mallard, 4 Syonechats, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Ringed Plovers, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit E, 1 Turnstone, 5 Swallows, 60 Golden Plovers, 1 Arctic Skua W and 1 Gannet.
August 28th
After some welcome overnight rain we spent the morning ring at Reculver where we counted 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Mandarin Ducks, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 28 Gadwall, 15 Mallard, 8 Little Grebes, 8 Tufted Ducks, 92 Coot, 1 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine and 2 Grey Wagtails.
Birds ringed 25: Wren 5, Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 9, Reed Warbler 5, Garden Warbler 1.
 |
| Garden Warbler |
August 27th
On a humid and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 2 Grey Herons, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Swallow, 8 Linnets, 62 Golden Plovers, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 1 female Marsh Harrier and 1 Chiffchaff.
 |
| Part of the flock of 62 Golden Plovers on the fields near Coldharbour |
August 26th
Although it was warm this morning there was fresh westerly breeze blowing as we walked at Reculver. We counted 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Jays, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Gadwall, 65 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 84 Coot, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher, 1 female Marsh Harriers flying W out at sea and 1 Swallow.
Matt was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall to the Green Wall and Coldharbour. He recorded 2 Grey Herons, 2 Whinchats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Swallows, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Little Egret, 3 Kestrels, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Common Buzzards.
 |
| Whinchat - Matt Hindle |
August 25th
We spent a warm and sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Kestrels, 12 Reed Warblers, 2 Mallard, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Hobby hunting dragonflies, 2 Jays and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Birds ringed 48: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2, Blackcap 16, Whitethroat 9, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 9, Goldfinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Dunnock 1.
August 24th
It was very quiet at Reculver this morning with nothing new to be seen. We recorded 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Goldfinches, 6 Mute Swans, 82 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 1 Whitethroat 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Little Grebes, 51 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Mandarin, 11 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sand Martins and 1 Little Egret.
 |
| Painted Lady |
Matt was out on the Marsh this afternoon and found a juvenile Purple Heron beside the River Wantsum near Chamber's Wall.
August 23rd
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we counted 4 Common Sandpipers, 82 Coot, 11 Little Grebes, 10 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 60 Mallard, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Buzzards, 42 Swallows, 2 Jays, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 House Martins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldfinches and 3 Sand Martins. We also found a Willow Emerald Damselfly.
Birds ringed 17: Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Goldfinch 2, Blue Tit 2, Reed Warbler 2, Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1, Woodpigeon 1.
August 22nd
At last the wind had dropped so we were able to spent the morning ringing at Shuart. We counted 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 14 Sedge Warblers, 20 Reed Warblers, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 24 Linnets, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whinchat (178th), 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel and 1 Hobby.
Birds ringed 63: Wren 2, Willow Warbler 1, Blue Tit 1, Reed Warbler 16, Blackcap 4, Whitethroat 7, Cetti's Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 11, Reed Bunting 3, Robin 1, Linnet 2, Whinchat 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 4, Greenfinch 2, Blackbird 3.
 |
| First year Whinchat |
August 21st
Matt had a seawatch at Reculver from 0600 to 0930 and we joined him for an hour before we had a walk inland. Matt's final totals were 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 22 Common Terns, 169 Sandwich Terns E, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern E (176th), 6 Arctic Skuas, 4W and 2 E, 43 Teal W, 2 Guillemots, 14 Gannets, 1 juvenile Little Gull W (177th), 2 Great Crested Grebes and 8 Common Sandpipers.
Anne and my walk inland produced 1 Song Thrush, 4 Common Sandpipers, 58 Coot, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Mandarin Ducks, 11 Little Grebes, 22 Gadwall, 16 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
August 20th
We arrived at Reculver at 0730 where Matt had been seawatching since 0545 and we birded with him until 0945. Matt's final totals were 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Whimbrel, 51 Sandwich Terns, 28 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua E, 2 Kittiwakes, 14 Gannets, 1 Fulmar E, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E, 9 Common Terns, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Teal W, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua E (175th), 1 Peregrine, 1 Garganey flying E with 11 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret and 1 juvenile Guillemot close in on the sea.
August 19th
On another breezy morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 1 Wheatear sitting on a barn roof, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Whitethroats, 26 Mallard, 82 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Swallows, 6 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 1 female Mandarin, 2 Jay, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 19 Common Scoter, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and 1 Mediterranean Gull E.
August 18th
On a breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and returned with heavy drizzle falling. We counted 11 Cormorants, 3 Grey Herons, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 3 Redshank, 9 Stonechats, 12 Little Egrets, 3 Greenshank, 1 male Ruff, 1 Wheatear, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 10 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 17 Golden Plovers, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Turnstone, 11 Ringed Plovers, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Gannets E, 1 Sparrowhawk, 20 Common Scoter E and 5 Goldfinches.
 |
| Wheatear |
August 17th
This morning we walked at Reculver and saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Mute Swans, 72 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 44 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Jays, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Gannets flying E, 1 Whimbrel flying E, 12 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows.
August 16th
With a change in the weather and a cool NE wind blowing I joined Matt, Dave Smith and Brendan Ryan at the Towers for a rather disappointing seawatch. Between 0530 and 0800 we counted 16 Common Scoter E, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Kittiwakes E, 47 Common Terns E, 58 Sandwich Terns E, 12 Mediterranean Gulls E, 8 Dunlin W, 2 Arctic Skuas W (174th), 1 Whimbrel E and 1 juvenile Common Gull.
After this Anne and I walked inland and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Greenshank, 4 Little Grebes, 56 Coot, 42 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 5 Common Sandpipers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Lapwings, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 female Mandarin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Grey Partridges, 2 Jays and 4 Black-tailed Godwits flying E.
 |
| Female Mandarin Duck |
August 15th
It wasn't quite so humid today as we spent the morning ringing at Reculver. We counted 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers, 63 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 45 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 11 Grey Partridges, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 7 Jays, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Swallows and 1 Blackcap.
Birds ringed 22: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Robin 2, Pied Flycatcher 1, Great Tit 2, Reed Warbler 3, Blackcap 1, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3
 |
| First year Pied Flycatcher |
August 14th
After early morning cloud the sun came out as we spent the morning ringing at another site at Shuart. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Sedge Warblers, 14 Reed Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Whitethroats, 25 Goldfinches, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harriers, 35 Linnets, 8 Swallows, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Stock Doves, 20 House Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Birds ringed 50: Wren 2, Whitethroat 14, Blackcap 8, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 11, Sedge Warbler 5, Cetti's Warbler 4, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Dunnock 1.
 |
| First year Grasshopper Warbler |
August 13th
We spent the morning ringing at one of our sites at Shuart where we saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Hobby, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Mallard, 1 Tree Pipit, 15 Reed Warblers and 5 Sedge Warblers.
Birds ringed 42: Willow Warbler 2, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 12, Robin 1, Whitethroat 11, Reed Bunting 1, Goldfinch 5, Blue Tit 2, Sedge Warbler 3, Great Tit 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Linnet 2.
 |
| First year Sedge Warbler |
August 12th
We spent another warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 62 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 1 female Mandarin (173rd), 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 eclipse male Garganey, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 68 Mallard, 10 Whitethroats, 20 Blackcaps, 8 Reed Warblers, 8 Willow Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Lapwings W, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Common Buzzards and 5 Long-tailed Tits.
Birds ringed 65: Willow Warbler 5, Wren 2, Long-tailed Tit 4, Chiffchaff 2, Blue Tit 7, Blackcap 11, Whitethroat 6, Robin 6, Reed Warbler 11, Cetti's Warbler 3, Great Tit 3, Reed Bunting 1, Blackbird 4.
This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Minnis Bay and Plumpudding and counted 1 Shelduck, 2 Cuckoos, 8 Golden Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great White Egret flying E, 4 Marsh Harriers, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wheatear and 5 Yellow Wagtails.
August 11th
We spent a warm morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Sandpiper, 33 Ringed Plovers flying S, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 9 Greylag Geese, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Swallow.
Birds ringed 34: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warblers 5, Whitethroat 15, Sedge Warbler 2, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Robin 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blackbird 2, Green Woodpecker 1.
 |
| Adult Common Whitethroat |
 |
| First year Lesser Whitethroat |
Also this morning Marc Heath had a Wood Sandpiper and 2 Snipe fly in off the sea at Bishopstone.
August 10th
On a warm and sunny morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver and saw 2 Goldfinches, 10 Cormorants, 4 Meadow Pipits, 7 Little Egrets, 14 Stonechats, 18 Linnets, 3 Swallows W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Corn Buntings, 3 Turnstones, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Mallard, 5 Ringed Plovers, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Sedge Warblers and 1 Grey Heron. We also found 2 Clouded Yellows.
.JPG) |
| Clouded Yellow |
Dave Smith was also out this morning and from 0530 walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall. He saw 1 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plovers, 31 Lapwings, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 25 Turntone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 juvenile Marsh Harriers, 1 Barn Owl, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Hobby, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 15 Whitethoats, 1 Stonechat and 3 YellowWagtails.
This afternoon Matt walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 juvenile Ruff, 6 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 55 Coot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 200 Rooks, 48 Mallard and 2 Teal.
August 9th
This morning at Reculver we recorded 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Cormorants, 2 Jays, 4 Common Sandpipers, 56 Coot, 32 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Little Grebes, 1 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Warblers and 2 Whitethroats.
August 8th
Our walk at Reculver this morning produced 2 Common Buzzards, 39 Gadwall, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Jay, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Duck, 56 Coot, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Little Egret.
Derek Smith was out at Shuart at 0600 and walked along the embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 1 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Marsh Harriers, including 5 juveniles, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 3 Lapwings, 4 Redshank, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Sandpipers, 1 Wheatear, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Reed Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs.
August 7th
The first four birds we saw at Reculver this morning were 3 Wheatears arriving off the sea and 1 Black Redstart on the rocks. Other birds seen included 18 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 6 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Corn Buntings, 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Stonechats, 3 Mallard, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
 |
| Juvenile Mediterranean Gull |
August 6th
On a glorious summer morning we walked along the seawall at Reculver and saw 6 Little Egrets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear, 7 Cormorants, 13 Linnets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Stonechats, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, low over the seawall, and calling repeatedly and 2 Sandwich Terns.
August 5th
It was a bright and sunny morning at Reculver but there was a chilly NW breeze blowing. We saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Mute Swans, 32 Coot, 1 Red Kite, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Gadwall, 1 Greenshank, 8 Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Cormorants, 3 Shoveler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Mallard, 2 Sand Martins and 4 Mediterranean Gulls flying W out at sea.
August 4th
It was warm and sunny this morning and increasingly windy as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. We counted 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 11 Cormorants, 17 Little Egrets, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Whimbrel W, 17 Swallows W, 1 Sand Martin W, 3 Grey Herons, 38 Linnets, 9 Meadow Pipits, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Mallard, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W and calling, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Kestrel.
 |
| Wheatear |
August 3rd
On a sunny morning we began by walking at Chamber's Wall where we saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Sedge Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Linnets, 1 Kestrel and 2 Swallows. We also saw a Brown Hawker sunning itself on a bramble bush. We then visited Reculver and recorded 1 Red Kite drifting high E, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Mute Swans, 11 Grey Partridges, 2 adults and 9 half grown young, 38 Coot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Little Grebes and 3 Sand Martins.
August 2nd
Our walk at Reculver this morning produced 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 28 Mallard, 7 Mute Swans, 42 Coot, 22 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Jay.
Nick Hando was in the Minnis Bay area over the weekend and recorded 14 Whimbrel and 6 Common Sandpipers as well as about 500 Mediterranean Gulls with other gulls. At the Wantsum he saw a Kingfisher and at Plumpudding 12 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone and 4 Ringed Plovers. He also found a Clouded Yellow butterfly near the embankment.
August 1st
On a bright and breezy morning we walked along the seawall to the Green Wall and on our return to Reculver identified a juvenile Purple Heron flying W out at sea (171st). Initially it was flying low over the waves at the distance of the green buoy but then started to fly towards the shore but was soon greeted by the local gulls. It then turned around and flew back out towards the wind farm. This is the 16th record of a Purple Heron in the recording area. I managed to take an awful distant photo with my bridge camera which, with a bit of zooming, shows its large feet.
 |
| Very distant view of Purple Heron later seen at Swalecliffe |
 |
| Sunflower field |
