January 31st

It was bright and chilly this morning as I walked along the seawall at Reculver and saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Skylarks, 3 Redshank, 44 Corn Buntings, 24 Linnets, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers E, 38 Ringed Plovers, 10 Mallard, 105 Carrion Crows, 56 Great Crested Grebes and 520 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Ringed Plovers

 Matt was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He counted 1 immature male Black Redstart, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 89 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Red-throated Divers E, 990 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Corn Buntings, 3 Golden Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 43 Ringed Plovers, 180 Sanderling, 80 Grey Plovers, 75 Turnstone, 47 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 16 Curlew, 60 Dunlin and 3 White-fronted Geese flying W.

Sunrise - Matt Hindle

 January 30th

Matt had a look at rainy Reculver this morning and saw 1 Black Redstart, 61 Great Crested Grebes, 137 Red-throated Divers flying E, 333 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Guillemot flying E. 3 large auks flying E, 1 Teal and 21 Gannet.

 January 29th

On a cold and overcast morning I visited Minnis Bay and walked up to Plumpudding lagoon. Birds I saw included 40 Common Scoter flying E, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Curlew, 95 Oystercatchers, 1,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 76 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 15 Linnets, 150 Sanderling, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Mallard, 28 Grey Plovers, 42 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plovers, 4 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Corn Bunting singing.

Rock Pipit

 January 28th

On a sunny afternoon I had a walk at Reculver where I recorded 35 Stock Doves, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Chaffinches, 3 Redwings, 16 Teal, 68 Coot, 20 Gadwall, 26 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel and 1 singing Mistle Thrush. 

 January 27th

This morning I spent forty five minutes in the pouring rain and strong southerly wind of Storm Chandra seawatching at Reculver. Virtually all birds were flying E and included 102 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Guillemot (115th), 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 65 Herring Gulls, 11 Red-throated Divers, 1 Curlew, 5 Ringed Plovers W and 3 Kittiwakes.

Matt had a seawatch at Minnis Bay between 1030 and 1200 and saw 1 Rock Pipit, 143 Red-throated Divers E, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Gannets E, 1 Common Scoter E, 5 Kittiwakes E, 1 Fulmar W (116th), 68 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

 January 26th

On another overcast afternoon I had a short stroll at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 82 Coot, 18 Gadwall, 46 Mallard, 14 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Jay. 

 January 25th

It was overcast and there was a chilly south easterly breeze blowing this morning as I walked along the seawall from Reculver. I counted 2 Cetti's Warblers, 656 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 1,100 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull, 4 Redshank, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 22 Corn Buntings, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Ringed Plovers, 14 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 4 Oystercatchers ansd 1 Curlew.

 January 24th

On a sunny morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 27 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Northern Diver W, 1,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Little Grebes, 36 Greylag Geese, 24 Lapwings, 3 Snipe, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 1 Yellowhammer, 80 Corn Buntings and 1 Rock Pipit.

 January 23rd

Matt had a seawatch at Minnis Bay this afternoon where he saw 12 Red-throated Divers, 3 Gannets, 1 Razorbill (114th), 40 Grey Plovers, 45 Turnstone, 20 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Great Crested Grebes. 

Later he walked at Reculver and counted 2 Chiffchaffs, 32 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 44 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 80 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing and 1 Common Buzzard.

 January 22nd

I had a relatively quiet walk at Reculver this afternoon where I saw a male Peregrine, 1 Common Buzzard, 22 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 12 Teal, 34 Mallard, 31 Gadwall, 86 Coot and 7 Tufted Duck.

 January 20th

On a sunny morning with a chilly southerly breeze blowing I had an hour to walk along the seawall from Reculver. Birds I saw included 416 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 25 Ringed Plovers, 2 Mallard, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Redshank, 3 Meadow Pipits, 13 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Turnstone, 16 Linnets, 22 Corn Buntings, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Curlew and 2 Grey Partridges.

Grey Partridges

Pied Wagtail

 January 18th

This morning I walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall and counted 217 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 male Goldeneye flying E (110th), 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Mute Swans, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Redshank, 24 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 63 Corn Buntings, 8 Meadow Pipits, 18 Linnets, 30 Carrion Crows, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 first winter male Black Redstart.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Brooksend to Minnis Bay, Shuart and Netherhale. He saw 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Common Buzzards, 700 Lapwings, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Grey Herons, 3 Barnacle Geese, 29 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose with 4 hybrids, 4 Corn Buntings, 140 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Red-throated Divers, 65 Redshank, 1,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 110 White-fronted Geese, 35 SW and 75 E, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Firecrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Egyptian Goose (111th).

Also this morning, Steve Blaskett found 3 Snow Buntings on the beach between Reculver and Coldharbour (112th) and a Short-eared Owl in the Oyster Farm (113th).

 January 17th

It was sunny with the occasional shower as I walked at Reculver this morning where I saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 28 Chaffinches, 1 Firecrest, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Tufted Duck, 36 Gadwall, 54 Mallard, 84 Coot, 3 Teal, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Redshank and 1 Grey Wagtail. There were also 11 Great Crested Grebes sitting on the sea off the Towers.

 January 16th

This morning there was a female Blackcap in our garden at Bishopstone (109th). 

I had a walk at Reculver this afternoon where I saw 3 Redwings, 3 Linnets, 2 Black Redstarts around the Towers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Meadow Pipits and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.

First winter male Black Redstart

 January 15th

I spent forty minutes at Reculver this morning in the pouring rain and counted 468 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 immature Great Northern Diver feeding on crabs close in at the Towers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 adult Gannet E, 1 Great Black-backed Gull and 6 Cormorants.

Later Matt had a seawatch at Minnis Bay where he counted 25 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Red-throated Divers, 5 Shelduck W and 7 Common Scoter, 3W and 4E (108th).

 January 13th

On an overcast morning I managed a walk at Reculver just before the threatened heavy rain arrived. I counted 38 Lapwings, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 60 Mallard, 34 Gadwall, 76 Coot, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Water Rail, 4 Teal, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Moorhens, 1 Raven, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Common Buzzard.

At 2015 this evening there was a Long-eared Owl calling at Bishopstone. 

Today we received information concerning a male Reed Bunting we ringed at Shuart on 11th October 2024. It had been controlled at Richborough, 9 km SSE, on 16th December 2025 by the East Kent Wildlife Group. 

 January 12th

On a miserable afternoon I had a brief walk at Shuart where I recorded 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Red-legged Partridges and 4 Meadow Pipits.

 January 11th

On another freezing morning I had an hour's walk at Reculver where I recorded 32 Lapwings, 2 Little Egrets, 35 Chaffinches, 86 Mallard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Goldfinches, 68 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 75 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Redwing.

 January 10th

On a cold and sunny morning with a brisk northerly wind blowing we had a seawatch at Reculver where we counted 19 Pintail W, 11 Wigeon W, 6 Teal W, 1 Shelduck W, 3 Dunlin, 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Lapwings, 10 Ringed Plovers, 6 Gannets, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Kittiwakes, 1 Marsh Harrier W at sea, 300 Herring Gulls, 200 Black-headed Gulls and 35 Common Gulls. Later, a walk inland produced 147 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 88 Coot, 87 Mallard, 11 Moorhens and 1 Grey Heron.

 January 9th

Although Storm Goretti let Reculver off relatively lightly it was still very wet with a gale force NW wind blowing. Matt spent from 0800 to 1030 at Reculver and counted 12 Teal W, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 1 Great Northern Diver W (105th), 2 Kittiwakes W (106th), 650 Herring Gulls W, 55 Common Gulls W, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls W.

I spent forty minutes at Reculver this afternoon where the only birds I saw other than Herring, Common and Black-headed Gulls were 2 male Pintail flying W (107th).

 January 8th

On a calm, overcast and drizzly afternoon, Matt had a brief walk at Minnis Bay where he saw 1 Rock Pipit (104th), 25 Redshank, 30 Sanderling and 59 Great Crested Grebes.

Redshank - Matt Hindle

 January 7th

This afternoon Matt had a walk at Minnis Bay and saw 1 Purple Sandpiper (103rd), 102 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Red-throated Divers, 2 Teal flying W, Tufted Duck 2 flying W, 163 Sanderling, 14 Curlew, 500 Cormorants and 60 Common Gulls.

While Matt was at Minnis Bay I had a walk at Reculver where I saw 37 Mute Swans, 28 Chaffinches, 9 Cormorants, 38 Mallard, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 72 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes and 60 Coot.

Female Sparrowhawk

 January 6th

On a sunny but freezing morning I spent an hour at Reculver where I counted 18 Chaffinches, 1 Green Sandpiper, 41 Tufted Duck, 90 Mallard, 210 Teal, 6 Goldfinches, 42 Coot, 2 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Lapwings, 7 Golden Plover, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Barn Owl.

Matt was also out at Reculver for three hours and saw 1 Lapwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 91 Mallard, 41 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 216 Teal, 113 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebes, 82 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Water Rails, 17 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Peregrine (101st), 800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 60 Golden Plover, 60 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat and 3 adult Shags flying E (102nd).

 January 5th

On another freezing morning Matt birded at Reculver and then briefly at Shuart. At Reculver he counted 1 Grey Heron, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Firecrest, 1 Yellowhammer, 80 Coot, 220 Teal, 81 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Water Rails, 73 Mallard, 5 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail and 80 Golden Plovers. At Shuart he saw 1 Mistle Thrush (98th) and 2 Woodcock (99th).

Gadwall - Matt Hindle

I had an hour's walk at Reculver this evening where I saw 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, 72 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 60 Gadwall, 200 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 1 Lapwing and 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier (100th).

 January 4th

On another freezing morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 1 Black Redstart, 90 Gadwall, 186 Teal, 2 Pochard  (92nd), 2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 90 Mallard, 92 Coot, 4 Little Grebes, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe (93rd), 11 Snipe (94th), 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Firecrest, 142 Golden Plovers, 1 Kingfisher (95th), 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck (96th), 9 Lapwings, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Stonechat, 1 Raven and 1 Chiffchaff.

 

Dark-bellied Brent Geese - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith was also out walking from Shuart to Plumpudding and saw 1 Greylag Goose, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 5 Coot, 19 Golden Plovers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 45 Redshank, 5 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Mediterranean Gull (97th), 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 100 Chaffinches, 75 Linnets, 4 Corn Buntings and 6 Yellowhammers. 

 January 3rd

On a sunny, freezing and windy morning Matt and I spent an hour birding at Reculver. We saw 1 Kestrel, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Firecrest, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 58 Gadwall, 76 Teal, 112 Mallard, 11 Tufted Duck, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shoveler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Greylag Goose and 2 Red-throated Divers. 

 January 1st

On a bright and cold morning, with Anne still convalescing, I only had an hour this morning walking at Reculver. However, I managed to record 40 species including 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Chaffinches, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 44 Gadwall, 58 Mallard, 6 Teal, 84 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Black Redstarts, 1 inland and 1 male on the seawall by the Towers.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and completed the Shuart and Brooksend loop. He counted 6 Canada Geese, 13 Mallard, 20 Teal, 7 Red-legged Patridges, 30 Coot, 3 Oystercatchers, 45 Grey Plovers, 3 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 100 Sanderling, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jays, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Wagtail, 27 Pied Wagtails and 30 Chaffinches.

Matt was up early and from 0540 to 0700 checked several locations in the area and managed to see or hear 2 Tawny Owls, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Little Owl, 2 Barn Owls and 1 Grey Partridge. 

He then birded the Reculver area before walking from the Towers along the seawall to Minnis Bay, then over to Brooksend and Shuart before returning to Reculver via the railway embankment. He managed to record 82 species for the day. His highlights were 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests, 11 Tufted Duck, 41 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 3 Water Rails, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 206 Golden Plovers, 800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 immature Greater Scaup, 76 Redshank, 80 Grey Plovers, 200 Sanderling, 60 Dunlin and 20 Curlew. 

 

First winter Greater Scaup with Tufted Duck - Matt Hindle

 Julian and Alex Perry were also out from 0730 to 1600 and their highlights were 1 Raven, 3 Barnacle Geese, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, 4 Yellowhammers, 14 Grey Partridges, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Fieldfare and to their great surprise a Turtle Dove in the middle of the road at Reculver Lane. 

This makes an overall total for the day of 91 species.