May 31st

We spent a breezy morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Oystercatcher, 10 Coot, 15 Mallard, 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Jays, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Hobby, 3 Kestrels, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15 Sand Martins, 2 Swifts, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Red Kites flying W, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Gadwall.

Birds ringed 21: Chiffchaff 3, Reed Warbler 4, Great Tit 7, Blue Tit 3, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 2. 

 May 30th

It was yet another very warm and sunny morning as we walked at Reculver. Birds we saw included 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Common Buzzards, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 24 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 8 Greylag Geese, 10 Coot, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Red Kites flying W, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Little Egret. We also heard the Marsh Warbler singing briefly.

Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Gannets E, 2 adult Avocets with 1 young, 4 adult Oystercatchers with 1 young, 2 Redshank and 13 Red Kites flying W.

 May 29th

The highlight of our walk at Reculver this morning was finding a singing Marsh Warbler (164th). Other birds we saw included 3 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Greylag Geese, 10 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 2 Green Woodpeckers. 

 

Marsh Warbler - Jonathan Singlewood Dodds

 May 28th

It was a pleasant late spring morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver and recorded 4 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Meadow Pipits, 9 Cormorants, 16 Linnets, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Mallard, 5 Gannets flying E and 2 Stonechats. We also found a young Grey Seal hauled up onto the beach.

Grey Seal

 

Ringed Plover

Dave Smith's completed his regular walk from Shuart to Coldharbour this morning and saw 6 Greylag Geese, 10 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Avocets, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Terns, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Sand Martins, 7 Swallows, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 1 Stonechat.

Matt also found a Norfolk Hawker at Shuart this morning.

 May 27th

Although it was still sunny this morning a breeze had blown up off the North Sea overnight making conditions much more comfortable. At Reculver we recorded 6 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Terns, 1 second calendar year Kittiwake sitting on the sea off the Towers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Buzzards, 30 Sand Martins, 4 Shelduck, 10 Coot, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 9 Greylag Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 18 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Blackcaps.

Mute Swan family

 

Second calendar year Kittiwake

Dave Smith was out this morning at Shuart and walked to Coldharbour. He saw 9 Mallard, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Avocets, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 male Marsh Harriers, 1 Hobby, 5 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows.

Pyramidal Orchid - Dave  Smith

 

Common Broomrape - Dave Smith

 May 26th

It was even hotter this morning as we had a walk at Reculver and recorded 6 Blackcaps, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Mute Swans, 20 Sand Martins, 3 Pied Wagtails, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Skylarks, 3 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 3 Gadwall, 18 Mallard, 6 Reed Warblers, 5 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Mediterranean Gull.

 May 25th

We were out early this morning to avoid the threatened scorching temperatures and walked out onto the Marsh. We counted 10 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Whitethroats, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 22 Mallard, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Shelduck, 7 Mute Swans, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 10 Coot, 12 Sand Martins, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Skylarks and 1 Common Tern. There were also good numbers of Painted Lady butterflies to be seen.

Painted Lady

 

 May 24th

With the sunny weather continuing we spent the morning ringing at Reculver. We saw a good range of species including 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Common Terns, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Mediterranean Gulls flying W, 9 Greylag Geese, 1 Avocet, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 17 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 40 Sand Martins, 1 Golden Oriole singing in the same place as yesterday, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 8 Mute Swans including 5 young cygnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jays, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kestrel, 10 Red Kites flying W, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sedge Warbler and 8 Reed Warblers.

Birds ringed 21: Long-tailed Tit 2, Wren 2, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 3, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

Dave Smith was out early at Shuart and walked to Coldharbour and back. He recorded 1 Mute Swan, 5 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Coot, 1 Avocet, 14 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Gannet, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Stonechats and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

May 23rd

It was even hotter this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and were greeted by a Golden Oriole (163rd) singing briefly in trees beside the railway. Other birds we saw included 4 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Skylarks, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 10 Greylag Geese, 4 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Partridge, 16 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Chiffchaff.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He recorded 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Shelduck, 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Stonechats, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Gadwall, 2 Avocets, 1 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

 May 22nd

On a sunny and increasingly hot morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall. We saw 7 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Skylarks, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Meadow Pipits, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Ringed Plovers, 14 Linnets, 1 Shelduck, 1 Greylag Geese, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard, 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 5 calling Mediterranean Gulls flying W, 3 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Stonechats feeding nestlings and 1 Grey Heron.

Turnstone

 Dave Smith was also out and walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour. His highlights included 1 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Avocet, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Terns, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 4 Swallows, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Stonechats including recently fledged young and 5 Yellow Wagtails.

Yellow-horned Poppy with Pollen Beetles - Dave Smith

 

 May 21st

On a mild morning we walked out onto the Marsh at Reculver and recorded 4 Skylarks, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Mallard, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Reed Warblers, 8 Linnets, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 3 Tufted Duck, 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Swallow, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Gadwall, 10 Coot, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Little Egret and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0515 and walked along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Barnacle Goose W, 2 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Avocets, 18 Sanderling, 4 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Common Tern S, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swifts W, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 Siskin W. 

Male Yellow Wagtail - Derek Smith

 May 20th

We didn't get out at Reculver until after lunch on a warm but breezy afternoon. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Greylag Geese, 8 Tufted Ducks, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Gadwall, 4 Skylarks, 2 Swifts and 6 Sand Martins.

 May 19th

On a wet morning with a fresh southerly wind blowing we spent and hour at Reculver where we counted 34 Swifts W, 17 House Martins W, 4 Swallows W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Gannet E, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W and 2 Pied Wagtails.

 May 18th

On a very pleasant spring morning we walked out onto the Marsh at Reculver and saw 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Skylarks, 4 Linnets, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Mallard, 1 Hobby, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Gadwall, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (162nd), 12 Sand Martins, 12 Greylag Geese, 10 Coot, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Swallows.

 

Spotted Flycatcher

 May 17th

After overnight showers our walk at Reculver produced 1 Swift W, 7 Swallows W, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Skylarks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Sand Martins, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 8 Coot, 10 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret and 2 Curlew.

Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Plumpudding and back and counted 10 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Marsh Harrier, 35 House Martins W, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Avocets, 47 Swallows W, 1 Common Sandpiper,  Swifts W, 1 Hobby W, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Tufted Duck.

 May 16th

On a bright and breezy morning we walked at Netherhale and recorded 3 Blackcaps, 3 Skylarks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 pairs of Little Egrets, 2 pairs of Grey Herons, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jay and 1 Kestrel. 

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment and back by way of Plumpudding and Brooksend. He counted 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 18 Greylag Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Avocets, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 19 Swallows W, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs and 1 Corn Bunting.

 May 15th

It was still cold this morning as we walked out onto the Marsh and counted 7 Swallows, 1 Common Tern, 5 Skylarks, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 8 Reed Warblers, 4 Shelduck, 10 Greylag Geese, 10 Coot, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls. 

Matt was out and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 3 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 15 Swallows W, 3 Swifts W, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Stonechats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Dave Smith walked from Shuart to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour. His highlights were 6 Greylag Geese, 7 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Cuckoos, 14 Swifts, 2 Avocets, 7 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 9 Swallows, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Corn Bunting.

 May 14th

With Arctic air flooding down the North Sea it was still surprisingly cold at Reculver this morning. Birds we saw on our walk inland included 2 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 6 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 1 Sedge Warbler, 16 Swallows, 6 Coot, 2 Gadwall and 2 Shelduck.

 May 13th

With a cold westerly wind blowing in showers we walked at Reculver and counted 13 Swallows flying W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Gadwall, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Reed Warblers, 12 Coot, 16 Sand Martins, 10 Greylag Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret and 6 Swifts flying W.

 May 12th

It was another chilly but sunny morning on our walk at Reculver. We saw 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 12 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 10 Sand Martins, 9 Reed Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 10 Coot, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Greylag Geese, 4 Whitethroats, 18 roosting Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Kestrel. 

 May 11th

There was still a chilly, northerly wind blowing this morning as we walked at Reculver and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 9 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sedge Warblers, 12 Coot, 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Hobbies chasing each other, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Partridges and 2 Gannets E.

Common Sandpiper

 

 May 10th

On an unpleasant morning with a fresh, chilly NE wind blowing we had a brief look at the sea at Reculver and counted 60 Herring Gulls flying E, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Great Crested Grebes on the sea and 3 Swifts.

 May 9th

This morning at Reculver we walked onto the Marsh and then had a look at the sea. We recorded 11 Whitethroats, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 15 Greylag Geese, 2 Blackcaps, 17 Mallard, 8 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Reed Warblers, 40 Sand Martins, 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 8 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Gadwall, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew and 1 Common Tern.

Singing male Pied Wagtail

 

 May 8th

On a sunny morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour where I met Matt and Dave Smith. I then walked back to Reculver with Matt whose final totals for the morning were 5 Stonechats, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 8 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 60 Sanderling, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redpoll W, 112 Stock Doves, 1 Greylag Goose, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Gannet, 2 Common Terns, 40 Swallows W, 2 Swifts W, 3 House Martins W, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew and 1 Kestrel.

David Smith walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Coldhabour and Plumpudding. His highlights were 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 112 Stock Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Common Sandpipers, 33 Sanderling, 1 Common Tern, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Gannet, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Red Kite W and 2 more near Reculver, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Stonechats, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Redpoll and 2 Corn Buntings.

 May 7th

We did the same walk as yesterday and recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 19 Greylag Geese, 21 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 10 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 5 Reed Warblers, 2 Gadwall, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Shelduck, 10 Sand Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Whimbrel E and 1 Great Crested Grebe. 

 May 6th

With a cold northerly wind blowing we walked inland at Reculver and later had a look at the sea. We counted 8 Swallows, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 12 Greylag Geese, 6 Coot, 1 Blackcap and 4 Sand Martins. At the sea we saw 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Eider on the sea, one immature male a one female, (161st), 6 Swallows W, 1 Swift W, 1 Little Egret and 2 Shelduck.

 May 5th

There was a chilly northerly breeze blowing and the tide was going out as I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. It was relatively quiet but I did count 7 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 15 Linnets, 5 Little Egrets, 7 Swallows W, 8 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Avocets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Sedge Warblers, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel and 1 Lesser Whitethroats.

Male Stonechat

 

 May 4th

On a dull and overcast morning we walked at Reculver where we recorded 4 Skylarks, 2 Whitethroats, 16 Sand Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 11 Greylag Geese, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Swallows and 1 Mediterranean Gull E.

Dave Smith walked along the seawall from Reculver and his highlights were 3 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 2 Avocets, 17 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 19 Sanderling, 2 Common Terns, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Little Owl, 1 Raven, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 17 Swallows, 5 House Martins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Stonechats, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Blue-headed Wagtail and 2 Corn Buntings.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back via Coldharbour and Brooksend. He counted 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Avocets, 2 Redshank, 14 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo, 12 Swallows W, 2 Stonechats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats and 5 Corn Buntings.

 May 3rd

After overnight rain it was overcast and humid this morning as we had a walk along the seawall from Reculver. We recorded 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 1 Little Owl, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Hobby flying past the Towers towards the Sand Martin colony at Bishopstone (160th), 1 Whimbrel and 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E.

Little Egrets

 

 May 2nd

This morning our walk at Reculver produced 3 Mute Swans, 4 Chiffchaffs, 11 Sand Martins, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 13 Greylag Geese, 10 Coot, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Common Sandpipers, 14 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, 2 Gadwall and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0600 and 0930 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back via Coldharbour. He counted 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Shelduck E, 2 Avocets in Coldharbour, 2 Cuckoos, 37 Stock Doves on a ploughed field, 1 Yellow Wagtail W, 1 Wheatear, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers and 8 Chiffchaffs.

A dull looking Willow Warbler - Derek Smith

 May 1st

The month began with a sunny morning and a pleasant south easterly breeze. I walked along the seawall from Reculver with the tide out but coming in and counted 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit feeding on shore, 4 Common Sandpipers, 12 Linnets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Redshank, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Bar-tailed Godwit

 

Wall Brown

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He recorded 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Redpoll W, 10 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 9 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 13 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Gadwall, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Common Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Stonechats, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit E, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Swift E, 3 Kestrels, 2 Avocets, 3 Grey Plover, 7 Shelduck and 2 Sandwich Terns. 

Bar-tailed Godwits - Matt Hindle

 

Whimbrel -Matt Hindle

Kestrel - Matt Hindle