September 30th

On a mild and damp morning with a fresh southerly wind blowing we walked at various sites at Reculver and our highlight was  2 Red-necked Grebes seen briefly at Reculver (180th). Other birds we saw were 5 Robins, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 95 Mallard, 45 Gadwall, 142 Coot, 66 Tufted Duck, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Dunlin, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Ravens, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Stonechats.

Red-necked Grebes

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding along the seawall and back along the embankment. He saw 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Rock Pipits W, 26 Sandwich Terns E, 6 Stonechats, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Lapland Buntings W (179th), 6 Little Egrets, 2 Red-throated Divers, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Swallows W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 7 Ravens E, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Blackcap, 9 Reed Buntings, 1 Firecrest, 1 Little Owl, 2 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed tits, 51 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 9 Skylarks, 5 Kestrels, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Lapwings and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Reculver Car Park.

 September 29th

The overnight rain left a misty, murky morning that gradually brightened up as we walked along the seawall from Reculver. Birds we counted included 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 8 Robins, 4 Stonechats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Redshank, 43 Linnets, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 39 Meadow Pipits, 12 Reed Buntings, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Curlew, 2 Wigeon W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 17 Mallard, 95 Golden Plovers and 4 Oystercatchers.

Brendan Ryan was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. His highlights were 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 21 Chiffchaffs, 11 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Stonechats and 21 Reed Buntings.

 September 28th

We spent the morning ringing at another site at Shuart and saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Red-legged Partridges, 15 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Swallows W, 67 Greylag Geese, 3 Stonechats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 15 Reed Buntings, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Skylarks, 2 Jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Birds ringed 41: Chiffchaff 11, Wren 1, Blackcap 12, Reed Buntings 13, Stonechat 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.

 September 27th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 32 Linnets, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Song Thrushes W, 4 Skylarks, 5 Stonechats, 30 Chiffchaffs, 25 Blackcaps, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kestrel, 1,500 Black-headed Gulls, 300 Herring Gulls, 1 Peregrine, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Firecrest, 10 Reed Buntings and 1 Ruff.

Birds ringed 62: Chiffchaff 22, Long-tailed Tit 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 21, Blue Tit 2, Robin 4, Stonechat 3, Reed Bunting 7, Goldfinch 1.

First year male Stonechat

Dave Smith was also out at Shuart this morning and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 3 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 8 Coot, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plovers, 8 Lapwings, 7 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 34 Turnstone, 11 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 1 Merlin (178th), 1 Peregrine, 28 Skylarks E, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Swallow, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 150 Starlings W, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits W and 4 Chaffinches.

 September 26th

This morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 6 Cetti's Warblers, 80 Mallard, 130 Coot, 52 Gadwall, 38 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Shoveler, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Herons and 1 Raven.

 September 25th

We spent an increasingly warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Ravens, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 2 Lapwings, 122 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 43 Tufted Duck, 43 Gadwall, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 80 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Jays flying W and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 30: Chiffchaff 15, Wren 1, Blackcap 5, Robin 1, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 2 Great Tit 3, Dunnock 1.

 September 24th

We spent another morning ringing, this time at one of our sites at Shuart. Whilst we were there we saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 calling Little Owl, 110 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Stonechats, 1 Sedge Warblers, 1 Swallow, 50 Chiffchaffs, 30 Blackcaps, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Firecrests and 15 Robins.

Birds ringed 92: Chiffchaff 34, Long-tailed Tits 8, Wren 1, Firecrest 2, Blue Tit 9, Blackcap 23, Robin 7, Linnet 1, Great Tit 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Reed Warbler 1.

We also controlled a first year male Blackcap that had been ringed at Gedling Country Park, Nottinghamshire by the South Notts Ringing Group on August 30th 2026. It had travelled 241 km SE to reach Shuart.

Whilst we were ringing Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 87 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 25 Ringed Plovers, 12 Curlew, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 2 Reed Warblers, 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps and 1 Firecrest.

 September 23rd

We had a very enjoyable morning's ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Firecrests, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 30 Blackcaps, 60 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (177th), 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 immature Peregrine unsuccessfully chasing a Tufted Duck. We also recorded 7 Shoveler, 6 Little Grebes, 36 Tufted Duck, 77 Gadwall, 83 Mallard, 133 Coot, 1 Snipe, 7 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Hobby, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Kite, 4 Corn Buntings and 7 Mediterranean Gulls.

Birds ringed 77: Chiffchaff 44, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Firecrest 1, Reed Warbler 2, Blackcap 17, Blue Tit 3, Robin 1, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler - Matt Hindle

 September 22nd

We completed the same walk as yesterday and recorded 4 Ravens, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Wheatears, 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Redshank, 16 Meadow Pipits, 11 Sandwich Terns, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Mallard, 1 Grey Plover, 32 Golden Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Tufted Duck, 6 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Stonechats, 1 Curlew and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wheatear

Grey Plover

Brendan Ryan also visited the area today and his highlights were 34 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests and 1 Snipe at Bishopstone and 32 Chiffchaffs, 1 Knot and 11 Bar-tailed Godwits between Shuart and Plunpudding.

 September 21st

On a glorious, late, autumn morning with very few people about we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. Birds we saw included 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 18 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 33 Linnets, 6 Stonechats, 9 Meadow Pipits, 22 Reed Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 17 Golden Plovers, 2 Skylarks, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Mallard, 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Ringed Plover, 16 Corn Buntings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Goldfinches, 18 Swallows and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Nick Hando was out around lunchtime and walked at Brooksend and Shuart. He saw 1 Whinchat, 11 Clouded Yellow butterflies, 4 Wall Browns, 2 Painted ladies and 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

Today I received the ringing information of a Chiffchaff we controlled at Reculver on September 18th. It had originally been ringed, nine days before on the 9th September at Portland Bill, Dorset by the Portland Bird Observatory and had flown 271 km ENE to reach Reculver. 

 September 20th

Our walk at Reculver this morning produced 12 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 160 Coot, 55 Gadwall, 170 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Teal, 10 Swallows, 8 Little Grebes, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked at Minnis Bay and Plumpudding. He recorded 35 Greylag Geese, 12 Mute Swans, 46 Mallard, 10 Coot, 30 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, 17 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Reed Warblers, 11 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 3 Stonechats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 9 Meadow Pipits and 1 Corn Bunting.

On his morning walk from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding, Derek Smith counted 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Canada Goose with 6 hybrids, 130 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Common Buzzards, 12 Sandwich Terns W, 80 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Cetti's Warblers and 55 Chiffchaffs.

Nick Hando was also out at Minnis Bay where he recorded 14 Curlews, 22 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 9 Little Egrets, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Sand Martins.

 September 19th

It was a drizzly morning as we walked at Reculver and counted 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 120 Mallard, 55 Gadwall, 165 Coot, 1 Reed Warbler, 14 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Mute Swan, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Wigeon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit flying N, 1 Shoveler, 7 Swallows W, 10 Sandwich Terns and 1 Curlew.

 September 18th

On a bright and breezy morning we spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 2 Firecrests, 35 Blackcaps, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Chiffchaffs, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Jays, 2 Pied Wagtails, 164 Coot, 5 Little Grebes, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 54 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 110 Mallard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Swallows, 6 Robins, 1 Kestrel and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Birds ringed 53: Willow Warbler 1, Firecrest 2, Chiffchaff 18, Blackcap 24, Robin 3, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 1.

Female Firecrest

 September 17th

On what became a wet morning we walked at various sites at Reculver and counted 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 50 Gadwall, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 165 Coot, 2 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, 9 Tufted Duck, 54 Swallows W, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Hobby, 1 Whimbrel W, 1 Sand Martin W and 1 Curlew.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw 2 Grey Wagtails, 12 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 44 Chiffchaffs, 4 Stonechats, 4 Kestrels, 38 Mediterranean Gulls, 66 Mallard, 1 Tree Sparrow flying W along the seawall (176th), 4 Turnstone, 11 Teal, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Ravens, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, 140 Linnets, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 43 Swallows W, 4 House Martins W, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 1 Grey Heron.

 September 16th

On a cooler and breezy morning Anne and I walked at Reculver and counted 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 150 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 55 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 165 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Wigeon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pochard, 1 Keatrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron.

 September 15th

We spent an  unexpectedly breezy morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 60 Swallows flying SW, 6 House Martins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Blackcaps, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Greylag Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 27: Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 12, Reed Warbler 7, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 2.

Sunrise at Shuart - Matt Hindle

This morning we also caught a first year male Blackcap that had originally been ringed on August 28th at Ripon Parks, North Yorkshire flying 362 km SSE to reach Shuart.

We also received information about a first year male Blackcap we ringed at Shuart on 20th September 2025 that was controlled at Sandwich Bay Estate on 14th September 2026. 

Brendan Ryan also visited the area this morning and walked in from Shuart to Plumpudding. His sightings included 8 Mute Swans, 38 Mallard, 35 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Swift, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 12 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 54 Blue Tits, 4 Sedge Warblers, 35 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 27 Chiffchaffs, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, 23 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 23 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Chaffinches,11 Corn Buntings and 10 Reed Buntings.

 September 14th

On an overcast morning with the tide out we walked along the seawall from Reculver and counted 4 Cetti's Warblers, 7 newly arrived Wheatears, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Kestrels, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Redshank, 13 Wigeon W, 2 Oystercatchers, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting in the Oyster Farm, 1 Curlew, 17 Mallard, 12 Swallows in off the sea, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Stonechats, 1 Dunlin, 3 Chiffchaffs and 8 Cormorants.

Wheatear

 September 12th

On a sunny morning we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 120 Mallard, 60 Gadwall, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Mute Swans, 13 Little Grebes, 160 Coot, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Pintail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler and 20 Swallows W.

Pintail

Dave Smith was also out at Reculver and saw 7 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, 55 Mallard, 5 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the beach and then flying W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Sandwich Terns, 10 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 2 House Martins, 1 Willow Warbler, 31 Chiffchaffs, 9 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 34 Meadow Pipits and 3 Corn Buntings.

Kingfisher - Dave Smith

Clouded Yellow - Dave Smith

Wall Brown - Dave Smith

 September 11th

The overnight rain had just cleared away and it was a lovely sunny morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver. We counted 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Cormorants, 3 Wheatears, 4 Grey Herons, 23 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 18 Swallows W, 8 Little Egrets, 8 Turnstone, 1 Greenshank, 3 Kestrels, 9 Sandwich Terns, 12 Linnets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Stonechats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Corn Bunting

 September 10th

We spent a sunny but increasingly windy morning ringing at one of our sites at Shuart. During the morning we saw 1 Spotted Redshank, 45 Lapwings, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 5 Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 15 Sedge Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 30 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 13 Swallows, 1 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 54: Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 24, Sedge Warbler 10, Cetti's Warber 2, Reed Warbler 5, Whitethroat 5, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 1, Blackbird 1.

 September 9th

On a bright morning with a moderate westerly wind blowing we a couple of hours at Reculver where we had a disappointing seawatch. We counted 4 Arctic Skuas W, 2 Dunlins W, 4 Swallows W, 3 Black Terns E, 20 Sandwich Terns E, 1 large auk E, 5 Common Scoter W, 4 Wigeon W, 1 Redshank W and 1 Little Egret E.

 September 8th

On a wet morning with a light westerly wind blowing we met Matt at Minnis Bay for a two hour seawatch. We counted 60 Sandwich Terns, 45E, 15W, 98 Common Terns, 84E, 14W, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Gannet W, 4 Mediterranean Gull W, 3 Turnstone and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Recently we received information about a first year Whitethroat we ringed at Shuart on 23rd August. It had been controlled at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory on 1st September and had flown 12 km SE.

 September 7th

On a warm morning we walked at Reculver and counted 1 Jay, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shoveler, 36 Gadwall, 70 Mallard, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 3 Mute Swans, 170 Coot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Little Grebes, 1 Greenshank, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ruff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard and 1 Raven.

Derek Smith was also out and walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrines, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Common Buzzards, 113 Sandwich Terns W, 3 Mediterranean Gulls W, 9 Lapwings, 60 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 30 Swallows S, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Chiffchaffs and 3 Firecrests. He also saw 5 Clouded Yellow butterflies along then embankment.

 September 6th

We spent an increasingly breezy and warm morning ringing at Shuart where we recorded 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Kestrel, 19 Swallows, 1 Golden Plover, 30 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Willow Warblers, 12 Sedge Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 101 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Firecrests, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Pied Flycatcher. We also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Birds ringed 75: Chiffchaff 7, Willow Warbler 7, Long-tailed Tits 2, Sedge Warblers 11, Blackcaps 25, Whitethroats 2, Reed Warblers 8, Robins 3, Great Tits 2, Blue Tits 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Linnet 1, Chaffinch 1, Pied Flycatcher 1, Blackbird 1. 

Sedge Warbler

Whitethroat

This morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and recorded 42 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Coot, 19 Golden Plover, 18 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 4 Sedge Warblers, 7 Reed Warblers, 40 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 7 Willow warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Firecrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Yellow wagtails, 1 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinches and 6 Corn Buntings.

 September 5th

On a beautiful morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver and counted 17 Sandwich Terns, 3 Swallows W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Stonechats, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Cormorants, 18 Linnets, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrels, 24 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 64 Bar-tailed Godwits flying E in three groups, 7 Sanderling, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Ravens, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Corn Buntings and 1 Golden Plover. We also found 9 Wall Browns on the old Roman walls.

 September 4th

It was rainy this morning and we counted 10 Little Grebes, 9 Tufted Duck, 160 Coot, 65 Gadwall, 80 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Swallows W and 1 Swift W.

Ruff

 September 3rd

At Reculver this morning we counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Gadwall, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Swallow, 130 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck, 10 Little Grebes, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Buzzards, 20 Mallard, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Swallows.

 September 2nd

We spent another morning ringing at Shuart and saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Ravens, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 24 Blackcaps, 30 Sedge Warblers, 25 Reed Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 7 Willow Warblers, 70 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 90: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 6, Chiffchaff 1, Cetti's Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 27, Reed Warbler 20, Blue Tit 4, Blackcap 21, Whitethroat 5, Robin 1, Blackbird 1.

 September 1st

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Grey Heron, 15 Whitethroats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Hobby, 4 Willow Warblers, 15 Sedge Warblers, 20 Reed Warblers, 35 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 4 Swallows, 1 Great White Egret W (175th) and 2 Common Buzzards.

Birds ringed 81: Wren 1, Willow Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Robin 4, Whitethroat 9, Blackcap 30, Reed Warbler 18, Sedge Warbler 12, Cetti's Warbler 1, Grasshopper Warbler 2.

Lesser Whitethroat

Matt visited Reculver during the afternoon where he counted 6 Wigeon, 12 Tufted Duck, 39 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes, 136 Coot, 62 Golden Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Teal, 80 Mallard and 1 Little Egret.

 August 31st

After overnight thunderstorms Anne and I walked at Reculver and recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 135 Coot, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shoveler, 2 Common Sandpipers, 67 Gadwall, 10 Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallows W, 1 Arctic Skua, 50 Sandwich Terns and 12 Whimbrel.

On a warm afternoon Matt and Marion walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and on to Reculver. They counted 180 Sandwich Terns, 150 Common Terns, 27 Whimbrel, 100 Ringed Plovers, 15 Sanderling, 25 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 1 Arctic Skua, 18 Black Terns, 450 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Tern, 1 Knot, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Wheatear.

 August 30th

On a sunny morning we walked at Reculver where we counted 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Mute Swans, 138 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck, 30 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaff, 100 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Kestrel.