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

 Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Chamber's Wall. His highlights were, 1 Shelduck, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, 6 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Hobby, 7 Sand Martins, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Firecrest, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Tree Pipit.

 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.

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

Marc Heath found a Common Redstart at Bishopstone (172nd).

 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

 Other birds we saw included 3 Oystercatchers, 31 Mediterranean Gulls, including 29 adults, flying W, 30 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Cormorants, 6 Goldfinches, 11 Little Egrets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Linnets, 4 Stonechats, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Common Buzzard.

Sunflower field