September 30th
It was the chilliest morning of the autumn so far as we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour but the sun soon came out to warm things up. There were quite a few birds to be seen and we recorded 13 Mute Swans, 5 Chiffchaffs, 52 Goldfinches, 14 Pied Wagtails, 45 Meadow Pipits, 9 Cormorants, 1 Grey Partridge calling, 169 Linnets, 7 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Swallows W, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Stonechats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Grebe, 51 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 2 Kestrels, 5 Oystercatchers, 58 Mallard, 18 Wigeon, 9 Sandwich Terns E, 14 Reed Buntings, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Gadwall, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 House Martins W, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Common Buzzard.

Stonechat

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0730 and 1000 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the railway embankment. He saw 21 Wigeon, 5 Common Buzzards, 1 Merlin W, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Skylarks SW, 1 Whinchat, 24 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 85 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Chaffinches W, 22 Siskins W and 12 Meadow Pipits W.

September 29th
It was blustery and damp this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 22 Reed Buntings, 4 Redshank, 31 Linnets, 1 Gadwall, 106 House Martins W, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Kingfisher, 19 Swallows W, 117 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 24 Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrels, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 58 Golden Plovers and 1 Cetti's Warbler,

September 28th
The sun was shining this morning and a SW breeze was blowing as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Pied Wagtails, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Cormorants, 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 72 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels, 21 Sandwich Terns, 87 Linnets, 26 Carrion Crows, 33 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Cetti's Warbler,  74 Mallard, 1 Whinchat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Gadwall, 7 Little Egrets, 15 Reed Buntings, 4 Grey Plovers, 1 juvenile Gannet W close in shore, 1 Stonechat and 12 House Martins at the Towers.

Grey Plover

September 27th
On a warmer morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and recorded 130 Golden Plovers, 20 Lapwings, 14 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 80 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, 24 Linnets, 3 Kestrels, 8 Teal, 14 Redshank, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Carrion Crows, 6 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 3 Turnstone, 5 Grey Plover,  Ringed Plovers and 1 Whinchat.

Grey Plovers

This morning between 0730 and 1030 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment and saw 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Kestrels, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Snipe E, 1 Whinchat, 9 Song Thrushes, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 45 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Cetti's Warblers and 18 Reed Buntings W.

September 26th
It felt like autumn this morning with a chilly breeze blowing as we had a good ringing session at Shuart. Bird of the morning was a Dotterel (179th) that flew west calling repeatedly. Other birds seen included 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 2 Reed Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sedge Warbler, 20 Reed Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails W, 14 Swallows S, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 19 Greylag Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk and 20 Lapwings.

Birds ringed 47: Chiffchaff 10, Great Tit 1, Reed Bunting 12, Blue Tit 2, Linnet 1, Blackcap 12, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Greenfinch 4, Kingfisher 1.

Kingfisher

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and the Wade crossing. He recorded 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 55 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 18 Meadow Pipits W and 2 Grey Partridges.

September 25th
An extremely slow morning's ringing at Shuart came to an abrupt end when we received a text from Mark Chidwick to say that he had found a Hoopoe (178th) near the church at Hillborough. Unfortunately we could not relocate it, however during the morning at Shuart and Hillborough we saw 3 Red-legged Partridges, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Common Buzzards, 40 Meadow Pipits, 10 Linnets, 2 Jays and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Birds ringed 8: Chiffchaff 3, Robin 2, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 1.

September 24th
On a morning that began calm but became more breezy later we had a ringing session at Reculver. Birds we saw included 2 Cetti's Warblers, 31 Swallows W, 2 Peregrines, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Grey Wagtails, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Song Thrushes, 6 Robins, 20 Blackcaps, 45 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 1 Teal, 2 Kestrels, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Birds ringed 47: Chiffchaff 26, Goldcrest 1, Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 12, Robin 2, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2.

Chiffchaff

September 23rd
Although the sun was shining brightly this morning there was a chill in the air as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 2 Kestrels, 3 Stonechats, 28 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 38 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 69 Goldfinches, 20 Linnets, 53 Reed Buntings, 4 Sedge Warblers, 40 Meadow Pipits, 10 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Gadwall, 31 Swallows W, 10 House Martins W, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 10 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Long-tailed Tit

September 22nd

On a cloudy morning with the tide going out we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 7 Pied Wagtails, 23 Swallows W, 16 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Cormorants, 6 Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 3 Wheatears, 132 House Martins W, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 89 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Dunnocks in the bushes along the seawall, 2 Stonechats, 17 Oystercatchers, 54 Linnets, 3 Teal, 23 Mallard, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Golden Plover, 12 Reed Buntings, 5 Sedge Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 17 Meadow Pipits, 57 Goldfinches, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Little Owl.

Dunnock

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0700 and 1300 birding from Shuart to the Green Wall and back to Netherhale. He saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 6 Common Buzzards, 26 Lapwings S, 8 Golden Plovers W, 3 Snipe, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtails W, 5 Grey Wagtails W, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 147 Chiffchaffs mainly on the railway embankment and 9 Cetti's Warblers.

 

Spotted Flycatcher - Derek Smith

Ruddy Darter - Derek Smith

 

Today Bob Dean counted 123 Turnstones on the rocks at Grenham Bay.

This afternoon and evening there was a significant westerly movement of hirundines numbering 100 per minute. Mainly Swallows with House Martins mixed in and the odd Sand Martin and 1 Swift.

 

September 21st
On a beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 23 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Kestrels, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Teal, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 33 Linnets, 34 Goldfinches, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sedge Warblers, 5 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 3 Grey Wagtails, 66 Lapwings, 23 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 16 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 12 Reed Buntings, 6 Swallows, 10 Robins, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 15 Blue Tits.

Reed Bunting

 

Terry Wilson saw 3 Wheatears, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtails and lots of linnets and goldfinches along the railway embankment as well as 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Blackcap, 40 Mallard and back at Grenham Bay on the incoming tide 40 Turnstone, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Little Egret  and 2 Grey Plovers.

September 20th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Wantsum outfow and counted 35 Chiffchaffs, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Lapwings, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Robins, 1 Stonechat, 96 Swallows W, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 38 Mallard, 30 Oystercatchers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Egret, 1 Blackcap, 2 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 13 House Martins W, 23 Meadow Pipits W, 3 Dunlin, 20 Linnets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Whitethroat.
Derek Smith was also out between 0700 and 1000 and walked from Shuart to the railway embankment and Chamber's Wall. He saw 88 Chiffchaffs, 22 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Snipe, 12 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and 35 Meadow Pipits.
Also this morning Dave Smith found a Common Redstart by the Towers.

September 19th
It is very unusual for us to ring 100 or more birds in a morning ringing session, but this morning at Shuart we caught and ringed 113 birds helped in no small way by an overnight arrival of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Birds we saw whilst ringing included 1 Pied Flycatcher (177th) , 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 120 Chiffchaffs, 49 Lapwings, 49 House Martins W, 2 Common Buzzards, 44 Swallows W, 45 Blackcaps, 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Golden Plovers, 80 Greylag Geese, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Tree Pipit, 40 Linnets, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 30 Meadow Pipits, 2 Jays, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Ringed Plover.

Birds ringed 113: Chiffchaff 48, Wren 2, Willow Warbler 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Blackcap 21, Reed Warbler 5, Pied Flycatcher 1, Reed Bunting 13,  Sedge Warblers 4, Great Tits 3, Blue Tit 5, Whitethroat 3, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

First year Pied Flycatcher

This afternoon we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and recorded 4 Pintail W, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrels, 4 Redshank, 38 Meadow Pipits W, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Dunlin, 34 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 12 Chiffchaffs, 5 Grey Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Turnstone, 16 Linnets, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Little Stint, 1 Wheatear, 65 Swallows W, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Common Sandpipers and 1 Grey Wagtail.
This evening Mark Chidwick found a Wryneck feeding on ants on the path beside Plumpudding Stables.

Wryneck - Mark Chidwick

September 18th
We spent an excellent morning ringing at Reculver and saw 4 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 63 Swallows, 29 House Martins, 5 Sand Martins, 407 Lapwings W, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Merlin, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal, 15 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Reed Warblers, 3 Marsh Harriers W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 16 Meadow Pipits, 3 Kestrels, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Swifts, 15 Song Thrushes, 1 Siskin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Golden Plover.

Birds ringed 44: Chiffchaff 18, Willow Warbler 2, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Blackcap 10, Reed Warbler 3, Robin 1, Common Redstart 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Common Redstart

This afternoon Matt walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding and counted 89 Sanderling, 60 Dunlin, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 59 Turnstone, 50 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 40 Oystercatchers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Whimbrel and 27 Ringed Plovers.



September 17th
After sitting at Reculver Towers for an hour yesterday afternoon in pouring rain and seeing very little we arrived there again at first light this morning in the hope that the NW wind would produce a better result. In the event after a slow start we managed to see a good range of species in the four and a half hours we were there. Virtually all birds we counted were flying W and included 12 Arctic Skuas, 116 Teal, 137 Wigeon, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Great Skuas, 61 Gannets, 22 Pintail, 1 Knot, 5 Golden Plovers, 13 Common Terns,  11 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Snipe, 1 immature Long-tailed Skua (174th), 6 Swallows, 2 Turnstone, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Manx Shearwater E (175th), 2 Arctic Terns (176th), 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar E and 1 Sandwich Tern E.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Wigeon

Whilst doing the National Beach Clean at Minnis Bay today Terry Wilson saw 20 Sanderling, 34 Turnstone, 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 4 Ringed Plovers.
This afternoon with heavy showers still arriving off the sea we visited Minnis Bay where we saw 8 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemots E, 1 Great Skua E and 8 Turnstone.
On our way home we stopped off at Chamber's Wall and walked to Coldharbour in unpleasant conditions but managed to see a travelling band of tits and warblers consisting of 11 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 8 Long-tailed Tits. Other birds seen included 4 Gadwall, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Wigeon.

September 16th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart and left before the rain arrived. We saw 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 127 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Jay, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 48 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (173rd) calling and showing intermittently and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Birds ringed 20: Chiffchaff 5, Wren 2, Willow Warbler 1, Robin 2, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.