October 31st
We spent a cloudy morning ringing at Shuart where we recorded 2 Kestrels, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Golden Plover, 73 Skylarks W, 9 Siskins, 61 Lesser Redpoll, 70 Redwings W, 40 Blackbirds, 20 Linnets, 10 Goldcrests, 4 Bramblings W, 2 Bullfinches W, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Merlin, 38 Lapwings, 19 Fieldfares W, 1 Chiffchaff, 705 Starlings W, 30 Reed Buntings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 6 Pied Wagtails W, 10 Song Thrushes, 188 Chaffinches W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodcock, 1 Snipe W, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 86: Goldcrest 4, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Bunting 17, Lesser Redpoll 29, Robin 3, Chaffinch 5, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 1, Cetti's Warbler 2, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 3, Blackbird 17.

Male Lesser Redpoll

Whilst we were ringing Derek Smith walked from Shuart all along the railway embankment and in five hours counted 24 Lapwings W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 26 Fieldfares W, 65 Redwings W, 54 Skylarks W, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 5 alba Wagtails W, 5 Stonechats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 30 Goldcrests, 1 Bullfinch W, 41 Siskins W, 148 Lesser Redpoll W, 26 Goldfinches W, 2,386 Chaffinches W, 16 Bramblings W, 1 Hawfinch W, 9 Reed Buntings W and 2 Yellowhammers W.

October 30th
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw a nice range of species including 1 Firecrest, 12 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Bramblings W, 31 Skylarks, 26 Siskins W, 21 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 87 Fieldfares W, 29 Redwings W, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Blackcap, 2 Little Egrets W, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Jay, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 2,450 Starlings W, 18 Lapwings W, 3 Kestrels, 17 Goldfinches, 11 Crossbills W, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Golden Plover, 18 Chaffinches and 1 Green Sandpiper.

Birds ringed 42: Firecrest 1, Goldcrest 7, Long-tailed Tit 6, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 1, Robin 2, Lesser Redpoll 12, Chaffinch 4, Coal Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.

British Coal Tit

Derek Smith had an afternoon stroll from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and saw a few Chaffinches still moving, 133 Golden Plovers disturbed by a microlight, a Woodcock flying in off the sea and at dusk 1 Little Owl and 1 Barn Owl.

October 29th
At last a good seawatch! We arrived at the Towers early and spent four hours between 0630 and 1030 counting the birds which were mainly flying west but later back east and out of the Swale. We counted 58 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 283 Gannets, 247 Cormorants, 27 Great Skuas, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Red-throated Divers, 335 large auks of which 4 close birds were Razorbills (193rd), 6 Dunlin, 436 Kittiwakes, 3 Manx Shearwaters E, 4 Curlews, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Black-throated Diver E (194th), 4 Common Scoter, 10 Shelduck, 6 Arctic Skuas, 15 Little Gulls, 37 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Tern, 1 immature Long-tailed Skua (195th), 26 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 5 Wigeon, 1 Pintail and 10 White-fronted Geese N (196th).

October 28th
Although it was a sunny morning there was a stiff and cool westerly breeze blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Grey Heron, 290 Starlings W, 2 Stonechats, 28 Skylarks W, 52 Mallard, 29 Redwings W, 4 Goldcrests, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Redpolls W, 24 Goldfinches, 13 Fieldfares W, 83 Chaffinches W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 25 Corn Buntings, 51 Linnets, 8 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 3 Yellowhammers, 2 Redshank, 1 Wigeon, 14 Turnstone and 24 Reed Buntings.

Fieldfares

Derek Smith walked around the Shuart and Netherhale area between 0730 and 1030 and recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Hen Harrier, per Marc Heath, 31 Lapwings W, 173 Stock Doves W, 89 Skylarks W, 38 Meadow Pipits W, 8 alba Wagtails W, 242 Redwings W, 74 Fieldfares W, 17 Redpolls W, 8 Siskins W, 84 Chaffinches W, 3 Hawfinches W, 18 Goldcrests and 1 Corn Bunting.

October 27th
With a fresh and cool NW breeze blowing this morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 2 Goldcrests, 3 Pied Wagtails, 43 Cormorants, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Turnstone, 57 Ringed Plovers, 44 Skylarks W, 14 Goldfinches, 74 Carrion Crows, 20 Gannets W, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 15 Corn Buntings, 28 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 38 Reed Buntings, 17 Chaffinches, 60 House Sparrows, 4 Bearded Tits W, 23 Meadow Pipits and 2 Kestrels.
We also found a late Clouded Yellow butterfly in the sun at Reculver.
This morning Marc Heath walked from Chamber's Wall along the embankment and seawall and saw 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Partridge, 6 Goldcrests, 60 Skylarks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Brambling, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Stonechats, 3 Guillemots E, 6 Gannets E, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Knot W and 40 Golden Plovers.
Derek Smith was out from 1100 to 1440 and counted 2 Marsh Harriers, 35 Mute Swans, 43 Skylarks W, several thousand Starlings flying W, 427 Redwings and 224 Fieldfares W, 10 Siskins and 36 Goldcrests.

October 26th
It was overcast but very still this morning when we arrived at Chamber's Wall where almost the first bird we saw was a very active Yellow-browed Warbler feeding high in the bushes. Other birds we counted on our way to Coldharbour and down the seawall included 17 Skylarks W, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Siskins W, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redpoll, 6 Mute Swans, 13 Redwings, 20 Reed Buntings, 53 Chaffinches, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 15 Mallard, 33 Corn Buntings, 4 Stonechats, 2 Curlew, 57 Goldfinches, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 22 Meadow Pipits, 2 Redshank, 101 Carrion Crows, 1 Dunlin, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Brambling, 2 Kestrels and 1 Jay.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0730 and 1230 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall. He recorded 36 Mute Swans, 60 Song Thrushes, 80 Blackbirds, 220 Redwings W, 64 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Bearded Tits, 35 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still at Chamber's Wall, 36 Goldcrests, 10 Redpoll W, 12 Bramblings W, 27 Siskins W, 782 Chaffinches W and 5 Corn Buntings.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith

October 25th
On a pleasant but breezy early autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the White Poplars and Coldharbour before dropping in at Reculver. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 13 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 6 Goldcrests, 5 Corn Buntings, 3 Redwings, 8 Goldfinches, 21 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 82 Mallard, 2 Teal, 42 Carrion Crows, 1 Redshank, 25 Meadow Pipits W, 21 Skylarks W, 352 Chaffinches W, 35 House Sparrows, 55 Starlings W, 1 female Ring Ouzel, 4 Siskins W, 18 Linnets W, 6 Grey Partridges, 1 Jay, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Wigeon, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Buzzard.
Terry Wilson crossed over railway lines at Plumpudding and in the big reed bed found 2 Bearded Tits and 3 Stonechats, he also had 100s of finches flying W overhead and also the very white Common Buzzard. On the green at Grenham Bay a Kestrel caught a very big rat, mantled it but was chased off by 4 Magpies.

Male Chaffinch

Today I received information concerning an adult male Blackbird we ringed at Shuart on 16th December 2014. It was found freshly dead at Halle, Saale, Germany on 20th October 2017. Halle is 738 km E of Shuart.

October 24th
This morning we walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment and then back to Plumpudding to Shuart. We counted 3 Kestrels, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 16 Redwings W, 26 Chaffinches W, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 5 Ring Ouzels W, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 14 Redpolls W, 1 Siskin W, 2 Fieldfares W, 34 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Mallard, 40 Skylarks W, 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Grey Heron, 38 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 43 Reed Buntings, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 99 House Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Firecrest, 1 Bullfinch W, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Greenfinches, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Rock Pipit, 28 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew and 30 Meadow Pipits.

October 23rd
The weather this morning was not as bad as had been suggested by some of yesterday's forecasts and so we were able to spend the morning ringing at Shuart where we had an excellent session. Birds we saw during five hours included 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 13 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Owl, 3 Hawfinches W (192nd), 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 22 Song Thrushes, 3 Snipe, 44 Skylarks, 22 Goldfinches, 2 Common Buzzards, including an exceptionally pale, almost white, individual, 5 Corn Buntings, 4 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Redwings, 34 Linnets, 1 Chiffchafff, 1 Grey Partridge, 20 Greylag Geese, 1 Jay, 40 Chaffinches, 5 Siskins, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Goldcrests.

Birds ringed 68: Wren 5, Goldcrest 1, Robin 3, Chaffinch 7, Reed Bunting 18, Meadow Pipit 2, Goldfinch 7, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blue Tit 3, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 2, Dunnock 2, Yellowhammer 1, Song Thrush 7, Blackbird 8.

Male Siskin

Male Lesser Redpoll

Female Yellowhammer

Marc Heath was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall along the seawall and back along the railway embankment. His highlights were 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 female Bullfinch, 5 Fieldfares, 6 Bearded Tits, 7 Grey Partridges and 1 Wheatear.

Tree Sparrows - Marc Heath

October 22nd
It felt cooler this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the railway embankment to Plumpudding and then back to Shuart. We saw 2 Kestrels, 21 Goldfinches, 4 Goldcrests, 21 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 58 Reed Buntings, 24 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 10 Greenfinches, 33 Mute Swans, 55 House Sparrows, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Wheatears, 53 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipits, 18 Redpoll W, 2 Corn Buntings and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Reed Bunting

October 21st
On a blustery morning most of the threatened heavy showers appeared to be passing south of us along the Channel. Birds we saw as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the railway embankment included 4 Redwings, 7 Goldcrests, 3 Siskins W, 156 Starlings W, 6 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 18 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 8 Corn Buntings, 2 Rock Pipits, 14 Oystercatchers, 42 Linnets, 9 Wigeon, 2 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 24 Reed Buntings, 1 Wheatear, 31 Goldfinches, 3 Tree Sparrows and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We then walked around the Shuart area and recorded 1 Siskin W, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Bullfinch W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stonechat and 1 Chiffchaff.
Two "continental" Coal Tits were still on feeders in Julian and Alex Perry's garden at Bishopstone today.

Coal Tit - Alex Perry

October 20th
Although it was blustery this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour the rain held off. We saw 5 Redwings, 1 Kestrel, 27 Chaffinches, 3 Goldcrests, 76 Mallard, 5 Grey Partridges, 2 Chiffchaffs, 22 Linnets, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Curlew, 3 Wigeon, 3 Little Egrets, 15 Oystercatchers, 45 Carrion Crows, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Turnstone, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 44 House Sparrows, 1 Jay, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Pochard.

October 19th
It was a pleasant, late autumn morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. We counted 7 Pied Wagtails, 9 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 51 Meadow Pipits, 161 Linnets, 1 Dunlin, 1 Lapwing, 3 Curlews, 54 Carrion Crows, 11 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 17 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 11 Turnstone, 44 Goldfinches, 1 Teal, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 9 Skylarks, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Coal Tit in the conifers by the Visitors Centre, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 13 Blackbirds, 2 Siskins and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Pied Wagtail

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment and saw 43 Lapwings S, 89 Redwings W, 43 Blackbirds, 30 Song Thrushes, 6 Stonechats, 21 Meadow Pipits W, 18 Skylarks W, 1 Redpoll W, 4 Bramblings W, 13 Siskins W, 314 Chaffinches W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 18 Goldcrests and 1 Coal Tit.

October 18th
There was a great deal of disturbance at Reculver this morning as the Environment Agency continue moving vast amounts of shingle to bolster the flood defences. Being only able to work either side of low tide it seems likely this will continue to the end of the month.
We walked at Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Reculver this morning and managed to see 2 Chiffchaffs, 25 Mute Swans, 11 Skylarks, 3 Bramblings, 22 Chaffinches, 9 Corn Buntings, 2 Redshank, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Turnstone, 1 Lapwwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 45 House Sparrows, 1 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Mallard, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jays, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Redwings and 2 Little Egrets.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 10 Eiders, including 2 males, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Little Egrets and 1 female Blackcap.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and Plumpudding and counted 28 Mute Swans, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 14 Redwings W, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 22 Goldcrests, 12 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 7 alba Wagtails W, 60 Robins, 1 Siskin and 2 Bearded Tits.
Derek also went out after lunch and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and on to Minnis Bay where he counted 4 Common Buzzards, 6 Grey Herons, 18 Lapwings, 52 Collared Doves, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Little Owls, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Brambling W.

October 17th
Not all Ophelia's Sahara dust and murk from yesterday had cleared by this morning so that there was a bright red sunrise, yellowish sky and a faint smell of burning in the air. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour before visiting Reculver. Birds we saw included 16 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 10 Mute Swans, 75 Golden Plovers, 1 Peregrine, 5 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, 17 Mallard, 17 Corn Buntings, 2 Redwings, 6 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Little Egret, 14 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 42 Carrion Crows, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Wigeon, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 132 Collared Doves on the wires at Reculver and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to the Green Wall, along the railway embankment and returned via Plumpudding. Birds began moving late morning and he counted 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Kestrels, 40 Song Thrushes, 32 Redwings, 55 Blackbirds, 370 Starlings W, 43 Skylarks W, 16 alba Wagtails W, 68 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Rock Pipit W, 3 Tree Sparrows, 6 Bearded Tits, 10 Stonechats, 32 Robins, 238 Chaffinches W, 38 Siskins W, 15 Redpolls W, 56 Goldfinches W, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Chiffchaffs, 38 Goldcrests and 6 Corn Buntings W.

Coal Tit - Derek Smith

Cetti's Warbler - Derek Smith