September 30th

On another beautiful morning, but with a gradually increasing SW wind, we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm. We had a good variety of species including 44 Chaffinches W, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 27 Skylarks W, 4 Goldcrests, 10 Chiffchaffs, 29 Golden Plovers, 2 Peregrines, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Greenfinch, 7 Lapwings, 2 Ravens, 1 Little Egret, 29 Goldfinches, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 27 Reed Buntings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 26 House Martins W, 2 Teal, 4 Stonechats, 1 Snipe, 3 Sandwich Terns, 13 Swallows W, 9 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Linnets and 4 Bearded Tits, including two in a blackthorn bush.

Dave Smith spent an hour at Reculver and saw 1 Eider, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 60 Starlings W, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 41 Meadow Pipits W, 14 Goldfinches and 1 Siskin W.

During the morning, Anthea Skiffington and Bob Dewire saw a Short-eared Owl at the Oyster Farm and several Sandwich Terns moving through.

We have just received the ringing information of a Blackcap we controlled at Reculver on September 28th. It had originally been ringed at Sandwich Bay on September 20th.

September 29th

We arrived at Reculver later than usual after taking the car in for an MOT and service. It was a beautiful, calm and sunny Morning as we walked up to Coldharbour and back again before having a look at Reculver bushes. Birds we saw included 5 Grey Herons, 27 Goldfinches, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 23 Ringed Plovers, 22 Meadow Pipits, 21 Skylarks W, 1 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Reed Buntings, 5 Linnets, 19 Swallows W, 61 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Curlew, 19 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 18 Carrion Crows on the beach, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 Reed Warbler.

Dave Smith was out much earlier than us and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the railway embankment. He counted 1 Lapwing, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Swallows, 22 Chiffchaffs, 14 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 2 Grey Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Siskins and 8 Corn Buntings.

September 28th

We spent another morning ringing, this time at Reculver, where we saw 1 Jay, 1 Great White Egret  flying W (188th), 37 Swallows, 32 Goldfinches, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 45 Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Chiffchaffs, 35 Blackcaps, 10 Goldcrests, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Common Buzzards, 14 House Martins, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Siskins and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 58: Goldcrest 7, Chiffchaff 12, Wren 1, Blackcap 29, Great Tit 1, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1, Kingfisher 1.

Female Goldcrest

September 27th

On a blustery morning we ringed in a sheltered area at Shuart where we saw 3 Kestrels, 30 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Goldcrests, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Firecrest, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 62 Goldfinches, 13 Swallows W, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Linnets, 369 House Martins W, 4 Siskins W, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Grey Herons and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 49: Chiffchaff 11, Wren 4, Goldcrest 1, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 23, Robin 2, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.

Willow Warbler

Today we received a record of a Nightjar (187th) that had been seen and photographed in a local garden at the beginning of the week. This is only the second report of this species in the area following one seen at Shuart on September 20th 1988.

Also today we received interesting information about a first year Chiffchaff that we ringed at Shuart on 14th September 2020 and was controlled by another ringer at Laguna Primera de Palos, Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, SPAIN on 16th October 2021. This site is 1,703 km SSW of Shuart.

September 26th

On a blustery and showery morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Warbler, 286 Swallows W, 3 House Martins W, 1 Tree Pipit W, 84 Meadow Pipits W, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Rock Pipits W, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Kestrels, 4 Grey Herons, 40 Goldfinches, 4 Sand Martins W, 117 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 1 Hobby, 1 Yellow Wagtail W, 1 female Merlin, 2 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears and 1 Kingfisher.

Matt went back to Reculver at 1100 for two hours in the hope that the increasing wind would produce some birds. He saw 50 House Martins W, 80 Swallows W, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Black-throated Diver E (186th), 3 Red-throated Divers on the sea, 3 Gannets E, 1 Common Scoter W and 5 Sandwich Terns W.

September 25th

We spent an enjoyable morning ringing at a breezy Reculver where we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 1 Redwing, 15 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Goldfinches, 6 Song Thrushes, 24 Swallows, 2 Bramblings, 17 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 24 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (185th), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Snipe and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Birds ringed 35: Chiffchaff 11, Goldcrest 3, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Blackcap 10, Blue Tit 4, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Derek Smith was also out this morning from 0630-1130 and walked from Shuart, along the embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 7 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Kestrels, 44 Golden Plover, 10 Curlew, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Rock Pipit, 135 Swallows W, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 9 Blackcaps, 41 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest at Shuart.

Matt also had 6 Redwing at Shuart later in the morning.

September 24th

On a blustery morning we had a walk around the bushes at Reculver and Chamber's Wall. We saw 17 Chiffchaffs, 19 Swallows W, 1 Turtle Dove on the wire by Reculver bushes, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Blackcaps and 3 Goldcrests.

We have just received information concerning two ringed birds. Firstly, a first year female Blackcap we caught at Reculver on September 11th had originally been ringed by the Belvide Ringing Group at Witches Oak, Derbyshire on September 1st. It had flown 242 km SE to reach Reculver. The second bird was a juvenile Reed Warbler we ringed at Shuart on August 1st and was controlled by Rye Bay Ringing Group at Icklesham, East Sussex on September 6th. Icklesham is 66 km SW from Shuart.

September 23rd

We had a marvellous two hour's birdwatch this morning on our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour in overcast and almost still conditions. Throughout our visit there was a significant westerly hirundine movement and we counted 2,200 House Martins, 1,950 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins and even a Swift with birds still moving W when we left. There had also been an overnight arrival of 32 Chiffchaffs whilst other birds seen included 2 Kestrels, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Hobby, 3 Robins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 58 Goldfinches, 22 Teal, 1 Whitethroat, 11 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Skylarks, 7 Mallard, 12 Wigeon, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 9 Reed Buntings, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Greenfinches and 7 Chaffinches.

Male Kestrel

September 22nd

On a beautiful autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 16 Chiffchaffs, 4 Kestrels, 35 Goldfinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Greenfinches, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier flying W along the embankment, 42 Golden Plovers, 21 Reed Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 5 Teal, 120 Swallows, 13 Linnets, 270 House Martins E, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 2 Oystercatchers, 42 Mallard, 5 Coot, 2 Grey Herons in off the sea and 8 Chaffinches.

Dave Smith was out at 0630 and in three hours walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 7 Mute Swans, 32 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 47 Golden Plovers, 37 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Short-eared Owl at Plumpudding, 3 Kestrels, 1 Peregrine, 3 Reed Warblers, 200 Swallows, 300 House Martins E, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin and 15 Corn Buntings.

September 21st

For the first time for a while there was absolutely no wind this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then back to Reculver bushes. We saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Redshank, 82 Goldfinches, 1 Greenshank, 3 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Ringed Plovers, 36 Linnets, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Wigeon W, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 20 Mallard, 2 Swallows, 1 Red-throated Diver feeding close in, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear and 1 Reed Warbler.

Red-throated Diver

Wall Brown

Dave Smith was out this morning and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and back via Plumpudding. He counted 8 Mute Swans, 14 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 3 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Sand Martins, 12 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaffs, 20 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thush, 4 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Chaffinches and 23 Corn Buntings.

September 20th

On a pleasant morning we ringed at Shuart where we saw 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Reed Warblers, 14 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 40 Swallows W, 1 Golden Plover 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Siskin W, 3 Kestrels, 2 Whitethroats, 20 Reed Buntings, 3 Snipe, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Common Buzzards.

Birds ringed 50: Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 7, Reed Bunting 16, Blackcap 10, Goldfinch 5, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 1, Dunnock 2.

This afternoon Matt had a walk at Reculver and saw 3 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 10 Swallows, 7 Reed Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Stonechats, 1 Whinchat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

September 19th

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver again but it was very quiet with most birds having moved on overnight. Birds we saw included 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 72 Swallows, 8 Dunnocks, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Goldcrests, 42 Meadow Pipits, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats and 1 Snipe.

Birds ringed 7: Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 2, Blackcap 3, Dunnock 1.

Dave Smith birded in the Minnis Bay and Plumpudding area and counted 5 Mute Swans, 53 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Turtle Doves, 100 Golden Plovers, 6 Curlew, 22 Dunlin W, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 3 Common Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 1 Hobby, 7 Sand Martins, 283 Swallows W, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 9 Meadow Pipits, 12 Goldfinches and 13 Corn Buntings.

September 18th

We spent a breezy morning ringing at Reculver where Matt saw 6 Egyptian Geese flying W just after daybreak. We then recorded 1 Grey Heron, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 110 Swallows W, 3 Snipe, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Greenshank, 40 Blackcaps, 2 Kingfishers, 8 Goldcrests, 52 Meadow Pipits, 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 2 Ravens, 2 Common Buzzards, 9 Sand Martins W, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Reed Warblers. Matt then found a Black-necked Grebe at Reculver which almost immediately flew off W.

Birds ringed 54: Goldcrest 5, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 4, Blackcap 31, Great Tit 3, Robin 1, Whitethroat 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Dunnock 2, Green Woodpecker 1.

Juvenile Black-necked Grebe

Grey Wagtail

September 17th

It was cool and breezy this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall as far as the Green Wall. We counted 17 Swallows W, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Stonechats, 37 Mallard, 1 Sandwich Tern W, 1 Kingfisher, 36 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Turntone, 10 Reed Buntings, 12 Coot, 2 Kestrels, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat and 1 Hobby.

Matt arrived at Reculver early and together with Dave and Derek Smith seawatched at the Towers before having a brief walk inland. He counted 7 Gannets W, 1 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 19 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kittiwake E, 32 Wigeon W, 8 Dunlin W, 3 Knot W, 2 Great Skuas E and W, 98 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red-throated Diver W, 5 Curlew, 4 Arctic Skuas W, 1 Purple Sandpiper W, 1 Pintail W, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 7 Swallows, 9 unidentified geese distantly flying south at 0845, 6 House Martins, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Sparrowhawk.

This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 33 Meadow Pipits, 7 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Whinchats, 6 Stonechats, 18 Linnets, 1 Little Egret and 4 Chiffchaffs. 

Matt and Marion walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour returning along the Green Wall and embankment. They saw 1 Goldcrest, 22 Swallows, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Common Redstart, 4 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 80 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 23 Sandwich Terns, 39 Sanderling, 90 Ringed Plovers, 20 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Pink-footed Geese flying W at the Oyster Farm, 3 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrels, 8 House Martins, 3 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 16 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sand Martins  and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Spotted Flycatcher - Matt Hindle

Pink-footed Geese - Matt Hindle

September 16th

It was significantly cooler this morning with a moderate NW wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We counted 156 Meadow Pipits flying W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 4 Corn Buntings, 16 Swallows flying W, 2 Shelduck W, 65 Black-headed Gulls flying W in two groups, 5 Mallard, 3 Coot, 5 Stonechats and 8 Reed Buntings.

Corn Bunting

Dave Smith spent just over three hours at Reculver Towers this morning and counted 11 Pink-footed Geese flying in off the sea (182nd), 2 Shelduck, 19 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 6 Common Scoter, 96 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Gulls, 18 Sandwich Terns E, 5 Gannets, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Sand Martins W, 61 Swallows W, 6 House Martins W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1,014 Meadow Pipits flying W and 1 Reed Bunting.

With the wind forecast to increase this afternoon Matt arrived at the Towers at 1200 and we joined him at 1245 staying there for another two hours. It was unfortunately rather slow but we did record 25 Gannets, 2 Guillemot E, 3 Arctic Skuas, 14 Sandwich Terns W, 3 large auks, 1 Peregrine, 1 Manx Shearwater E (183rd), 1 Great Crested Grebe W, 7 Common Scoter E, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 2 Wheatears and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

About half an hour after we arrived home Matt phoned to say he was sitting in his car at Reculver car park and was watching a Wryneck (184th) run along the path in front of him. When we arrived five minutes later it had disappeared into the rocks but after ten minutes Matt found it again by the childrens' playground before it disappeared again into a bush.

Wryneck - Alex Perry

Today we received the ringing information of a Cetti's Warbler we caught on the Marsh on September 11th. It had been ringed at Nagden Marsh, Faversham on August 25th and had flown 24 km E to reach Reculver.