September 30th

On another sunny morning we had a ringing session at one of our ringing sites at Shuart. We saw 4 Green Woodpeckers, 40 Siskins SW, 15 Crossbills W, 25 Greylag Geese, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Redpoll W, 30 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Brambling, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Stonechat, 5 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Skylarks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Kestrels, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Jays, 15 Chaffinches, 15 Reed Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 male Common Redstart.

Birds ringed 48: Chiffchaff 19, Goldcrest 3, Long-tailed Tits 1, Chaffinch 4, Reed Bunting 3, Blackcap 6, Stonechat 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 3, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1, Green Woodpecker 2. 

First year male Stonechat

 Whilst we were ringing, Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment before returning via Coldharbour. He saw 2 Little Grebes, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Common Buzzards, 82 Lapwings, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Water Rails, 85 Starlings W, 5 Skylarks SW, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Swallows W, 7 Magpies W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 9 Pied Wagtails W, 2 Stonechats, 1 Crossbill W, 252 Siskins W, 23 Goldfinches W, 43 Chaffinches W, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 47 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest and 1 Clouded Yellow butterfly. 

Brendan Ryan was also out in the area and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and the embankment. His highlights were 1 male Eider flying E, 29 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Pied Wagtails W, 3 Grey Wagtails, 15 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 72 Starlings W, 32 Dunnocks, 1 Brambling and 1 Redpoll.

After ringing Matt visited Recukver and saw 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Ravens, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Redpoll and 1 Swallow. 

 September 29th

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Reculver and saw 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 10 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 126 Coot, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Grey Wagtails, 3 Firecrests, 1 Bullfinch, 12 Goldcrests, 25 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Robins, 1 Kingfisher, 18 Linnets, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Song Thrushes, 32 Siskins, 1 Peregrine, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Redwing, 5 Stonechats, 1 Water Rail, 2 Kestrels and 1 Swallow. Matt also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Birds ringed 56: Goldcrest 10, Chiffchaff 4, Firecrest 1, Wren 3, Blackcap 21, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 2, Robin 4, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 3, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thush 2, Blackbird 1.

 September 28th

We spent a bright morning ringing on the Marshes south of the railway where we saw 6 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Wagtails, 13 Skylarks, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Golden Plovers, 65 Siskins flying SW, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrests, 6 Chaffinches, 25 Lapwings, 22 Swallows flying S, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redpoll, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellowhammers, 15 Reed Buntings, 13 House Martins flying S, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Brambling, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Common Buzzards. 

Birds ringed 43: Willow Warbler 1, Goldcrest 2, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 3, Blue Tit 8, Cetti's Warbler 5, Robin 2, Reed Bunting 9, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 4, Linnet 1, Dunnock 3, Yellowhammer 1, Song Thrush 1, Starling 1.

Willow Warbler

 September 27th

We spent the morning ringing at one of our sites at Shuart where the highlight was seeing 2 Glossy Ibises flying S at 0720 (188th)  This was a new Reculver species for both Matt, Anne and me and only the third record for the area with the other two being single birds seen at Wade Farm on 16/09/1978 and at Netherhale on 28/12/2013. Other birds we recorded included 72 Lapwings, 1 Tawny Owl calling, 1 Curlew, 2 Water Rails, 127 Siskins flying W, 23 Song Thrushes, 15 Goldcrests, 10 Robins, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 64 Greylag Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Redwing, 600 Swallows, 1 Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Teal, 11 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 House Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Sand Martin.

Birds ringed 52: Goldcrest 8, Chiffchaff 8, Wren 1, Blackcap 18, Robin 5, Cetti's Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 4, Swallow 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 3.

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and saw 1 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Swallows SE, 1 Fieldfare, our first of the autumn, 18 Meadow Pipits S, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 6 Siskins W, 1 Redpoll W, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest and 6 Goldcrests.

A regular visitor to our garden 

 September 26th

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 18 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 23 Robins, 10 Goldcrests, 230 Siskins flying W, 82 Song Thrushes arriving from the NE, 6 Redwings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 316 Swallows, 1 Greenshank, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Water Rail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Skylarks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Redpoll W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Golden Plover,  Grey Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jay and 5 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 42: Wren 1, Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 8, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 6, Robin 10, Great Tit 1, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 7, Blackbird 2.

First year "continental" Song Thrush

After our ringing session, Matt walked from Bishopstone around the Reculver area. He recorded 9 Goldcrests, 2 Sand Martins, 55 Swallows, 3 Brambling, 34 Siskin, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Firecrests, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Dunlin, 47 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 117 Coot, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Stonechats, 1 Water Rail, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Whinchat.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0715 and 1230 walked from Shuart along the embankment and Green Wall and back along the seawall. He counted 13 Greylag Geese, 5 Lapwings flying S, 2 Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits E, 1 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Tawny Owl calling at 1155, several hundred Swallows flying SW, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Rock Pipit, 26 Song Thrushes, 18 Meadow Pipits S, 1 male Common Redstart, 17 Siskin W, 2 Brambling W, 7 Blackcaps, 19 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

First year Siskin - Derek Smith

Tawny Owl - Derek Smith

Whinchat - Derek Smith

 September 25th

On another breezy morning we walked inland at Reculver and then had a brief look at the sea. We saw 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 46 Gadwall, 48 Mallard, 125 Coot, 8 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebes, 5 Common Sandpipers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Wigeon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Buzzard, 80 Swallows W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Skylarks, 1 Little Egret, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sandwich Tern and 5 Shelduck E.

Derek Smith seawatched at Reculver from 0715 to 1000 and recorded 2 Red-throated Divers, 47 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 7 Shelduck W, 4 Teal W, 32 Common Scoter E, 1 distant skua, 1 Great Skua E, 1 Peregrine, 1 Curlew E, 130+ Swallows W and 1 Rock Pipit.

Adult summer plumaged Red-throated Diver- Derek Smith

Juvenile Red-throated Diver - Derek Smith

Brendan Ryan was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Upper Hale where he saw 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 4+ Siskins, 11 Swallows and 5 Green Woodpecker.

 September 24th 

With a fresh and blustery NE wind blowing we walked along the seawall from Reculver and recorded 1 Grey Heron, 1 Guillemot, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Peregrine, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Redshank, 31 Mallard, 2 Ringed Plovers, 14 Cormorants, 4 Stonechats, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Swallows E, 130 Linnets, 12 Teal, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Common Buzzard.

Derek Smith seawatched at Reculver between 0630 and 1000 and counted 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 36 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 11 Wigeon W, 1 Pintail W, 5 Teal W, 265 Common Scoter E, 4 Gannets W, 1 Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harriers W out at sea, 1 Guillemot, 3 large auks E, 2 distant skuas, 31 Swallows E, 1 Grey Wagtails W and 1 Rock Pipit.

Guillemot - Derek Smith

This morning Brendan Ryan walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the embankment. His highlights included 2 Redwings, 2 Bramblings,1 Redpoll, 38 Mallard, 75 Stock Doves, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 42 Swallows W, 19 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest.

During the morning John Harbottle found our first Snow Bunting of the autumn. 

Snow Bunting - John Harbottle

 September 23rd

This morning we walked inland at Reculver and then had a seawatch for one hour. We saw 22 Swallows W, 2 Goldcrests, 126 Coot, 3 Common Sandpipers, 60 Gadwall, 20 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Teal and 4 Shoveler and over the sea 10 Swallows W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 first year Pomarine Skua E,  1 Sandwich E, 4 Brent Geese W and 7 Gannets E.

Matt seawatched at Reculver between 0840 and 1000 and counted 6 Sandwich Terns, 49 Swallows W, 8 Teal W, 10 Gannets E, 1 Pomarine Skua E, 6 Wigeon W, 12 Brent Geese W, 3 Common Scoter, 5 Common Terns, 1 Arctic Skua W, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 large auk and also 2 Harbour Porpoises.

 September 22nd

Matt and I arrived at Reculver at 0630 and were joined by Derek Smith, Brendan Ryan, Thomas Miller and one or two more visiting birders. With a strong northerly wind blowing by 1220 Matt had totalled 182 Wigeon flying W, 1 Peregrine, 23 Sandwich Terns E, 50 Gannets E, 8 Kittiwakes W, 3 large auks, 24 Arctic Skuas W, 5 Dunlin, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Curlew W, 2 Shoveler W, 12 Teal W, 5 Pintail W, 2 Guillemots, 57 Brent Geese W, 9 Common Scoter, 27 Little Gulls W, 4 Great Skuas W, 1 Red-throated Diver, 13 Common Terns W 13 Shelduck W, 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull W, 1 Black Tern W, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Pomarine Skua W (187th).

First year Sabine's Gull - Thomas Miller

 

Pomarine Skua with Arctic Skua - Thomas Miller

 September 21st

Anne and I began the morning walking inland at Reculver and then spent an hour seawatching. On our walk we counted 1 Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 126 Coot, 61 Gadwall, 6 Mute Swans, 3 Common Sandpipers, 52 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Little Grebes, 9 Tufted Duck and 3 Chiffchaffs. On the sea we saw 9 Gannets, 83 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Peregrines, 1 Curlew, 1 Manx Shearwater flying W close inshore, 2 Arctic Skuas W, 1 Red-throated Diver E and 10 Common Terns W.

Matt spent from 0645 to 1115 at Reculver seawatching and he counted 84 Sandwich Terns, 38 Gannets, 61 Arctic Skuas W, 650 Common Terns, 5 Arctic Terns W, 18 Black Terns W, 2 Swallows, 8 Manx Shearwaters, 5W and 3E, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Terns W, 29 Little Gulls W, 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull W (186th), 1 large auk, 3 Dunlin, 3 Kittiwakes and 1 Mediterranean Gull. 

 September 20th

Rain stopped play this morning as thundery showers moved up from the south and we had to end our ringing session at Shuart. We saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Chiffchaffs, 25 Blackcaps, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Wagtail, 25 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 1 Whitethroat, 94 Swallows SE, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Kestrel, 3 Siskins and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Birds ringed 43: Chiffchaff 17, Firecrest 1, Goldcrests 2, Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 13, Reed Warbler 2, Goldfinch 2, Blue Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Dunnock 3.

First year female Firecrest

 September 19th

This morning began misty but it soon cleared and became increasingly warm as we ringed at Reculver. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Common Buzards, 1 Golden Plover, 1 juvenile Bullfinch, 20 Chiffchaffs, 30 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 73 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Grey Wagtails, 108 Coot, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Little Grebes, 49 Gadwall, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Swallows, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 House Martin, 8 Shoveler, 35 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sand Martins and 1 Hobby. We also saw 2 Clouded Yellows butterflies.

Birds ringed 59: Chiffchaff 18, Goldcrest 2, Wren 1, Blackcap 24, Blue Tit 4, Bullfinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 2, Great Tit 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and the Green Wall and then back along the seawall. He counted 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Egret. 1 Gannet E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 38 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 62 Sandwich Terns E, 16 Magpie flying W, 2 Song Thrushes, 12 Swallows, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 133 Meadow Pipits W, 4 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 13 Blackcaps, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 68 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

 September 18th

On a mild but breezy morning we walked around Reculver and saw 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 125 Coot, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Mute Swans, 5 Little Grebes, 68 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 62 Swallows, 8 Tufted Duck, 40 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Water Rail, 1 Teal, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Hobby, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Curlew and 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver on the sea off the Towers. 

Moulting summer plumaged Red-throated Diver - Matt Hindle

 This morning Matt walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 34 Chiffchaffs, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Curlew, 33 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Mediterranian Gull, 3 Kingfishers, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatears, 27 Swallows W, 8 Meadow Pipits W, 3 Redshank, 110 Linnets, 1 Whinchat, 3 Stonechats, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Ringed Plovers, 6 Sanderling, 15 Turnstone, 24 Mallard, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Ruff W, 18 Golden Plovers, 96 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcaps, 17 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels, 1 Hobby and 1 Snipe.

 September 17th

It was a wet and drizzly morning as we walked at Reculver and saw18 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron,  1 Spotted Flycatcher sitting on a breakwater in the drizzle, 2 Meadow Pipits, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 120 Coot, 5 Little Grebe, 65 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Wigeon, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Teal and 2 Common Buzzards.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal E, 1 Gadwall, 1 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 14 Common Terns E, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Swallows W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 11 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 37 Chiffchaffs.

 September 16th

On a sunny morning with a fresh westerly breeze blowing we walked at Reculver and recorded 34 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 13 Chiffchaffs, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 male Mandarin, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 40 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Ducks, 90 Mallard, 1 Bullfinch, 3 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Common Sandpipers, 126 Coot, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 19 Sandwich Terns W, 5 Robins and 2 Mediterranean Gulls W.

Matt was at Minnis Bay early and had a two hour seawatch where he saw 28 Common Terns E, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Kestrel, 28 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Gannets, 1 Knot W, 2 Manx Shearwaters offshore, 2 large auks W, 2 Swallows, 13 Crossbillls W, 17 Ringed Plovers, 1 immature Shag W and 9 Meadow Pipits W.