October 15th
We spent a dreary morning ringing at Shuart where the highlight was catching a Norwegian ringed Blackcap. Birds we saw include 7 Bramblings, 11 Chiffchaffs, 10 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 110 Goldcrests, 63 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 28 Lesser Redpoll, 93 Siskins W, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 30 Song Thrushes, 30 Robins, 1 Kestrel, 12 Skylarks, 4 Swallows, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Blackcap.

Birds ringed 64: Goldcrest 33, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 6, Blue Tit 1, Robin 13, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 1, Blackbird 4.

"Continental" Robin

Norwegian ringed Blackcap

During the morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart to the railway embankment between 0800 and 1200 and recorded 1 Peregrine, 1 Long-eared Owl, 5 Fieldfare S, 35 Blackbirds, 6 Redwings W, 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Shuart Farm calling frequently, 1 Pallas's Warbler (190th)west of Chambers Wall crossing, c350 Goldcrests all along the embankment and around Shuart Farm, 210 Chaffinches E, 11 Bramblings and 13 Redpolls W.

Pallas's Warbler - Derek Smith

Micky Baldock also found a Great Grey Shrike (191st) on the cliffs below the Miramar Rest Home in Beltinge.

Great Grey Shrike

This afternoon we walked around the Reculver area and saw 10 Goldcrests, 2 Siskins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Swallows, 5 Bramblings, 4 Stonechats, 10 Chaffinches and 1 Wheatear.

October 14th
On a cool, blustery and showery morning we birded in the lee of the trees and bushes at Reculver and Chamber's Wall and saw very little. Birds we did see included 2 Peregrines, 59 Chaffinches, 1 Stonechat, 17 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackbirds, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 6 Skylarks, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Redwing and 5 Song Thrushes.

Blue Tit feeding on Hawthorn berries

Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall and Potten Street between 0830 and 1200 and counted 45 Song Thrushes, 30 Redwings, 40 Skylarks N, 7 Chiffchaffs, 120 Goldcrests, 1 Brambling W and 3 Lesser Redpolls W.
There were still 2 "Continental" Coal Tits on our garden feeders today.
Micky Baldock spent some time at the Towers during the day and recorded 1 Manx Shearwater (188th), 3 Sooty Shearwaters (189th) in 10 minutes late pm, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Divers and 1 Gannet E. The area was also alive with Goldcrests.

October 13th
This morning was a bit of a disappointment. With a strong NNE wind blowing we arrived at the Towers early hoping for some seabirds to be moving, but it was very slow. All we saw in 90 minutes was 57 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 3 Wigeon, 1 Great Skua E, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Shelduck W, 22 Cormorants and 1 Red-throated Divers. In the bushes were 5 Goldcrests 1 Chiffchaff and 10 Chaffinches.
Later at Chamber's Wall we walked out to Coldharbour and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 12 Goldcrests, 1 Redwing, 12 Chaffinches, 27 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 3 Rock Pipits and 1 Turnstone.
When we got home we found 2 "Continental" Coal Tits on our bird feeders.

Carrion Crow

With a strong NNE. wind blowing, Ron Dubbins did a largely unproductive 3 hour seawatch from the Towers. Apart from the usual gulls and Cormorants, the only birds of note were several small flocks of Brent Geese totalling about 50 birds W, 1 Hobby in from the sea at the Towers, 1 Great Skua E, 4 Little Gulls E and 1 Red-throated Diver. 

October 12th
With the cool, east wind continuing to blow and on an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour before visiting Reculver on the way home. On our walk from Chamber's Wall we saw 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Kestrels, 7 Chiffchaffs, 19 Cormorants, 29 Goldfinches, 11 Chaffinches, 8 Skylarks, 46 Goldfinches, 34 Golden Plovers, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 136 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Ring Ouzels, 5 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 4 Redshank, 14 Reed Buntings, 24 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlews, 28 Mallard, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Teal, 31 Carrion Crows, 12 Lapwings, 4 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 1 Bearded Tit, 44 Lesser Redpoll W, 2 Swallows, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Robins and 1 Firecrest.
At Reculver we recorded 1 male Marsh Harrier, 10 Goldcrests, 6 Stonechats, 1 Swallow, 1 Brambling, 12 Song Thrushes, 18 Chaffinches and 30 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Female Stonechat

At Bishopstone Dave Smith saw 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Bramblings, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Chiffchaffs and lots of Goldcrests. At Reculver Church he also found a Yellow-browed Warbler and at Coldharbour a Firecrest.
Derek Smith was also out this morning walking from Shuart to Brooksend and seeing 1 Merlin, 96 Skylarks N, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 6 Swallows S, 60 Song Thrushes, 20 Redwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 19 Chiffchaffs, 65 Goldcrests, 22 Siskins W, 52 Lesser Redpolls W, 65 Chaffinches W, 1 Brambling W and 1 Coal Tit.
This morning Terry Wilson saw a Short-eared Owl, 15 Meadow Pipits and 5 Goldcrests at Plumpudding and 15 Brent Geese and 1 Kingfisher at Grenham Bay.
This afternoon Micky Baldock found a quite showy Dartford Warbler (187th) on the cliffs below the Miramar Rest Home at the extreme western end of our recording area.

Dartford Warbler - Julian Perry

October 11th
This morning dawned cooler and overcast with a fresh E wind blowing. We spent about an hour at the Towers and then walked up to Coldharbour before looking at Reculver bushes as we returned. Birds we saw included 568 Dark-bellied Brent Geese arriving from the east, 5 Little Egrets, 40 Common Scoter E, 43 Skylarks, 2 Gannets, 3 Grey Wagtails, 5 Rock Pipits, 9 Goldcrests, 20 Lesser Redpoll, 20 Wigeon W, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Pintail E, 1 Kingfisher, 55 Linnets, 17 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Grey Plover, 14 Cormorants, 1 Turnstone, 1 Short-eared Owl high out at sea being mobbed by Herring Gulls, 23 Mallard, 26 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats, 15 Teal W, 28 Carrion Crows, 21 Lapwings, 65 Goldfinches, 28 Oystercatchers, 2 Wheatears, 5 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Peregrine, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jays, 8 Chaffinches and 1 Raven. We also had brief views of a Harbour Porpoise.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 31 Goldcrests, 13 Song Thrushes, 16 Robins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 62 Brent Geese, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Little Egrets and 1 Kingfisher.
At the same time we walked round Shuart and saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 21 Goldfinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

October 10th
We had another ringing session at Reculver this morning and saw 12 Chiffchaffs, 17 Mute Swans, 1 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Water Rails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 47 Lesser Redpolls, 6 Song Thrushes, 20 Goldcrests, 5 Grey Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Partridges, 30 Meadow Pipits, 17 Skylarks, 2 Sparrowhawks, 21 Siskins, 1 Common Treecreeper singing, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 12 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel and 2 Peregrines.

Birds ringed 34: Goldcrest 13, Chiffchaff 8, Wren 3, Blackcap 3, Blue Tit 1, Lesser Redpoll 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2.

A Goldcrest we ringed at Shuart on Oct 1st was controlled at Sandwich Bay the next day.

Grey Wagtail

October 9th
This morning started chilly but the sun soon warmed things up and we had a good morning' ringing at Shuart. We saw 65 Lesser Redpolls mainly feeding in Greater Willowherb, 15 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Goldcrests, 11 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpekcers, 2 Reed Warblers, 34 Greylag Geese, 24 Goldfinches, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 31 Skylarks W, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Jay, 3 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Raven, 1 Swallow, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Crossbill W and 1 Siskin.

Birds ringed 50: Goldcrest 7, Chiffchaff 3, Wren 2, Robin 3, Lesser Redpoll 18, Blackcap 6, Reed Warbler 1, Blue Tit 2, Goldfinch 2, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1, Green Woodpecker 1.

Male Lesser Redpoll

Just after lunch we had a "Continental" Coal Tit in our garden at Bishopstone. 

October 8th
We spent the morning ringing near Reculver where we saw 14 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 2 Coot, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Kingfishers, 25 Goldcrests, 22 Long-tailed Tits, 13 Siskin, 12 Song Thrushes, 41 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Little Owl, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Redwing, 1 Treecreeper, 10 Skylarks, 3 Jays, 8 Tree Sparrows and 1 Little Egret.

Birds ringed 54: Goldcrest 15, Chiffchaff 10, Long-tailed Tit 6, Blackcap 9, Lesser Redpoll 1, Great Tit 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 4, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 3, Kingfisher 1.



Lesser Redpoll

Micky Baldock had 5 Bullfinches at Bishopstone and refound the pale Yellow Wagtail still at Reculver.
This afternoon a walk out onto the Marsh at Chamber's Wall produced 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 20 Oystercatchers, 18 Mallard, 2 Curlew, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Grey Wagtails.

October 7th
Highlight of our morning's ringing session at Shuart was catching a French ringed "continental" Coal Tit . This species is on the move from Northern Europe this year and Micky Baldock also had two in Bishopstone Glen this morning.

 

French ringed "continental" Coal Tit

Other birds noted at Shuart were 3 Green Woodpeckers, 24 Song Thrushes, 19 Lesser Redpoll W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 17 Siskins W, 13 Goldcrests, 8 Blackcaps, 50 Stock Doves, 3 Swallows, 2 Redwings, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 85 Lapwings SW, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 5 Tree Sparrows W, 16 Skylarks, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 20 Crossbills W (12+8)

Birds ringed 20: Wren 1, Goldcrest 8, Chiffchaff 2, Robin 1, Blackcap 4, Blue Tit 1, Song Thrush 3.

October 6th
After the overnight rain we ringed at Shuart for a couple of hours before the forecast mid morning rain arrived. We saw 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 56 Swallows flying S, 16 Blackcaps, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Song Thrushes, 15 Goldcrests, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Redwing, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Kestrel, 4 Skylarks, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Pied Wagtails and 8 Siskins.

Birds ringed 26: Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 7, Blackcap10, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 1, Blackbird 1.

Redwing

Later at Reculver Towers Matt found an interesting pale Yellow Wagtail with a nasal call of which I managed to take a few long distance shots. Is it possible it is of one of the eastern forms of this variable species?
Other birds seen included 14 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Pied Wagtails, 30 House Sparrows, 1 male Common Redstart, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawks.

Pale juvenile Yellow Wagtail on grass behind Reculver Towers

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 4 Swallows, 1 Siskin, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrests, 28 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 19 Golden Plover, 42 Oystercatchers, 12 Cormorants, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Peregrine, 1 Curlew and 1 Kingfisher.
At 1230 Terry Wilson saw a Short-eared Owl being mobbed by the local gulls flying in off the sea at Grenham Bay.

October 5th
It was dull and dreary as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning and saw 12 Pied Wagtails, 17 Cormorants, 64 Oystercatchers, 93 Linnets, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Redshank, 41 Goldfinches, 19 Mallard, 2 Kestrels, 3 Teal, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Mute Swans, 3 Lesser Redpoll W, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrests.

Goldfinches

Micky Baldock had 2 Ravens flying south at the Towers this morning.

October 4th
On a wonderful autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and then along the seawall and railway embankment. Birds we saw included 2 Mute Swans, 7 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 46 Chaffinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Long-eared Owl disturbed from bushes at Chamber's Wall, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Song Thrushes, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 21 Mallard, 17 Skylarks, 6 Redshank, 28 Linnets, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Cormorants, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Reed Buntings, 1 juvenile Gannet flying E close inshore, 1 Wheatear, 2 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Swallows, 10 Magpies, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrels and 2 Siskins.

Long-eared Owl being chased by local Carrion Crow

Derek Smith, Tim Hodge and Kerry McDonnell were also out between 0700 and 1100 at Shuart and the railway embankment and counted 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 46 Lapwings W, 2 Jays W, 23 Swallows W, 14 Skylarks W, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 28 Pied Wagtails W, 36 Meadow Pipits W, 25 Song Thrushes, 1 Reed Warbler, 16 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 55 Goldcrests, 1 Coal Tit (186th), 43 Lesser Redpoll W and 73 Siskins W.

October 3rd
On a foggy morning we managed to have a good ringing session at Reculver. We saw 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Wigeon, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 82 Goldcrests, 35 Chiffchaffs, 40 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Redwings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 21 Chaffinches, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 6 Siskins, 6 Swallows, 1 Firecrest, 6 Song Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Jays.

Birds ringed 85: Goldcrest 27, Chiffchaff  21, Firecrest 1, Wren 3, Robin 3, Blackcap 21, Blue Tit 3, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 3.

Male Goldcrest

Derek Smith and Tim Hodge were also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and the railway embankment and back via Potten Street. They saw 1 Snipe E, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 33 Song Thrushes, 4 Redwings W, 4 Swallows W, 110 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 43 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 140 Goldcrests, 3 Redpoll and 18 Siskins W.
During the afternoon Matt and Marion walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall inland and then back along the seawall. They saw 36 Goldcrests, 29 Chiffchaffs, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Wagtail, 14 Siskins, 2 Wheatears, 2 Kestrels, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Swallows, 23 Chaffinches, 5 Grey Partridges, 34 Mallard, 12 Golden Plovers, 3 Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grey Heron, 50 Goldfinches, 5 Stonechats, 7 Redpoll, 45 Meadow Pipits, 215 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Teal, 3 Redshank, 14 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone and 1 Curlew.

October 2nd
On a much less windy morning we had another ringing session at Shuart where we saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 66 Red-legged Partridges, 24 Mallard, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 12 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Skylarks W, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Lesser Redpolls, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Song Thrushes, 34 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Siskins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Swallows, 1 Kestrel and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Birds ringed 47: Chiffchaff 6, Goldcrest 3, Wren 1, Blackcap 9, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Robin 1, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 18, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 1.



Lesser Whitethroat

Garden Warbler

 

This afternoon a walk around the Reculver area produced 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 25 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Song Thrushes, 14 Wigeon, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Gadwall and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

This morning Dave Smith found a Firecrest at Bishopstone.

October 1st
We spent another morning ringing near Shuart and saw 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Firecrest, 1 Brambling (185th), 8 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 17 Song Thrushes, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 21 Siskins, 29 Lapwings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Redwings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 45 Goldfinches, 9 Skylarks, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Swallows, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Cetti's Warbler  and 1 Grey Wagtail. We also found a Willow Emerald Damselfly.

Birds ringed 23: Chiffchaff 2, Firecrest 1, Goldcrest 6, Robin 3, Blackcap 6, Chaffinch 1, Great Tit 1, Garden Warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

Female Firecrest

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 15 Swallows, 13 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels, 2 House Martins, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 14 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Wheatear, 2 Curlews, 1 Sanderling, 2 Blackcaps, 30 Linnets, 3 Oystercatchers and 1 Sedge Warbler.