February 15th
Matt visited Reculver this morning and saw 9 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Siskins, 9 Tufted Ducks, 8 Mallard, 3 Coot, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Goldcrests.
At Shuart he found 1 Woodcock, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Common Buzzards, 80 Greylag Geese and 1 Marsh Harrier.
I received an email from Mike Roser who visted Reculver later this morning and wrote "1050-1115 watched a Little Auk (119th) from the Reculver Towers car-park. It was close to shoreline on the receding tide. The bird was constantly diving to evade the marauding gulls. On one occasion it surfaced close to an immature Herring Gull which grabbed the auk only to drop it back into the sea as the gull gained height. The gulls appeared to lose interest and the last time I saw the auk it was drifting west on the lumpy tide."
We didn't manage to get out until this afternoon and visited Shuart where we saw at least 1 Woodcock, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Goldfinches, 56 Lapwings and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
At Minnis Bay we saw a Fulmar and 80 Cormorants.
This afternoon Charlie Vint had a sick looking Guillemot on the sea at Reculver.
Monday, 15 February 2016
Sunday, 14 February 2016
February 14th
We began the morning with a 30 minute seawatch at Minnis Bay and recorded 5 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Great Northern Diver E, 231 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 45 Cormorants, 1 Kittiwake and 1 Curlew.
We then visited Shuart and Reculver before the heavy rain began and saw 36 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 25 Chaffinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Tufted Ducks, 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Chiffchaff.
Whilst we were doing this Matt seawatched from the Towers and counted 49 Red-throated Divers, 1 adult Little Gull, 7 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua W and 6 Great Crested Grebes.
We began the morning with a 30 minute seawatch at Minnis Bay and recorded 5 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Great Northern Diver E, 231 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 45 Cormorants, 1 Kittiwake and 1 Curlew.
We then visited Shuart and Reculver before the heavy rain began and saw 36 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 25 Chaffinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Tufted Ducks, 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Chiffchaff.
Whilst we were doing this Matt seawatched from the Towers and counted 49 Red-throated Divers, 1 adult Little Gull, 7 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua W and 6 Great Crested Grebes.
Saturday, 13 February 2016
February 13th
On a cold and overcast morning with a chilly SE breeze still blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour returning just before it began to rain. We saw 866 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine, 4 Mute Swans, 13 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Red-throated Divers, 73 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plovers, 42 Mallard, 3 Curlews, 2 Shelduck, 6 Cormorants, 23 Carrion Crows and 1 Marsh Harrier.
Julian Perry had 2 Blackcaps, a male and female, feeding in his garden at Bishopstone.
On a cold and overcast morning with a chilly SE breeze still blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour returning just before it began to rain. We saw 866 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine, 4 Mute Swans, 13 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Red-throated Divers, 73 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plovers, 42 Mallard, 3 Curlews, 2 Shelduck, 6 Cormorants, 23 Carrion Crows and 1 Marsh Harrier.
Julian Perry had 2 Blackcaps, a male and female, feeding in his garden at Bishopstone.
Friday, 12 February 2016
February 12th
After another overnight frost and a sunny start the morning quickly clouded over and a chilly SE wind started to blow. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with the tide a long way out and counted 850 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Meadow Pipits, 5 Grey Plovers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 23 Cormorants, 25 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 71 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 24 Mallard, 1 Dunlin, 6 Reed Buntings, 3 Turnstone, 2 Shelduck, 35 Linnets and 2 Mute Swans.
On the way home we made a brief visit to Shuart where found 1 Firecrest (118th), 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Goldfinches and 2 Common Buzzards.
After another overnight frost and a sunny start the morning quickly clouded over and a chilly SE wind started to blow. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with the tide a long way out and counted 850 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Meadow Pipits, 5 Grey Plovers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 23 Cormorants, 25 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 71 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 24 Mallard, 1 Dunlin, 6 Reed Buntings, 3 Turnstone, 2 Shelduck, 35 Linnets and 2 Mute Swans.
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| Meadow Pipit |
On the way home we made a brief visit to Shuart where found 1 Firecrest (118th), 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Goldfinches and 2 Common Buzzards.
Thursday, 11 February 2016
February 11th
After an overnight frost today dawned sunny and calm for a change so we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and then out to Plumpudding Riding Centre before returning along Shuart Drove. We saw 1 Kestrel, 26 Blackbirds, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 500+ Woodpigeons, 22 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Yellowhammers, 80 Rooks, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Tufted Duck, 24 Coot, 118 Greylag Geese, 1 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Curlew, 41 Mute Swans, 4 Gadwall, 7 Skylarks singing and 1 Corn Bunting.
Mike and Maria Longdon had a walk from Minnis Bay this morning and shortly before high tide counted 60 Ringed Plovers on the shingle between Plumpudding lagoon and Coldharbour plus 6 Curlews and 20+ Grey Plovers.
After an overnight frost today dawned sunny and calm for a change so we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and then out to Plumpudding Riding Centre before returning along Shuart Drove. We saw 1 Kestrel, 26 Blackbirds, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 500+ Woodpigeons, 22 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Yellowhammers, 80 Rooks, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Tufted Duck, 24 Coot, 118 Greylag Geese, 1 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Curlew, 41 Mute Swans, 4 Gadwall, 7 Skylarks singing and 1 Corn Bunting.
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| Greylag Geese |
Mike and Maria Longdon had a walk from Minnis Bay this morning and shortly before high tide counted 60 Ringed Plovers on the shingle between Plumpudding lagoon and Coldharbour plus 6 Curlews and 20+ Grey Plovers.
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
February 10th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and dropped in at Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 112 Cormorants flying inland to the Stour Valley, 2 Little Egrets, 1,120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Reed Buntings, 12 Redshank, 4 Shelduck, 36 Linnets, 106 Oystercatchers, 8 Grey Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plovers, 26 Mallard, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 8 Dunlin, 4 Coot, 4 Tufted Ducks and 1 Green Sandpiper.
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and dropped in at Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 112 Cormorants flying inland to the Stour Valley, 2 Little Egrets, 1,120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Reed Buntings, 12 Redshank, 4 Shelduck, 36 Linnets, 106 Oystercatchers, 8 Grey Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plovers, 26 Mallard, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 8 Dunlin, 4 Coot, 4 Tufted Ducks and 1 Green Sandpiper.
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| Dark-bellied Brent Geese |
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
February 9th
This morning Julian Perry had a Blackcap (117th) feeding on fat balls in his garden at Bishopstone.
After this morning's rain we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour in bright sunshine this afternoon. We saw 19 Cormorants, 5 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 1 Turnstone, 1 Peregrine flying out to sea, 1 Merlin, 1,150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Curlew and 6 Mute Swans.
I had an email from Bob Dean today to say that he had seen a ringed Herring Gull yesterday at Grenham Bay that had been ringed as a four year old bird at Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex on November 15th 2014. It had travelled 58 km SE.
This morning Julian Perry had a Blackcap (117th) feeding on fat balls in his garden at Bishopstone.
After this morning's rain we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour in bright sunshine this afternoon. We saw 19 Cormorants, 5 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 1 Turnstone, 1 Peregrine flying out to sea, 1 Merlin, 1,150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Curlew and 6 Mute Swans.
I had an email from Bob Dean today to say that he had seen a ringed Herring Gull yesterday at Grenham Bay that had been ringed as a four year old bird at Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex on November 15th 2014. It had travelled 58 km SE.
Monday, 8 February 2016
February 8th
With yet another SW gale blowing this morning I don't think there will be much of interest in the area until there is a significant change in the weather or spring migration begins. Anyway we went out this morning more in hope than expectation and at Minnis Bay saw 24 Gannets, 38 Cormorants, 2 Red-throated Divers and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
At Shuart and Reculver we recorded 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 22 Mute Swans, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 75 Greylag Geese, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 10 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Later Matt found a Rock Pipit on the concrete apron at Reculver.
With yet another SW gale blowing this morning I don't think there will be much of interest in the area until there is a significant change in the weather or spring migration begins. Anyway we went out this morning more in hope than expectation and at Minnis Bay saw 24 Gannets, 38 Cormorants, 2 Red-throated Divers and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
At Shuart and Reculver we recorded 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 22 Mute Swans, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 75 Greylag Geese, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 10 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Later Matt found a Rock Pipit on the concrete apron at Reculver.
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| Red-legged Partridge |
Sunday, 7 February 2016
February 7th
The morning started with 22 Golden Plover flying W over our garden at Bishopstone.
It was bright and sunny if a bit chilly as we later walked at Minnis Bay as the tide was covering the rocks and counted 102 Oystercatchers, 56 Grey Plovers, 7 Curlews, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Redshank, 81 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 62 Great Crested Grebes, 27 Turnstone, 113 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling.
On our way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 28 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Gadwall and 2 Mallard.
The morning started with 22 Golden Plover flying W over our garden at Bishopstone.
It was bright and sunny if a bit chilly as we later walked at Minnis Bay as the tide was covering the rocks and counted 102 Oystercatchers, 56 Grey Plovers, 7 Curlews, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Redshank, 81 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 62 Great Crested Grebes, 27 Turnstone, 113 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling.
On our way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 28 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Gadwall and 2 Mallard.
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| Curlew with 3 Oystercatchers |
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| Redshank |
Saturday, 6 February 2016
February 6th
With a gale force southerly wind forecast this morning we decided to walk at Minnis Bay where we saw 17 Gannets, 51 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Grey Plovers, 14 Turnstone, 2 Red-throated Divers, 26 Oystercatchers, 234 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Common Scoter, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Peregrine, 48 Redshank and 1 Curlew.
On the way home we walked around the Shuart area and recorded 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 28 Mute Swans, 45 Greylag Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mallard and 4 Long-tailed Tits.
With a gale force southerly wind forecast this morning we decided to walk at Minnis Bay where we saw 17 Gannets, 51 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Grey Plovers, 14 Turnstone, 2 Red-throated Divers, 26 Oystercatchers, 234 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Common Scoter, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Peregrine, 48 Redshank and 1 Curlew.
On the way home we walked around the Shuart area and recorded 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 28 Mute Swans, 45 Greylag Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mallard and 4 Long-tailed Tits.
Friday, 5 February 2016
February 5th
On an overcast morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Gannets, 11 Red-throated Divers, 628 Cormorants, 334 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Redshank, 11 Linnets, 1 Snipe, 4 Stonechats, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstones, 10 Chaffinches, 12 Oystercatchers, 28 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 28 Carrion Crows, 4 Corn Buntings and 7 Goldfinches.
On an overcast morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Gannets, 11 Red-throated Divers, 628 Cormorants, 334 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Redshank, 11 Linnets, 1 Snipe, 4 Stonechats, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstones, 10 Chaffinches, 12 Oystercatchers, 28 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 28 Carrion Crows, 4 Corn Buntings and 7 Goldfinches.
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| Turnstone |
Thursday, 4 February 2016
February 4th
We began the morning with a half hour seawatch at Minnis Bay and saw 1 Great Northern Diver flying W, 11 Red-throated Divers flying W, 142 Gannets feeding offshore, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck and 107 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Next we walked at both Shuart and Reculver and recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 90 Greylag Geese, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 14 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 500 Woodpigeons, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Green Sandpiper.
We began the morning with a half hour seawatch at Minnis Bay and saw 1 Great Northern Diver flying W, 11 Red-throated Divers flying W, 142 Gannets feeding offshore, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck and 107 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Next we walked at both Shuart and Reculver and recorded 4 Common Buzzards, 90 Greylag Geese, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 14 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 500 Woodpigeons, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
February 3rd
On a chilly morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour starting in bright sunshine and finishing in rain. Birds we saw included 8 Goldfinches, 32 House Sparrows, 1 Rock Pipit, 182 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Gannets W, 9 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 29 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Curlew, 31 Carrion Crows, 12 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Linnets, 27 Lapwings W, 9 Golden Plovers, 3 Turnstone and 1 Kestrel.
On a chilly morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour starting in bright sunshine and finishing in rain. Birds we saw included 8 Goldfinches, 32 House Sparrows, 1 Rock Pipit, 182 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Gannets W, 9 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 29 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Curlew, 31 Carrion Crows, 12 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Linnets, 27 Lapwings W, 9 Golden Plovers, 3 Turnstone and 1 Kestrel.
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
February 2nd
We began this morning with a half hour seawatch at Minnis Bay and counted 37 Gannets feeding offshore, 1 Kittiwake, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Red-throated Divers, 58 Grey Plovers, 40 Dunlin, 3 Curlew and 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Later we visited Reculver and saw 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Jay and 1 Water Rail.
We began this morning with a half hour seawatch at Minnis Bay and counted 37 Gannets feeding offshore, 1 Kittiwake, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Red-throated Divers, 58 Grey Plovers, 40 Dunlin, 3 Curlew and 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Later we visited Reculver and saw 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Jay and 1 Water Rail.
Monday, 1 February 2016
February 1st
It was a struggle this morning as we walked along the seawall at Reculver with an unpleasant, strong WSW wind and not many birds to be seen. All we managed to see on our walk to Coldharbour and back was 2 Goldfinches, 291 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 31 Mallard, 8 Redshank, 65 Linnets, 1 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
It was a struggle this morning as we walked along the seawall at Reculver with an unpleasant, strong WSW wind and not many birds to be seen. All we managed to see on our walk to Coldharbour and back was 2 Goldfinches, 291 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 31 Mallard, 8 Redshank, 65 Linnets, 1 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
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