October 15th
On a beautiful, sunny, autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall to Reculver. We recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 52 Golden Plover, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Redwing, 2 Brambling, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechats, 21 Reed Buntings, 22 Redshank, 48 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 24 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipits, 24 Turnstone, 39 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapland Bunting, 14 Cormorants, 1 Water Rail, 1 Sanderling, 90 Linnets, 27 Lapwings, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 12 Siskins W, 2 Tree Sparrows and 10 Robins.

Lapland Bunting

Marc Heath was out early this morning and recorded 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Shorelark flying W, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Velvet Scoters E (189th), 1 Yellowhammer, 11 Tree Sparrows, 1 Goldeneye W, 1 Red Kite W, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Stonechats, 100 Sanderling, 20 Wigeon and 1 Green Sandpiper.

Tree Sparrow - Alex Perry

Red Kite - Alex Perry

Velvet Scoter - Alex Perry

On their way back to Chambers Wall, Julian and Alex Perry met up with Marc Heath, and together saw 11 Tree Sparrows, 1 Peregrine and 1 Red Kite. Earlier in the morning, on arrival at Chambers Wall, Julian and Alex also had a ring-tail Hen Harrier fly over.
Dave Smith was also out this morning and covered the western half of the Marsh and saw 1 Shorelark W, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Velvet Scoter E, 1 Red Kite, 33 Fieldfare, 2 Brambling, 11 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Grey Partridges, 1 Wheatear, 9 Corn Buntings, 6 Tree Sparrows W, 30 Redwings, 30 Song Thrushes, 1 Merlin and a trickle of Swallows and House Martins W.
Chris Sear also found this Lesser Redpoll sunning itself at Chamber's Wall.

Lesser Redpoll

October 14th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We saw 2 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Lapwings, 5 Bramblings, 2 Chiffchaffs, 18 Goldfinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Redwing, 25 Chaffinches, 15 Tree Sparrows, 22 Swallows W, 3 Grey Herons, 5 Stonechats, 38 Mallard, 23 Greylag Geese E, 2 White-fronted Geese E, 15 Song Thrushes, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Golden Plovers, 110 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Redshank, 1 Grey Partridge, 9 Linnets, 1 Rock Pipit, 21 Teal, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Bearded Tits, 6 Wigeon, 2 Red-throated Divers, 10 Cormorants, 2 Shorelarks, 1 Pintail, 1 Curlew, 3 Sanderling and 14 Ringed Plovers.

Goldfinch

October 13th
We had an enjoyable early morning walk from Reculver to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. We saw a good range of species including 1 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Rock Pipits, 17 Robins, 16 Redshank, 38 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Mallard, 1 Dunlin, 8 Stonechats, 12 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Shorelarks on the beach between the Green Wall and Coldharbour, 4 White-fronted Geese (188th), 2 adults and 2 juveniles, flying out to sea, 4 Turnstone, 1 Kestrel, 5 Teal, 21 Linnets, 3 Bramblings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Dunnocks hopping about on the seawall, 28 Goldfinches, 52 Carrion Crows, 9 Mute Swans, 40 Ringed Plovers, 7 Skylarks, 10 Gannets E, 9 Wigeon E, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Fieldfares, 4 Tree Sparrows, 11 Golden Plovers, 6 Song Thrushes, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Pintail, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Redwing and 1 Kingfisher.

Shorelark

Dave Smith was also out early and at Reculver bushes saw 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Bramblings, 1 Fieldfare and 1 Marsh Harrier.
This evening at Reculver, Matt found 25 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings and 40 Song Thrushes.

October 12th
We spent the morning ringing out on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 14 Skylarks, 2 Kestrels, 4 Bramblings, 1 Blackcap, 1 Swallow, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Wagtails, 25 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds and 30 Meadow Pipits. We also refound the Great Grey Shrike between the railway and the Thanet Way. It is best viewable from the layby on the Thanet Way, 400 metres east of the Roman Galley.

Birds ringed 50: Wren 6, Chiffchaff 2, Blue Tit 3, Robin 6, Reed Bunting 10, Stonechat 2, Chaffinch 1, Meadow Pipit 5, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 7.

Male and female Stonechat

 

Terry Wilson was out at Minnis Bay this morning and counted 80 Sanderling, 7 Grey Plovers, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Curlew, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Stonechats, 80 Starlings and good numbers of Turnstones and Meadow Pipits.

Late this afternoon Mark Chidwick found 2 newly arrived Shorelarks (187th) on the beach just west of Coldharbour. He also saw a funnel cloud.

 

Shorelarks - Mark Chidwick

  

Funnel cloud - Mark Chidwick

 

 

I received information today about a ringed first year male Blackcap we mist netted at Reculver on September 24th. It had been ringed at Durlston Country Park, Dorset on September 21st and had flown 236 km ENE in three days.

October 11th
On a mainly sunny and still morning we ringed at Shuart where we saw 2 Kestrels, 24 Redwings, 7 Bramblings, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Stonechats, 1 Water Rail, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 18 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 60 Song Thrushes, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 23 Skylarks, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Lesser Redpoll W, 32 Siskins W, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Lapwings, 30 Meadow Pipits, 17 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 1 acredula type Willow Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Red-legged Partridges.

Birds ringed 66: Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 17, Wren 3, Willow Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Robin 8, Blackcap 12, Cetti's Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 7, Song Thrush 9, Redwing 2, Blackbird 2.

Acredula type Willow Warbler

Dave Smith highlights this morning were 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap and good numbers of Chiffchaffs at Bishopstone and 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Bramblings at Reculver.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding between 0730 and 1200 and counted 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe W, 28 Golden Plovers, 51 Swallows W, 12 House Martins W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear, 70 Song Thrushes, 18 Fieldfares, 65 Redwings, 80 Blackbirds, 12 Stonechats, 47 Chiffchaffs, 28 Blackcaps, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 46 Goldcrests, 16 Siskins W and 6 Bramblings W.
This morning at Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Plovers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 14 Turnstone, 1 Curlew and a few Swallows flying W over the sea.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. Birds we saw included 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 8 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Song Thrushes, 7 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 14 Mallard, 8 Turnstone, 3 Bearded Tits, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Gadwall, 2 Little Egrets, 38 Linnets, 2 Bramblings, 2 Swallows, 6 Tree Sparrows, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 normal Willow Warbler, 20 Chaffinches and 4 Goldcrests.

October 10th
With the sun shining brightly and a cool NE breeze blowing we spent  the morning ringing at Reculver. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Little Owl, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler retrapped from 7th, 6 Redwings, 24 Song Thrushes, 12 Goldcrests, 2 Water Rails, 9 Chiffchaffs, 56 Chaffinches, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 Bramblings, 1 Firecrest also retrapped from 7th, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 13 Skylarks, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 1 Golden Plover.

Birds ringed 28: Wren 5, Goldcrest 7, Chiffchaff 6, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 3, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 1.

Goldcrest

After we had finished ringing Matt walked west from Reculver and saw 14 Swallows, 2 Stonechats, 7 alba Wagtails, 28 Grey Partridges, 1 Peregrine, 14 Dunnocks, 1 Whinchat, 44 Skylarks, 80 House Sparrows, 1 Siskin, 23 Corn Buntings, 8 Goldcrests, 23 Song Thrushes, 1 Brambling, 1 Common Redstart, 9 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Cetti's Warblers.

Stonechat

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall seeing 1 Peregrine, 27 Golden Plovers, 46 Redwings, 35 Song Thrushes, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchafffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still at the White Poplars, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 63 Goldcrests and 6 Corn Buntings.
He was also out this afternoon and walked from Netherhale to Brooksend and Shuart. The best bird he found was a Great White Egret (186th) at Brooksend, the seventh to be recorded in the area. He also counted 36 Chaffinches W, 4 Bramblings W, 9 Siskins W, 1 Peregrine, 2 Wheatears, 9 Chiffchaffs and 48 Goldfinches.

Great White Egret - Derek Smith

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and recorded 9 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Swallows W, 8 Redwings, 16 Song Thrushes, 6 Tree Sparrows, 5 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldcrests, 28 Mallard, 5 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 64 Carrion Crows, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 juvenile Gannets E, 2 Wheatears, 3 Bramblings, 51 Wigeon, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Pintail, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Grey Partridges and 1 Fieldfare.

October 9th
According to the weather forecast on my phone, this morning was going to be dry and cloudy, in the event a continuous stream of heavy and torrential showers arrived from the north east. We spent the first 40 minutes sheltering in our car at Reculver car park but I then decided to brave the elements and walk up to Coldharbour getting soaked in the process. The return walk however was relatively dry. Birds seen included 154 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Common Scoter E, 33 Oystercatchers, 74 Wigeon, 38 Mallard, 12 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plovers, 47 Meadow Pipits, 13 Cormorants, 48 Carrion Crows, 1 Brambling, very bedraggled and hopping along the seawall, 2 Teal, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 6 Skylarks, 22 Goldfinches, 75 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Reed Buntings, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Kingfisher and 4 Pied Wagtails.

A wet morning at Reculver

Derek Smith found a newly arrived Yellow-browed Warbler in a bush beside the seawall at Plumpudding and another on the railway embankment. Other birds he recorded as he spent from 0740 to 1330 walking from Shuart to Plumpudding, Coldharbour and the railway embankment included 130 Wigeon, 30 Lapwings E, 1 Woodcock flushed from the Green Wall, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Swallows W, 36 Redwings, 65 Song Thrushes, 2 Wheatears, 12 Stonechats, 5 Tree Sparrows W, 31 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 48 Goldcrests, 6 Bramblings W, 4 Siskins W, 18 Goldfinches W, 28 Corn Buntings and 1 Firecrest.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith

Marc Heath also found 2 Ring Ouzels near Coldharbour and Barry Wright found a Yellow-browed Warbler at Bishosptone.

October 8th
The best bird of a showery morning was a Great Grey Shrike (184th) found by Dave Smith south of the railway and moving west towards the Roman Galley.

Distant Great Grey Shrike

Other birds we saw on our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Green Wall included 4 Kestrels, 40 Chaffinches, 8 Redwings, 27 Song Thrushes, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Robins, 132 Wigeon, 3 Stonechat, 55 Mallard, 9 Redshank, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Snipe, 4 Fieldfares, 8 Oystercatchers, 36 Linnets, 2 Wheatears, 1 Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Water Rail, 2 Ring Ouzels and 10 Golden Plovers.
Dave Smith also counted 2 Lapland Buntings (185th) flying inland over the Oyster Farm, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Bramblings, 5 Swallows, 13 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 30 Goldcrests, 15 Redwings, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Peregrine and 20 Reed Buntings.
Marc Heath also found a Yellow-browed Warbler in Bishopstone Glen.
Derek Smith spent the whole day birding at the eastern end of the Marsh which resulted in some impressive totals. He counted 4 Common Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Peregrines, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 54 Wigeon, 23 Lapwings S, 62 Swallows E, 60 Blackbirds, 2 Ring Ouzels, 6 Stonechats, 77 Blackcaps, 36 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 42 Goldcrests, 234 Chaffinches W, 21 Siskins W, 6 Bramblings W and 1 Yellowhammer E.

October 7th
We spent an overcast but less windy morning ringing at Reculver. Birds we saw included 2 Bramblings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Mallard, 1 Kingfisher, 20 Chiffchaffs, 13 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Siskins, 1 Water Rail, 10 Blackcaps, 18 Goldcrests, 2 Jays, 10 Robins, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Firecrest, 42 Song Thrushes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 30 Chaffinches, 1 Little Owl, 8 Redwings and 3 Swallows.

Birds ringed 55: Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 14, Goldcrest 9, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 9, Blackcap 5, Dunnock 3, Song Thrush 12, Blackbird 1.

Male Firecrest



This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. We saw 3 Stonechats, 20 Chaffinches, 3 Swallows, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cettis Warblers, 270 Golden Plovers, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Blackcaps, 43 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, 27 Robins, including one or two on the beach, 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Redshank, 24 Common Scoter E, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Wigeon, 1 Rock Pipit, 23 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 16 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens, 2 Bramblings and 1 Kingfisher.

October 6th
We managed to find a sheltered spot from the cool easterly wind at Shuart this morning for our ringing session and saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 47 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, 14 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Blackcaps, 14 Robins, 14 Greylag Geese, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 1 Short-eared Owl W, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler calling a couple of times, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Swallows, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Firecrest.

Birds ringed 27: Goldcrest 8, Chiffchaff 1, Robin 7, Blackcap 4, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 2.

Robin

Dave Smith was also out early this morning at Bishopstone where he found 1 Firecrest, 1 Brambling, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs and 20+ Goldcrests and at Reculver Bushes where he saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 5 Redwings and lots of Song Thrushes.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and found 17 Teal, 107 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 22 Greylag Geese, 6 Stonechats, 7 Chiffchaffs, 35 Song Thrushes, 11 Goldcrests, 76 Golden Plovers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, a very dull individual we saw once but were unable to find again, 1 Kestrel, 3 Redwings, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Robins, 81 Wigeon, 52 Mallard, 11 Redshank, 2 Swallows, 2 Shelduck, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Razorbill, 2 Turnstone, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Peregrine and 1 Common Redstart.
Derek Smith was out all day and covered the whole eastern half of the Marsh. His totals for birds seen were 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 adult female Peregrine, 6 Common Buzzards, 120 Golden Plovers, 350 Starlings W, 4 Stonechats, 140 Song Thrushes, 36 Redwings, 48 Chiffchaffs, 16 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 100+ Goldcrests.

October 5th
It was a sunny morning but there was a brisk easterly wind blowing as we birded Reculver and then walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall and railway embankment. We counted 21 Goldcrests, 12 Chiffchaffs, 26 Robins, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Snipe, 61 Song Thrushes, 11 Stonechats, 26 Corn Buntings, 41 Reed Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Redwing, 113 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 3 Golden Plovers, 71 Mallard, 35 Oystercatchers, 31 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Pintail, 1 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 16 Meadow Pipits, 17 Goldfinches, 1 Little Egret, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Jack Snipe (182nd).
In addition Dave Smith found a Yellow-browed Warbler at Reculver bushes and Julian Perry found another one this afternoon at Bishopstone Glen.

Stonechat

We had a seawatch at the Towers for a couple of hours this afternoon and saw some good birds. These included 226 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 32 Common Scoter, 21 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 large auk E, 3 Great Skuas E, 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull (183rd) sitting on the sea off the Towers for half an hour before flying E with 2 Little Gulls, 154 Wigeon W, 1 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Arctic Terns E, 3 Little Gulls E, 4 Teal, 8 Pintail W, 1 adult pale phase Pomarine Skua and 1 Arctic Skua.

October 4th
With an increasing E wind blowing we had a ringing session at Reculver where there had been an overnight arrival of Song Thrushes. Birds we saw during the morning incuded 2 Grey Wagtails 1 Brambling, 60 Song Thrushes, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Lapwings, 60 Linnets, 7 Golden Plovers, 1 Water Rail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 18 Skylarks, 2 Siskins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Merlin,  Mallard, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 23 Goldfinches and 8 Red-legged Partridges.

Birds ringed 23: Chiffchaff 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 4, Robin 3, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 9, Blackbird 2.



"Continental" Song Thrush

 

This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 35 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 1 Brambling, 32 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 60 Mallard, 33 Dark-belled Brent Geese, 11 Sandwich Terns, 2 Swallows, 2 Wheatears, 6 Grey Plovers, 10 Teal, 1 Little Tern, 8 Common Terns, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill and 1 pale phase adult Pomarine Skua (181st).

Later at Reculver we saw 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Greylag Geese E, 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Teal W, 1 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 42 Common Scoter sitting on the sea, 4 Pintail E, 15 Song Thrushes, 10 Robin and 4 Chiffchaff. 

There were still many Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers in places sheltered from the easterly wind.

 

Migrant Hawker

 

October 3rd
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Redwings, 2 Brambling, 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrels, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 15 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Swallows, 2 Snipe, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Stonechats, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Golden Plover, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Jays, 18 Reed Buntings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Mallard, 15 Skylarks and 1 male Bullfinch.

Birds ringed 42: Chiffchaff 4, Wren 1, Blackcap 12, Robin 1, Whitethroat 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Goldfinch 2, Great Tit 2, Reed Bunting 14, Greenfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 1.

Adult Redwing

Dave Smith was also out early this morning at Reculver and had 1 Redwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Chiffchaffs and 120 Golden Plovers.
On a warm afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and found 1 Siskin, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 4 Rock Pipits, 7 Pintail SW, 45 Goldfinches, 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper on the breakwaters at Coldharbour with 2 Turnstone, 1 Peregrine, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 4 Bramblings.
We also found 2 shrews both unfortunately dead on the track between the railway and Coldharbour. The first a Common Shrew had two ticks attached both full of blood and the other was a Water Shrew. I've seen Water Shrews in this area on a number of occasions recently which suggest there's probably a good population.

October 2nd
We arrived at Reculver Towers at 0630 for a seawatch and were joined by Derek Smith and Dave Smith. During three and a half hours there was a steady trickle of birds mainly flying W. We counted 1 Manx Shearwater that later flew back E, 2 summer plumaged Red-throated Divers, 17 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 17 Cormorants, 208 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Gannets, 14 Sandwich Terns E, 65 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Sooty Shearwater (180th) and 1 large auk.
Later Matt found a Ring Ouzel inland from Reculver.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

October 1st
After heavy overnight rain, this morning was bright and calm but with the threat of more rain later. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 46 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 11 Chiffchaffs, 67 Linnets, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 66 Wigeon S, 41 Reed Buntings, 2 Whinchats, 2 Grey Herons, 102 Mallard, 9 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 19 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egrets, 15 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Swallows W, 38 House Sparrows at Coldharbour and 8 Skylarks.
Derek Smith was also out this morning walking from Shuart and along the railway embankment. He saw 7 Cetti's Warblers, 80+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Green Sandpipers, 56 Wigeon S, 3 Reed Warblers and 22 Blackcaps.