April 15th
We arrived at Chamber's Wall after the overnight showers had past through and did our usual walk up to the Oyster Farm in cloudy conditions with a chilly westerly breeze blowing. We counted 12 Goldfinches, 3 Whitethroats, 21 Linnets, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Shelduck, 20 Mallard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Swallows W, 1 House Martin W, 1 Sand Martin W, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Redshank, 67 Carrion Crows, 15 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Egrets, 3 male Wheatears, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Turnstone, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Shoveler and 2 Blackcaps.

Ringed Plover

Dave Smith was also out today and his highlights were 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a steady trickle of Swallows with the odd Sand Martin and 1 House Martin, He also had good numbers of Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats.

April 14th
Derek Smith was out from 0600 to 1130 and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back along the seawall and on to Netherhale. His undoubted highlight was to pick up an Alpine Swift (146th) flying west over the railway embankment until lost to sight towards Reculver. It is highly likely that this was the same bird that Barry Matlock reported over Margate Station earlier this morning. This is the sixth record for the Reculver Marshes area but the first since 2nd May 1993.

Alpine Swift - Derek Smith

In addition Derek had added Reed Warbler (144th) and Cuckoo (145th) to the year list as well as seeing 2 Ravens , 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Sandpiper E, 2 Grey Partridges, 26 Stock Dove E, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 63 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Wheatear, 8 Swallows W, 5 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 41 singing Sedge Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 7 Cetti's Warblers and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier.
We covered the other half of the Marsh from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm but did not see such good birds and missed the swift by a couple of minutes. Birds we saw included 9 Whitethroats, 39 Linnets W, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shoveler, 11 Mallard, 10 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Shelduck, 29 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Dunlin and 29 singing Sedge Warblers.
A short stroll at Reculver this afternoon produced 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Mute Swans, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 "purring" Turtle Dove (147th).

April 13th
Although still sunny there had been an overnight increase in the chilly westerly breeze as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 5 Chiffchaffs, 8 Whitethroats, 11 Mallard, 1 Blackcap, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 36 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 5 Willow Warblers, 4 Lapwings, 26 Carrion Crows, 4 Redshank, 5 Mute Swans, 16 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Swallows W, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Egrets, 3 Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Turnstone, 2 Wheatears, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Sedge Warblers, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Common Buzzard.

Male Common Whitethroat

April 12th
With a chilly westerly breeze blowing, the first half of our walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm was in sunshine but it clouded over later. It was a "wagtail" morning with 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails and 6 unidentified alba Wagtails flying W as well as 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 male Channel Wagtail (Blue-headed x Yellow hybrid).
Other birds seen included 3 newly arrived Whitethroats, 34 Linnets W, 16 Goldfinches W, 16 Sedge Warblers, 5 Willow Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 6 Meadow Pipits W, 62 Carrion Ctows, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Swallows W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Redshank,  Little Egrets, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Shelduck, 9 Sand Martins W, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Turnstone, 6 Corn Buntings and 23 Yellowhammers.

Male White Wagtail

Marc Heath spent a couple of hours at Reculver from 1000 where he walked down to Coldharbour and back in cloudy conditions. There was not much to report but he did see 18 Swallows W, 2 Pied Wagtails, 5 Meadow Pipits, 24 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Shelduck, 3 Reed Buntings, 6 Mallard, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Skylarks, 8 Sand Martins W, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 male Wheatear at Coldharbour, 1 House Martin W, 2 Redshank, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Grey Heron.

Male Wheatear



April 11th
In continuing sunny weather we walked from Chamber's Wall to the White Poplars, Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons and recorded 4 Blackcaps, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Linnets W, 12 Sedge Warblers, 22 Goldfinches, 7 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 14 Mallard, 1 Grey Partridge, 6 Lapwings, 64 Carrion Crows, 6 Redshank, 6 Mute Swans, 8 Ringed Plovers, 27 Oystercatchers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 male Wheatears, 4 Swallows W, 6 Shelduck, 27 Turnstone, 30 Meadow Pipits W, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Dunlin, 1 Shoveler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Corn Buntings and 2 Sand Martins.

Male Wheatear

April 10th
There had been a change in the weather overnight with the warm air blown away and a chilly NW breeze in its place. We completed our usual walk from Chamber's Wall to the White Poplars and then on to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm. We counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 6 Linnets, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Sedge Warblers, 62 Carrion Crows, 13 Redshank, 16 Mallard, 17 Shelduck, 29 Oystercatchers, 4 Grey Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Turnstone, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls E, 4 Swallows W, 1 Sanderling, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Dunlin, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Goldfinches and 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing.

Displaying Shelduck

We met Marc Heath on the seawall where his highlights had been 1 Whimbrel (143rd) landing in the Oyster Farm, 4 Grey Partridges and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls.

April 9th
The fantastic spring weather continues. We arrived at Chamber's Wall and walked along the railway embankment and then on to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw a good range of species including 3 Blackcaps, 18 Linnets, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 13 migrant Song Thrushes, 9 Sedge Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 71 Carrion Crows, 3 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 14 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 34 Oystercatchers, 1 Avocet W and then back E, 8 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Great Northern Diver feeding offshore, 1 male Wheatear, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Ringed Plover in one of the lagoons and then flying W calling, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (140th) our equal earliest with 1988 and 2014, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Yellowhammer.

Avocet

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0700 and 1100 walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and back along the seawall. He saw 1 Fulmar W, 4 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 48 Sanderling, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Swallow, 1 male Wheatear, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat (141st), 4 Blackcaps, 18 Sedge Warblers and 7 Cetti's Warblers.
Also this morning Chris Sear saw a male Ring Ouzel (142nd) at Plumpudding as well as 3 Cetti's Warblers.
This afternoon over our garden at Bishopstone we had 10 Swallows and 20 Sand Martins flying over and later an adult Mediterranean Gull calling loudly.

April 8th
On yet another glorious spring morning we parked at Chamber's Wall and walked to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We recorded 5 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Sedge Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shoveler, 3 Blackcaps, 13 Linnets, 1 Lesser Redpoll W (139th) surprisingly the first record of the year, 14 Mallard, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Lapwing, 19 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 42 Carrion Crows, 17 Oystercatchers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Fulmar, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 51 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Peregrine.

Purple Sandpiper

 

April 7th
Once again Matt met us at Chamber's Wall after walking out to the sea from Shuart and seeing 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Sedge Warblers, 35 Linnets, 5 Shelduck, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron and 16 Turnstone.
Our walk from Chambers Wall to Coldharbour via the Green Wall produced 11 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 40 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 4 Grey Partridges, 6 Sedge Warblers, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Greylag Geese, 3 Sand Martins W, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W, 5 Shelduck, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Swallows W, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Turnstone, 28 Redshank, 1 Gannet, 2 Ringed Plovers, 20 Mallard, 2 Wheatears, 1 Great Northern Diver (138th) feeding on a crab off the Wantsum outflow, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Meadow Pipits W, 19 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 48 Carrion Crows and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Male Yellow Wagtail

April 6th
Matt arrived at Shuart early and recorded 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Jays, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flying S, 1 Brambling, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Snipe.
He then met us at Chamber's Wall and we walked out to the Green Wall before returning via Coldharbour and then visiting Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 10 Goldfinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Mallard, 18 Linnets, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Marsh Harriers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Shelduck, 11 Sedge Warblers, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Fulmar W, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Sand Martins W, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 22 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Red Kites W, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 Swallow W, 61 Carrion Crows, 1 Pied Wagtail, 15 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Common Buzzards.
Marc Heath also had at least 2 more Red Kites flying W as well as 1 House Martin (137th).

Sedge Warbler

April 5th
At Reculver and Shuart this morning there were 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Swallows, 2 Jays, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Long-tailed Tits.
Today Terry Wilson walked from Plumpudding to Coldharbour along railway embankment and recorded 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker and 4 Chiffchaffs. Along seawall on the way back he counted 2 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 12 Sanderlings and 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
This afternoon a walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour produced 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldfinches, 2 Ravens flying W, 4 Linnets, 16 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 10 Oystercatchers, 42 Carrion Crows an the mussel beds, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 singing Yellowhammer.
As we arrived home a Red Kite flew W along the coast at Bishopstone. Later Marc Heath saw 2 Red Kites flying W near the Roman Galley.

April 4th
It was overcast and drizzly this morning when we met up with Matt at Chamber's Wall after he had walked there from Shuart. We all then walked up to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm before returning along the railway embankment. Birds we saw included 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Merlin W, 6 Blackcaps, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 97 Meadow Pipits W, 3 alba Wagtails, 70 Sanderling, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers, 2 Swallows W, 1 Sandwich Tern W (136th), 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Mute Swans, 13 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 3 Little Egrets, 18 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 39 Oystercatchers, 6 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Linnets and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Purple Sandpiper

Later at Reculver we recorded 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Mallard, 2 Grey Partridges and 1 Kestrel.

April 3rd
The morning began foggy but soon turned into a beautiful early spring day. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along to the Oyster Farm and saw 2 Willow Warblers, 18 Linnets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Mute Swans, 26 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Redshank, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Snipe, 18 Oystercatchers, 18 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull (135th), 4 Little Egrets, 1 singing male Stonechat, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 1 Swallow W, 2 Dunlin, 8 Corn Buntings, 3 Goldfinches and 12 Chaffinches.

First winter Yellow-legged Gull

Later at Reculver we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Coot, 11 Mallard and 1 Willow Warbler.

April 2nd
On a bright and sunny morning with a light NW breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Goldfinches, 5 Chiffchaffs, 6 Linnets, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Swallows W (133rd), 18 Mallard, 2 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 18 Oystercatchers, 19 Carrion Crows, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshank, 26 Turnstone, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Blackcap and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Singing Chiffchaff

On our way home we dropped in at Reculver where we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Tufted Duck, 11 Mallard and 1 Grey Heron.
Marc Heath was out at 0630 and recorded 2 Blackcaps, 11 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Stonechat, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Yellow Wagtail W (134th), 1 Brambling, 5 Sedge Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Little Owl.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back recording 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Little Egrets, 26 Sanderling, 17 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Sedge Warblers and 6 Cetti's Warblers.
Dave Smith covered most of the Marsh and his highlights were 8 Common Scoter E, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swallow and 2 Short-eared Owls.

April 1st
The month began as I was eating breakfast when a female Brambling made a fleeting visit to our bird feeders.

A through the window photo of the female Brambling

After this we drove to Chamber's Wall and walked along the railway embankment and then out to Coldharbour. We recorded 9 Goldfinches, 16 Mallard, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Blackcap, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Redshank, 20 Carrion Crows, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 12 Chaffinches.
We then walked inland from Reculver and saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Siskin, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Kestrel and 1 Goldcrest.
Derek Smith was also birding this morning and between 0630 and 0930 walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. He counted 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, 12 Sanderling, 14 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 11 Sedge Warblers and 6 Cetti's Warblers.
Julian and Alex Perry found the Avocet and the wintering Common Sandpiper in the Oyster Farm lagoons.