April 15th
Although it was a little bit warmer and the sun was shining this morning there was still a chilly, blustery SE wind blowing. We began by walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back around the Green Wall and recorded 5 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coot, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Mallard, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Stonechat, 7 Skylarks and 1 Swallow.
On the way home, at Reculver, we saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Jay, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Mute Swans and 2 Gadwall.

Ringed Plover

April 14th
We began the morning by walking from Shuart to the sea and saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Greylag Geese W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20 House Sparrows, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Swallow.
Later at Reculver we counted 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Stock Doves, 3 Mallard, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swallow and 1 Sparrowhawk. It's still very slow!
Marc Heath was also out this morning and between 0600 and 0900 and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall. He recorded 3 Chiffchaffs, 8 Turnsone, 3 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 8 Reed Buntings, 4 Sedge Warblers, 27 Corn Buntings, 10 Cormorants, 4 Common Scoter E, 3 Marsh Harriers, 5 Skylarks, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Swallows, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 14 Common Gulls flying E.
In addition Julian Perry found a Common Whitethroat (139th) in a bush by the Green Wall this morning.

April 13th
The morning began sunny but there was still the cold, nagging north easterly wind blowing. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before visting Reculver just as a heavy shower was being blown in off the sea. There still wasn't much sign of migration but we did count 2 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Coot, 8 Chaffinches, 6 Sedge Warblers, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 28 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges on the embankment by the White Poplars, 16 Linnets, 2 Jays, 9 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Blackcap and unfortunately another mink.

April 12th
With the chilly easterly wind still blowing it was very quiet in the area this morning. We walked from Shaurt to the sea at Plumpudding and counted 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 36 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Lapwings and 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Later at Reculver we saw 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 3 Mallard.

Male and female Gadwall

Marc Heath was also out this morning and between 0900 and 1200 walked from Reculver to Coldhabour and back. He recorded 3 Common Scoter E, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 10 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 25 Corn Buntings, 2 Shelduck, 2 Turstones, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest in bushes at Coldharbour, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Skylarks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Reed Buntings.

Firecrest - Marc Heath

April 11th
On yet another chilly morning with a fresh easterly wind blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back around the Green Wall before visiting Reculver. Birds we saw included 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 18 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Jays, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows.

April 10th
Although it was sunny this morning there was a strong, chilly NE wind blowing as we arrived at Reculver making viewing conditions unpleasant. We saw 1 Swallow, 9 Gannets E, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Blackcap.
Later at Chamber's Wall and the White Poplars we counted 6 Goldfinches, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 1 Coot, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 8 Chaffinches.
During the morning we met one of the local farmers and they told us that they had  a Tawny Owl (138th) calling at Reculver on the nights of April 6th and 7th.
Marc Heath was also out and between 0600 and 1000 walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall. Birds he saw included 29 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 7 Gannets E, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Swallow, 1 juvenile Kittiwake E, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers E, 1 Eider, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sanderling, 1 Peregrine, 2 Reed Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Willow Warbers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 4 Sand Martins and 6 Fulmars E.

April 9th
This morning was overcast, misty and wet so we had a walk inland at Reculver and then another walk at Chamber's Wall. At Reculver we recorded 2 Blackcaps, 1 Mistle Thrush, 11 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Pied Wagtail.
At Chamber's Wall and the railway embankment we counted 1 Fieldfare, 13 Redwings, 14 Song Thrushes, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mallard, 8 Chaffinches and 1 Willow Warbler (134th) singing near the car park.
Julian Perry was also out in the drizzle this morning and found a pair of Garganey (135th) on Wade Marshes between Shuart and the railway embankment.
This afternoon during a run from Reculver to Coldharbour Marc Heath recorded a Spotted Redshank (136th) flying around Coldharbour and calling and 1 Common Tern (137th) flying along the tideline.

April 8th
On another grey day with the tide out we walked at Reculver and up to Coldharbour. We counted 2 Great Crested Grebes, 15 Oystercatchers, 8 Cormorants, 12 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 2 Turnstone, 15 Mallard, 1 Snipe, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallows, 6 Mediterranean Gulls over our heads calling in the gloom, 4 Mute Swans, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull W, 3 Grey Partridges, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Tufted Duck and 1 Blackcap.
Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment between 1100 and 1500. He recorded 45 Sand Martins, 6 House Martins, 23 Swallows, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Shelduck, 66 Corn Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 32 Redshank, 7 Skylarks, 58 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 6 Reed Buntings, 5 Curlew, 1 Eider, 2 Egyptian Geese W at the Stables (133rd), 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harriers and the Black Redstart at the Towers.

Egyptian Geese - Marc Heath

April 7th
Marc Heath was out on a chilly, overcast and drizzly morning Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Coldhrbour and back along the embankment and recorded 1 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaffs, 15 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 4 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Mallard, 4 Skylarks, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (132nd), 1 Curlew and 1 Stonechat.
This morning a male Siskin fed briefly on the niger seeds in our garden.

Male Siskin in the rain

On a dry but gloomy afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 6 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Scoter E, 1 Fulmar W, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 4 Grey Plovers, 7 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Swallow W.

April 6th
It was a dreary and chilly morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow and then visited Reculver. We did not see a great deal just 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Coot, 8 Skylarks, 4 Linnets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swans and 1 Blackcap.
Between 1030 and 1215 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and saw 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Yellow Wagtail (131st), 4 Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaffs.

Woodpigeon preening

April 5th
It was bright and breezy this morning as we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 40 Sand Martins, 1 immature Black Redstart singing, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Shelduck, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, including a rubicola male, 11 Mallard, 1 alba Wagtail W, 22 Corn Buntings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Coot, 1 Little Egret, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 immature male Eider. We also counted 2 Turnstone, 2 Swallows, 18 Linnets, 2 Bullfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 male Common Redstart (130th) that refused to be photographed, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard.

Immature male Black Redstart

Male rubicola Stonechat

We also found 2 Black Oil Beetles on the path at the back of the Oyster Farm..

Black Oil Beetle

This morning Marc Heath had 2 Yellowhammers at Reculver.
This afternoon we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and recorded 1 Blackcap, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Mediterranean Gulls flying E, 2 adults and 1 first winter, 55 Oystercatchers, 80 Sanderling, 5 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 2 Lapwings and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

April 4th
Matt was out early and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then on to Chamber's Wall. He recorded 2 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes,  1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 male Wheatear, 1 Swallow W, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 immature male Eider and 1 Snipe.
Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 7 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings, 8 Redshank, the immature male Eider, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Sedge Warbler

April 3rd
It was dull and damp this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw a reasonable range of species including 1 House Martin W (129th), 5 Mediterranean Gulls E, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Curlew, 1 singing immature male Black Redstart, 13 Linnets, 7 Mute Swans, 18 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Shelduck, 1 immature male Eider, 11 Cormorants, 6 Swallows W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 3 singing Sedge Warblers, 10 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear, 15 Corn Buntings, 2 Stonechats, including a smart "rubicola" male and 1 Kingfisher.
On his way home Matt dropped in at Shuart where he recorded 12 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings and 1 Redwing W.
Whilst working at Plumpudding lagoon this morning Terry Wilson saw 1 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Wheatears, 3 Reed Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Mute Swans and 6 Redshank.

April 2nd
This morning Matt walked from Reculver and we met him at Chamber's Wall before walking on to Plumpudding and back to Reculver. The morning began sunny but soon deteriorated as cloud rolled in and a chilly SW breeze got up. Between us we recorded 47 Sand Martins, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shelduck, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Swallows, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Eider, 2 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sedge Warbler (127th), 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 26 Meadow Pipits, 22 Linnets W, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Coot, 5 Blackcaps, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls N, 1 alba Wagtail W, 1 Fieldfare W, 6 Song Thrushes, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 13 Mallard, 7 Goldfinches, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Gannet E, 23 Common Scoter, 2 Turnstone, 2 Kestrels and 1 Short eared Owl.
This afternoon we spent half an hour at the Towers before the rain arrived and counted 6 Sandwich Terns (128th) on the red buoy, 2 Swallows, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Shelduck.

April 1st
April dawned sunny but still with a chilly easterly wind as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and then inland at Reculver. It was pretty quiet but we did see 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 3 Coot, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Linnnets, 1 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Turnstone, 7 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Grey Plover