October 15th 
With light showers and drizzle being blown over by a light SW wind we had an excellent morning walking from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 16 Song Thrushes, 37 Chiffchaffs, 158 Chaffinches W, 1 Merlin, 13 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Goldcrests, 8 Blue Tits, 10 Great Tits, 22 Goldfinches, 77 Mallard, 1 Ring Ouzel and 9 Bearded Tits calling and flying high W (184th).
From Coldharbour the species we saw included 6 Swallows, 5 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Golden Plovers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 11 Skylarks, 2 Wheatears, 34 Meadow Pipits on the beach, 2 Redshank, 7 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Black Redstart catching flies on the seawall, 8 Corn Buntings, 100 House Sparrow, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 4 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Ravens flying S, 3 Siskin W and 8 Dunnocks.

Black Redstart

Between 1230 and 1500 Derek Smith walked around Shuart and the railway embankment and recorded 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 1 Ring Ouzel, 400 Starlings W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 230 Chaffinches W, 2 Bearded Tits, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 80 Chiffchaffs and 22 Goldcrests.

Bearded Tit - Derek Smith

October 14th
We managed an hour's ringing at Reculver this morning before the rain arrived and we had to pack up. Birds we saw included 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Jays, 4 Siskins, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Blackcaps, 2 Redwing, 10 Song Thrushes, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Brambling, 9 Robins and 1 Coal Tit.

Birds ringed 18: Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 8, Robin 3, Blue Tit 1, Song Thrush 3.
 
After we had finished ringing Matt had a walk in the pouring rain at Reculver on the cliffes and around the bushes. He recorded 2 Corn Buntings, 8 Blackcaps, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Water Pipit (183rd), 3 Goldcrests, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat, 5 Stonechats, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Wheatear, 14 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Rock Pipit, 30 Chaffinches and 1 Siskin.
Derek Smith spent the day walking from Shuart and along the embankment and then back to Plumpudding Netherhale and Brooksend. Between 0730 and 1700 he counted 3 Gannets E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 184 Sanderling at Plumpudding, 1 Jay W, 25 Song Thrushes, 20 Redwing, 2 Ring Ouzels, 3 Stonechats, 280 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Blackcaps, 160 Chiffchaffs, 65 Goldcrests and 5 Corn Buntings.

October 13th
For a change it wasn't raining this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. We recorded 2 Kestrels, 1 Green Woodpecker, 27 Skylarks, 4 Goldcrests, 8 Redwings, 115 Lapwings, 4 Chiffchaffs, 25 Goldfinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 243 Chaffinches W, 142 Mallard, 4 Stonechats, 11 Siskins W, 15 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Teal, 36 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 100 House Sparrows, 18 Corn Buntings, 1 Jay and 1 Golden Plover.
Anthea Skiffington and Bob Dewire walked from Shuart to Plumpudding between 1000 and 1115 and counted 1,144 Chaffinches moving W and also 9 Redwing and 3 Fieldfares.

October 12th
On a dull and drizzly morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour where we me Matt who had walked in from Shuart. Birds we saw between us included 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 1 Kestrel, 22 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 30 Meadow Pipits, 20 Robins, 42 Carrion Crows, 14 Linnets, 14 Corn Buntings, 4 Mallard, 90 Golden Plovers, 80 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 13 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 4 Song Thrushes, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 17 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and 1 House Martin.
Marc Heath was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour an hour before us. He recorded 5 Goldcrests, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Owl, 13 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Cormorants, 3 Oystercatchers, 7 Reed Buntings, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 120 Mallard, 1 Blackcap, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Wheatear, 1 Skylark, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Mistle Thrush.
Derek Smith and Patrick Giles spent nearly 12 hours out in the rain and covered the whole of the eastern section of the Marsh from Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour to Brooksend and Netherhale and south to Potten Street. They counted 4 Common Buzzards, 5 Sparrowhawks, 85 Lapwings, 4 Grey Plovers, 60 Sanderling, 30 Redwings W, 35 Song Thrushes, 55 Blackbirds, 23 Skylarks W, 10 alba Wagtails W, 25 Meadow Pipits W, 50 House Sparrows, 4 Siskins W, 118 Chaffinches W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 84 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Netherhale and 56 Goldcrests.

October 11th
It was overcast and drizzly with a fresh to strong SSW wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. We saw 3 Wheatears, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Golden Plovers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 6 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 3 Goldcrests, 8 Goldfinches, 25 Mallard, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Little Egret, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 14 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Merlin, 70 Lapwings and 1 Red-legged Partridge.

Wheatear

October 10th
On a cooler but sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and found it quieter than yesterday. We managed to see 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Kestrels, 14 Cormorants, 51 Goldfinches, 4 Little Egrets, 12 Linnets, 31 Meadow Pipits, 8 Redshank, 64 House Martins W, 7 Turnstone, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Coot, 14 Ringed Plovers, 4 Swallows W, 7 Skylarks, 2 Stonechtas, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Rock Pipits and 1 Curlew.
At Plumpudding lagoon at high tide Terry Wilson counted 40 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 20 Turnstone, 4 Curlew, 2 Kestrels and 1 Peregrine.

October 9th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. Birds we saw included 16 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 17 Swallows moving W, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 72 Goldfinches, 4 Coot, 47 Cormorants, 58 Lapwings, 61 Linnets, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 36 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 10 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 42 Carrion Crows, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker and 3 Common Buzzards.
This afternoon Mark Chidwick had a Snow Bunting fly in off the sea at Plumpudding before it flew west along the beach.

October 8th
On a cloudy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and counted 12 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Pied Wagtails, 60 Goldfinches, 51 Meadow Pipits, 27 Mallard, 6 Rock Pipits, 1 Redshank, 44 Carrion Crows, 1 Greenshank, 3 Corn Buntings, 21 Skylarks, 21 Oystercatchers, 32 Cormorants, 45 Linnets, 3 Snipe SW, 4 Stonechats, 10 Ringed Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Turnstone, 1 Golden Plover, 22 House Martins W, 1 Wheatear and 1 Purple Sandpiper (182nd) on the rocks at Reculver.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall up to the White Poplars and recorded 22 House Martins W, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swallows W, 4 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel and 1 Wigeon.

October 7th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm. We saw 10 Chiffchaffs, 31 Skylarks, 7 Robins, 9 Goldcrests, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 31 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat feeding on blackberries, 4 Coot, 18 Chaffinches and 1 Kestrel. We also recorded 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Stonechats, 1 Redshank, 44 Mallard, 148 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 6 Swallows W, 14 Turnstone, 20 Cormorants, 18 Meadow Pipits, 1 House Martin W, 1 Wheatear, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 18 Linnets, 1 alba Wagtail W, 6 Redwings, 12 Blue Tits and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We also met Dave Smith and had a chat after which he walked along the railway embankment and found a Yellow-browed Warbler near the Shuart crossing. Other birds he saw during the morning and early afternoon included 1 Brambling, 1 Hobby, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, 6+ Blackcaps, 16+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Wheatears, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Redwings, 3 Swallows and 15+ House Martins. He also saw several Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters.
This afternoon Glynn Crocker refound the Yellow-browed Warbler at Shuart crossing and managed to get a photograph.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Glynn Crocker

October 6th
Matt spent over an hour in the rain this morning at Reculver seawatching from the Towers and walking around the area. He recorded 22 Wigeon W, 11 Teal W, 9 Shelduck W, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Curlews, 46 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Rock Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Red- breasted Merganser W, 1 Gadwall W, 1 Blackbird flying in off the sea in the pouring rain, 2 Pochard W and 1 Heron. 

"Continental" Song Thrush feeding in my garden at Bishopstone

This afternoon we had an 80 minute seawatch from the Towers where we were joined by Chris Gibbard. There wasn't a great deal to be seen but we did count 129 Brent Geese W, 4 Teal, 2 Gannets, 5 Pintail W, 16 Wigeon W, 15 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Mediterranean Gull W. Chris also had a juvenile Arctic Tern W after we had left.

October 5th
This morning we had a very good ringing session at Reculver and also saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings, 1 Snipe, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 50 Goldcrests, 3 Sparrowhawks, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Firecrest, 12 Blackcaps, 20 Chiffchaffs, 1 Golden Plover , 2 Wigeon, 1 Greenshank, 2 Grey Wagtails, 5 Jays, 2 Siskins, 8 alba Wagtails W, 14 Goldfinches, 3 Grey Herons, 6 House Martins, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 2 Swallows, 12 Skylarks, 1 Lapwing, 2 Mistle Thrush and 1 Coal Tit.

Birds ringed 72: Goldcrest 33, Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 14, Wren 1, Robin 2, Blackcap 8, Blue Tit 6, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 4, Sparrowhawk 1.

Firecrest

Juvenile male Sparrowhawk

This afternoon Matt had a walk at Brooksend, Minnis Bay and Shuart and recorded 17 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jack Snipe flushed from the edge of the path at Minnis Bay, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sandwich Terns and 6 Redwings.

October 4th
On an overcast and breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (181st) calling in the trees near the cafe, 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Rock Pipits, 81 Meadow Pipits, 6 Swallows, 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatchers, 54 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 9 Blue Tits and 10 Great Tits flying W along the seawall, 52 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 4 Stonechats, 22 Carrion Crows, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Skylarks, 1 Whinchat, 34 Mallard, 17 House Martins W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Shelduck W and 2 Sandwich Terns W.

Meadow Pipit

For two hours either side of midday there was a large movement of mainly House Martins with lesser numbers of Swallows. The same thing was happening at Grenham and Minnis Bay where Terry Wilson saw the same thing. At Bishopstone at midday I counted about 100 House Martins flying W per minute with also about 10 Swallows per minute. Lesser numbers continued moving all afternoon.
This afternoon I had a call from Matt to say he had caught a Marsh Tit in his garden near Tilmanstone and would I like to come and see it. I have not seen Marsh Tit in the hand for about forty years so as we weren't far away we drove over to see it. A really smart little bird. He also had a Yellow-browed Warbler calling in his garden earlier.

Marsh Tit

October 3rd
We spent an enjoyable morning ringing at Shuart and saw 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 30 Chiffchaffs, 24 Lapwings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 18 Goldfinches, 1 Little Owl, 6 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 15 Blackcaps, 18 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Goldcrests, 2 Kestrels, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Merlin, 36 Skylarks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 12 Greenfinches, 1 Woodlark flying SW (180th), 1 Snipe, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Wheatear, 7 Mallard, 1 Siskin W, 30 Linnets and 1 House Martin.

 Birds ringed 72: Chiffchaff 17, Goldcrest 6, Long-tailed Tit 9, Wren 3, Chaffinch 1, Blackcap 9, Reed Bunting 15, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 4, Greenfinch 2, Blackbird 2.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and returned along the seawall and Green Wall. We saw a good vaiety of species including 2 Grey Wagtails, 18 Chiffchaffs, 500+ Swallows W, 1,000+ House Martins W, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Merlin, 12 Little Egrets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Grey Partridges, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Stonechats, 74 Mallard, 1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Linnets, 11 Rock Pipits, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Teal, 33 Ringed Plovers, 1 Wheatear, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 2 Ravens in with the sheep, 1 Kingfisher, 55 Meadow Pipits and 1 Lapland Bunting.

October 2nd
We spent two hours from first light having a seawatch at the Towers where low tide was 0938. Most of the birds we saw were flying west and we recorded 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Arctic Tern, 10 Wigeon, 1 Common Tern, 5 Gannets, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 14 Sandwich Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Little Gull (178th) and 2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls (179th), 2 large auks E, 1 Great Skua and 10 Shelduck.
Derek Smith birded in the wind at Shuart and the railway embankment but did not see many birds, however he did find a Long-tailed Blue butterfly. The first one to be seen in the area since the small influx in 2013.

Long-tailed Blue - Derek Smith

October 1st
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and railway embankment. We saw 24 Chiffchaffs, 3 Swallows W, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Mute Swans, 11 Skylarks, 6 Coot, 1 Little Egret, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Mallard, 38 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Oystercatchers, 38 Meadow Pipits, 1 Lapland Bunting (177th) calling and flying S over the sheep fields, 2 Sandwich Terns, 19 Cormorants, 55 House Sparrows, 2 Little Grebes, 36 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Hobby flying W.
Derek Smith was out between 0800 and 1400 and again covered most of the eastern half of the Marsh visting Shuart, the railway embankment, Chamber's Wall and Netherhale and Brooksend. He recorded 1 Eider, 16 Little Egrets W, 1 Hobby W, 1 Arctic Skua, 26 Sandwich Terns, 8 Common Terns, 24 Turnstone, 22 Ringed Plovers, 68 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 85 Oystercatchers, 20 Redshank, 35 Skylarks W, 1,800 Swallows W, 1,200 House Martins W, 25 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 12 alba Wagtails W, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Blackcaps, 43 Chiffchaffs, 30 Goldcrests and 36 Corn Buntings.