September 15th

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart and saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Reed Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Raven, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Swallows, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 1 Firecrest, 7 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Yellow Wagtails. 

 Birds ringed 13: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 2, Reed Warbler 5, Chaffinch 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Blackbird 1.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 3 Kestrels, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Mallard, 11 Redshank, 1 juvenile Knot, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Guillemot, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Sandwich Terns W, 1 Turnstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 juvenile Gannet E and 3 Wigeon.

September 14th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver until rain stopped play at 0930. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Jays, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 16 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Siskin W, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 House Martins and 1 Yellow Wagtail. We also saw 2 Clouded Yellows and 1 Painted Lady.

Birds ringed 21: Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Blackcap 13, Blackbird 1

First year male Blackcap

After ringing, Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Common Sandpiper beside the RiverWantsum, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Golden Plover, 9 Redshank, 1 Knot in Coldharbour, 84 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Wheatear, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying low E along the seawall, 2 Kestrels, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swallow, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Chiffchaff.

September 13th

Our first Brambling of the autumn flew W at Bishopstone this morning.

September 12th

This morning our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldhrbour produced 2 Blackcaps, 19 Linnets, 43 Goldfinches, 5 Robins, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Golden Plovers, 1 immature Peregrine, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Reed Buntings, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 25 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Swallow, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 1030 and walked from Shuart, along the embankment and on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 1 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 1 Greenshank flying E, 12 Redshank, 3 Grey Wagtails flying W, 1 Wheatear, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs and 1 Corn Bunting.

September 11th

On a much cooler morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Golden Plovers, 6 Redshank, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Linnets, 60 House Sparrrows, 500 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Kestrels, 12 Goldfinches, 12 Mallard, 1 Lapwing and 2 Hobbies. 

Derek Smith was out between 0630 and 1130 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and on to Plumpudding and Netherhale. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwings, 145 Swallows, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.

September 10th

After four mornings ringing, this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 26 Swallows W, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Greenfinch, 44 Goldfinches, 10 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Mallard, 7 Little Egrets, 86 Golden Plover, 14 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 juvenile Knot in Coldharbour, 800 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Robins, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Juvenile Knot

September 9th

We spent a much quieter morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Kestrels, 1 Tree Pipit W, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 20 Goldfinches, 5 Mallard, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Greenfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Peregrine and 1 Snipe.

 Birds ringed 29: Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 14, Wren 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 1, Blue Tit 1, Goldfinch 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 2, Greenfinch 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2.

This afternoon we had a walk at Reculver and recorded 2 Little Egrets, 3 Common Sandpipers and 1 Green Sandpiper. We also counted 12 Clouded Yellows.

Clouded Yellow

September 8th

This morning we spent ringing at Reculver and saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 16 Blackcaps, 1 Tree Pipit flying W, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Firecrest, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 House Martin, 2 Jays, 2 Peregrines, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Reed Warblers. We also saw 3 Clouded Yellows including 1 pale female of the helice morph. 

 Birds ringed 18: Blackcap 12, Reed Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

After ringing Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 20 Golden Plover, 14 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 82 Sandwich Terns, 7 Common Terns E, 8 Gannets E, 1 juvenile Arctic Skua chasing terns, 14 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 1 Black Tern E (183rd), 1 Wheatear and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.

September 7th

We spent another warm morning ringing this time at Shuart where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great White Egrets flying steadily W, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Grey Wagtails, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Robins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Mallard, 1 Golden Plover, 18 Goldfinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Whinchat and 2 Kestrels. We also saw one Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Birds ringed 44: Wren 5, Whitethroat 7, Reed Warbler 8, Sedge Warbler 2, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Blackcap 2, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 3, Goldfinch 5, Great Tit 1, Whinchat 1, Greenfinch 1, Blackbird 2.

First year male Whinchat

Grasshopper Warbler

September 6th

We spent an increasingly warm morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. Birds we saw included 4 Common Buzzards, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Reed Warblers, 6 Whinchats, 12 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 23 Golden Plover, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Swallows and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Birds ringed 29: Willow Warbler 1, Wren 1, Reed Warbler 6, Reed Bunting 7, Whitethroat 2, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 3, Sedge Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 4, Blackbird 1.

Whitethroat

After we had finished ringing Matt walked from Bishopstone to Coldharbour and back and recorded 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 3 Hobbies, 2 Whinchats, 3 Grey Partridges, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Wheatear, 4 Arctic Skuas, 140 Sandwich Terns, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 16 Common Terns, 1 Greenshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Terns, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret and 1 Sparrowhawk. He also found 3 Clouded Yellows and 1 male Brown Argus.

September 5th

On a warmer morning at last there were one or two migrants to see as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we counted included 8 Swallows, 46 Linnets, 30 Goldfinches, 1 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Redshank, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Greenshank flying W, 6 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Oystercatchers, 10 Reed Buntings, 6 Common Sandpipers in Coldharbour, 40 Common Scoter flying E, 4 Turnstone, 1 Wheatear, 14 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers.

September 4th

It was cool and breezy this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then dropped in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 3 Goldfinches, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Mallard, 14 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 51 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Greenshank, 1 Little Stint, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Turnstone, 11 Wigeon flying in off the sea, 1 moulting Rock Pipit feeding on insects on the seaweed at the Wantsum outflow, 4 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Curlew, 14 Linnets, 1 Corn Bunting, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Peregrine.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0730 and 1100 he walked from Shuart along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and back by way of Plumpudding. He counted 3 Teal E, 4 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 31 Golden Plover S, 1 Black-tailed Godwit N, a flock of 32 Dunlin E, 74 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat at Plumpudding, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 3 Corn Buntings.

September 3rd

On a milder morning with the hint of some sunshine we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Wantsum outflow. We recorded 11 Swallows, 1 Green Woodpecker, 31 Linnets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Redshank, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Corn Buntings, 21 Sandwich Terns, 2 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Snipe and 1 Pied Flycatcher at Chamber's Wall.

Curlew

September 2nd

On an overcast and showery morning but with a lighter wind than the last week we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Little Egrets, 4 newly arrived Wheatears on the grass at the Towers, 15 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 140 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 49 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Dunlin and 1 Pied Wagtail.

First year Ringed Plovers

Wheatear

At about midday a Spotted Flycatcher spent a couple of minutes flycatching in our garden at Bishopstone.

This afternoon I received the ringing information of an adult male Reed Warbler we controlled at Shuart Farm on August 19th. It had initially been ringed as a first year bird at La Maziere, Villeton, Lot-et-Garonne, France on 3rd September 2019. Villeton is 783 km S of Shuart.

September 1st

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 1 Little Stint (182nd), 4 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Common Buzzards, 10 Black-tailed Godwits flying N, 2 Wheatears, 1 Mallard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Little Egret.

Birds ringed 10: Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Warbler 3, Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 1, Blackbird 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.