September 15th

We spent another morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 15 Chiffchaffs, 1 Golden Plover, 30 Teal, 130 Mallard, 11 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Coot, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Siskins, 6 Grey Wagtails, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 40 Blackcaps, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Swallows, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ravens, 12 Goldfinches, 3 Jays, 4 Common Buzzards, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Peregrine and 1 Willow Warbler.

Birds ringed 49: Chiffchaff 11, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 32, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1.

First year Chiffchaff

September 14th

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 29 Siskins flying W, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 10 Reed Warblers, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Swallow and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Birds ringed 26: Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 2, Reed Warbler 8, Blackcap 5, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 2.

Marc Heath had 25 Siskins flying W at Hillborough during the morning.

This evening I received the ringing information of two birds we have caught in the last few days. The first was a first year Grey Wagtail that we controlled on September 12th that had been ringed as a pullus in the nest at Busketts Lawn Inclosure, Hampshire on 29th May and had flown 199 km ENE to reach Reculver. The other bird was a first year Chiffchaff we controlled today at Reculver that had been ringed as a juvenile on July 2nd at Chew Valley Lake, Bath and N. E. Somerset. It had flown 269 km E to reach Reculver.

September 13th

Matt arrived at Reculver at 0600 and was joined by Dave Smith with Anne and me arriving later. We stayed there until 1100 and although relatively slow managed to count 15 Mediterranean Gulls W, 15 Arctic Skuas, 12W and 3E, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 136 Sandwich Terns, 34 Common Scoter, 37 Gannets, 3 Dunlin, 5 Teal, 1 Common Tern, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 2 large auks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Swallows, 1 Leach's Petrel slowly flying E halfway to the green buoy and then landing on the sea (181st) and 1 Common Sandpiper.

After the seawatch Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall and saw 1 Firecrest, 11 Chiffchaffs, 1 Hobby, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 23 Gannets W, 16 Sandwich Terns W, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Swallows, 8 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 2 Stonechats and 1 Siskin.

After lunch we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 110 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 11 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 32 Teal, 18 Coot and 1 Grey Heron.

September 12th

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where that been a good arrival of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Birds we saw included 30 Chiffchaffs, 4 Common Buzzards, 60 Blackcaps, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Grey Wagtails including one with someone else's ring, 4 Siskins, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Greylag Goose, 120 Mallard, 30 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 11 Wigeon, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Coot, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 80 Jackdaws, 100 Rooks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 94: Chiffchaff 26, Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 4, Blackcap 41, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 2, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 5, Sedge Warbler 2, Chaffinch 3, Reed Bunting 1, Garden Warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

First year Grey Wagtail

At 1244, Bob Gomes saw a Manx Shearwater fly E past Reculver (180th).

September 11th

At last a more reasonable temperature this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 2 Hobbies, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Little Egrets, 23 Mallard, 1 Knot, 3 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Wheatear, 27 Swallows W, 1 Common Gull, 36 Ringed Plovers, 36 Linnets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little Stint in Coldharbour, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Knot

Little Stint

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to the railway embankment and on to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 19 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Golden Plovers, 40 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 18 Turnstone, 7 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 1 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Bittern (179th), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 1 Jay, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Reed Warblers, 26 Swallows, 7 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Firecrest and 4 Yellow Wagtails.

September 10th

We were out early to avoid the high temperatures and had a wander around Reculver. We saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Robins, 105 Mallard, 14 Coot, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pochard, 5 Little Grebes, 6 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Swallows and 3 Sandwich Terns.

Robin on the rocks

September 9th

On another steamy morning we had an early wander around the Reculver area. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 11 Robins, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Egrets, 115 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 8 Chiffchaffs, 5 Tufted Duck, 32 Coot, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Shoveler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 160 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Male Migrant Hawker

Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment to the Green Wall and back to Plumpudding along the seawall. Birds he saw included 6 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby chasing a Ringed Plover,  3 Lapwings SW, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove W, 170 Swallows W, 12 Sand Martins, 18 Yellow Wagtails, 21 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge Warblers, 41 Reed Warblers, 4 Willow Warblers, 28 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps and 7 Corn Buntings.

September 8th

It was another very warm morning as we walked along the seawall towards Coldharbour. As we were about 200 metres from the Green Wall we found a first year Red-backed Shrike sitting on a bush beside the dyke (178th). It spent the time we were watching it flying across the dyke to catch insects and returning to the bush.

First year Red-backed Shrike

Other birds we saw included 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Sandwich Terns, 12 Little Egrets, 34 Mallard, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Hobby, 1 Stonechat, 1 Swallow, 28 Turnstone, 15 Ringed Plovers, 16 Goldfinches, 3 Sanderling, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Kestrels, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler.

This evening 500 Swallows were moving E over the sea and flying round the Towers.

I have just received information from Norman McCanch of a colour ringed Great Black-backed Gull that was seen at Reculver on September 4th. It had been ringed as a bird of at least five years old at Kneblingen, Ostre, Fiskeodden, Mandal, Vest-Agder, NORWAY on 29th May 2023 and had flown a distance of 843 km to reach Reculver. 

 September 7th

The overnight fog cleared at 0800 and the morning became progressively warmer as we had a ringing session on the Marsh south of the railway. Birds we saw included 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Dunlin flying over in the fog, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Ringed Plovers over, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whimbrel S, 1 Blackcap and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Birds ringed 26: Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 4, Whitethroat 3, Cetti's Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 3, Blue Tit 3, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 2.

First year Lesser Whitethroat

Dave Smith walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding this morning and counted, 35 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 1 Guillemot on the beach (177th), 20 Sandwich Terns, 4 Gannets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 13 Sedge Warblers, 19 Reed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Pied Wagtails and 2 Corn Buntings.

September 6th

This morning began foggy at Shuart but soon cleared to warm, hazy sunshine. Birds we saw included 5 Whitethroats, 11 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Jay, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 7 Greylag Geese, 1 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Kestrel and 2 Stonechats.

Birds ringed 32: Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 8, Blackcap 8, Whitethroat 5, Cetti's Warbler 1, Robin 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Whinchat 1, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 1.

Whinchat

Common Whitethroat

Dave Smith was out early this morning and walked on Reculver Marshes. He saw 7 Shoveler W, 8 Teal W, 3 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 5 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 17 Sandwich Terns, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Bearded Tits, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Stonechat, 4 Grey Wagtails E and 10 Yellow Wagtails.

This afternoon Matt birded inland at Reculver and saw 18 Ringed Plovers and 1 Turnstone flying NW, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Egret, 30 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 82 Mallard, 24 Coot, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Curlew, 37 Stock Doves, 1 Cetti's Warler, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

September 5th

We spent a sunny and warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Sandwich Terns flying S, 5 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Coot, 5 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 23 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 83 Mallard, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper. 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Curlews.

Birds ringed 35: Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 6, Wren 3, Reed Warbler 4, Blackcap 12, Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1.

September 4th

We spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway. Matt arrived before us and had put the mist nets up by the time we arrived and had already caught the bird of the morning a first year Barred Warbler (176th), a new species for our ringing group.

First year Barred Warbler

 Other birds we saw during an enjoyable morning included 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Tree Pipits flying W, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 20 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Willow Warbler, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 51: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 17, Sedge Warbler 5, Robin 3, Blue Tit 3, Spotted Flycatcher 2, Blackcap 6, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Great Tit 1, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 3, Barred Warbler 1, House Sparrow 1.

Dave Smith was out in the Reculver area between 0615 and 0900 and recorded 6 Mute Swans, 8 Black-tailed Godwits flying E, 2 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 calling Spotted Redshank, 7 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat and 7 Yellow Wagtails.

After lunch Matt walked from Reculver to Bishopstone and inland. He recorded 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Teal, 64 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 200 Rooks, 60 Jackdaws, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Whinchats, 10 Grey Partridges, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.  

Spotted Flycatcher - Matt Hindle

 

September 3rd

It was overcast but mild this morning as we walked around Reculver bushes and then inland. Birds we saw included 5 Blackcaps, 4  Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Robins, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 21 Coot, 60 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Common Sandpipers, 30 Teal, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Derek Smith had a good morning walking from Minnis Bay to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and embankment between 0700 and 1100. He recorded 7 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 1 Whimbrel E, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank in Coldharbour, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 dark phase Arctic Skua E, 42 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 28 Pied Wagtails, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 14 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 9 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 14 Cetti's Warblers and 6 Corn Buntings.

Spotted Redshank in Coldharbour - Derek Smith

September 2nd

The early morning mist cleared quickly and left a mainly sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We counted 7 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 9 Sedge Warblers, 10 Goldfinches, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Egret, 12 Teal, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Derek Smith was also out between 0600 and 0930 and walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 36 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Common Terns, 2 Greenshank, 12 Dunlin, 1 Short-eared Owl at the Shuart crossing, 1 Wheatear, 18 Swallows, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Reed Warblers, 18 Sedge Warblers, 14 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers.

September 1st

This morning at Reculver we had a Spotted Redshank calling frequently in the drizzle and flying out to sea. This afternoon we walked inland and counted 6 Chiffchaffs, 55 Mallard, 22 Coot, 5 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shoveler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Raven, 4 Swallows, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Goldfinches and 1 Kingfisher.