October 15th

With a fresh, chilly NW wind blowing we spent two and a half hours seawatching at Reculver with Dave Smith. Most birds we saw were flying W and we counted 1 Arctic Skua, 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Gannets, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Red-throated Divers E, 2 Kittiwakes, 4 Razorbills, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Gadwall, 1 Lapland Bunting flying E over the Towers and calling (184th), 29 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Rock Pipits, 20 Common Gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Scoter E, 1 Curlew, 42 Skylarks and 4 Shelduck.

After this we had a walk inland and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Little Grebes, 40 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Peregrine, 70 Mallard, 1 female Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Redwing.

October 14th

Anne and I had intended to do a seawatch at Reculver this morning but the threatened NW wind didn't materialise so instead we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. It was much colder but at least sunny this morning and we counted 5 Pied Wagtails, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 39 Meadow Pipits, 6 Reed Buntings, 1 Redshank, 21 Carrion Crows, 22 Linnets, 54 Mallard, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow W, 1 Stonechat, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Ringed Plovers, 1 Jay and 12 Skylarks W.

Matt decided to have a seawatch between 0700 and 0945 and was joined by Dave Smith for most of the time. He recorded 3 Pintail W, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull W, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Red-throated Divers, 8 Razorbills W, 4 Gannets, 5 Rock Pipits W, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Scoter E, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 57 Skylarks W, 4 Ringed Plovers and 1 Turnstone.

When Dave Smith left Matt he walked around Reculver bushes and saw 1 Jay, 64 Skylarks, 2 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing and 4 Siskins.

October 13th

With a south-west gale blowing in showers this morning we spent an hour and a half birding at Reculver. We counted 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Pied Wagtails, 31 Ringed Plovers W, 6 Razorbills E, 6 Chiffchaffs in the bushes, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Swift in off the sea, 15 Meadow Pipits W, 9 Great Black-backed Gulls, 22 Goldfinches W, 17 Swallows W, 29 House Martins W, 57 Chaffinches W, 6 Gannets, 1 Red-throated Diver E and 1 Goldcrest calling by the playground.

October 12th

On a very showery morning we spent and hour seawatching at Minnis Bay where we saw 7 Little Egrets, 17 Razorbills, a flock of 14 flying E and 3 flying W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Gannets, 120 Oystercatchers, 8 Turnstone, 3 Curlew and 1 Grey Heron.

October 11th

On a cloudy and breezy but mild morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 7 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 16 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Little Grebes, 32 Turnstone, 10 Ringed Plovers, 5 Sanderling, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Razorbills, 2 Oystercatchers, 10 Reed Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Swallows W, 1 Little Egret and 1 Gannet W.

We met Dave Smith near Coldharbour after he had walked in from Shuart and along the railway embankment before continuing on to Plumpudding and back to Shuart. He had seen 2 Little Grebes, 50 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 50 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 2 Razorbills, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 16 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Chaffinches and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

October 10th

On a bright and sunny morning with the tide coming in we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 4 Pied Wagtails, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 98 Meadow Pipits, 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Common Gulls W, 42 Mallard, 1 Gannet W, 1 Short-eared Owl beside the seawall, 44 Linnets, 13 Greylag Geese, 25 Reed Buntings, 7 Goldfinches, 41 Carrion Crows, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 32 Golden Plovers, 11 Skylarks, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Swallow W and 2 Stonechats.

Cormorant

Red-throated Diver

Derek Smith was out early and had a good morning as he walked from Shuart, along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 2 Little Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrels, 22 Lapwings, 35 Song Thrushes, 1 Ring Ouzel at the Wade crossing, 80 Meadow Pipits W, 4 Stonechats, 1+ Bearded Tit, 530 Chaffinches W, 18 Brambling W, 7 Siskins W, 6 Redpoll W, 1 Corn Bunting, 40 Chiffchaffs and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in the hog's fennel at Coldharbour.

October 9th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where there appeared to be a good movement of birds. We saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 51 Bramblings W, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Ravens, 20 Chiffchaffs, 9 Mallard, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 21 Redwing W, 5 "continental" Song Thrushes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 15 Lapwings, 18 Siskins W, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 46 Skylarks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Merlin, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Snipe, 8 Magpies, 6 Corn Buntings, 30 Reed Buntings, 2 Kestrels, 20 Chaffinches W and 15 Linnets.

Birds ringed 39: Chiffchaff 10, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 5, Reed Bunting 15, Robin 1, Linnet 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1, Moorhen 1.

First year Moorhen

Between 0700 and 1200 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment and Green Wall to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 1 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Gannet W, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Pintail W, 24 Coot, 11 Lapwings W, 22 Magpies W, 15 Redwing W, 1 Kingfisher, 155 Starlings W, 8 Skylarks W, 6 alba Wagtails W, 2 Rock Pipits, 8 Stonechats, 6 Bearded Tits, 36 Brambling W, 120 Chaffinches W, 16 Redpoll W, 52 Siskins W, 20 Goldfinches, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 65 Chiffchaffs and 8 Goldcrest.

October 8th

This morning we had a ringing session at Reculver where we saw 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Little Grebes, 20 Coot, 2 Tufted Ducks, 59 Mallard, 48 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Pied Wagtails, 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 17 Swallows, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Blackcap, 12 Siskins, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Firecrest.

Birds ringed 29: Chiffchaff 17, Goldcrest 2, Wren 1, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 4, Blackcap 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.

Dave Smith walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall and counted 9 Grey Partridges, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Skylarks W, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Swallows, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Redwings, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Stonechats, 9 Chaffinches W, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 10 Siskins W.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and had a long walk from Shuart to Brooksend and back by way of the embankment and Coldharbour. He counted 4 Little Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 27 Little Egrets, 8 Grey Herons, 6 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Teal W, 1 Wigeon W, 1 Sandwich Tern, 12 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Redwings, 23 Magpies W, 12 Skylarks W, 1 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 10 Stonechats, 5 Bearded Tits, 22 Chaffinches W, 7 Bramblings, 27 Siskins W, 3 Lesser Redpoll W, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 33 Chiffchaffs and 1 Yellowhammer W.

October 7th

We spent another sunny morning ringing at Reculver and saw 13 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck, 60 Teal, 80 Mallard, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 60 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 female Peregrine, 2 Jays, 2 Kestrels, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 14 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 40 Lapwings, 2 Ravens and 2 Siskins.

Birds ringed 52: Chiffchaff 46, Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 3, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1.

Chiffchaff

Dave Smith was also out this morning and in four hours walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. His highlights were 3 Little Grebes, 1 Golden Plover, 25 Lapwings, 2 Redshank, 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Marsh Harriers, including one flying in off the sea, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Bearded Tits, 5 Swallows W, 26 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 20 Chaffinches W and 8 Siskins.

October 6th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 40 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Greylag Geese, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Lesser Redpoll W, 3 Redwings, the first of the autumn, 5 Siskins, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jay W, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 House Martins, 1 Swallow and 10 Chaffinches.

Birds ringed 35: Chiffchaff 24, Goldcrest 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Blackcap 4, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1.

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He counted 12 Greylag Geese, 8 Grey Partridges, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Redshank, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 6 Bearded Tits, 5 House Martins, 41 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 116 Starlings W, 1 Stonechat, 856 Chaffinches W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 7 Swallows.

We have just received the ringing information of a first year Reed Warbler we caught at Reculver on 27th August. It had initially been ringed as a juvenile at Rutland Water on 28th July and had flown 192 km SE to reach Reculver.

October 5th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 12 Little Egrets, 10 Chiffchaffs, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Kestrel, 19 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches, 6 Reed Buntings, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 86 Mallard, 32 Carrion Crows, 7 Ringed Plovers, 27 Lapwings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 male Marsh Harrier and 1 Hobby.

Dave Smith was out this afternoon from 1600 and walked at Shuart, Minnis Bay and Plumpudding. He saw 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Lapwing, 20 Ringed Plovers, 30 Turnstone, 1 Razorbill on the sea, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 1 Firecrest.

October 4th

It was cool but sunny this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Grey Herons, 19 Swallows flying W, 4 Little Egrets, 9 Redshank, 34 Linnets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 65 Mallard, 6 Goldfinches, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Wheatear, 7 Mediterranean Gulls, 181 House Martins flying W, 13 Lapwings and 1 Sandwich Tern. We also found 3 Wall Browns sunning themselves on the Roman walls.

Wall Brown

October 3rd

There had been an overnight change in the weather and there was a chilly WNW wind blowing in drizzle as we arrived at Reculver this morning. We walked around a couple of sites and counted 11 Chiffchaffs, 58 Mallard, 45 Teal, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Pied Wagtails, 5 Goldfinches, 6 Skylarks, 1 Wheatear and 1 Red-throated Diver flying E.

October 2nd

On a misty and muggy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 2 Stonechats, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, 14 Chaffinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harrriers, 20 Reed Buntings, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Bearded Tits in the reeds at Coldharbour, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 immature Gannet flying E, 2 Little Grebes and 17 Goldfinches.

We have been wondering where the Blackcaps we have been seeing and ringing over the last few days come from. We caught a male Blackcap on September 30th at Reculver that had already been ringed and received its ringing information this evening. It had been ringed at Westdown Plantation, Wiltshire on September 16th and had flown 218 km E to reach Reculver.

October 1st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 60 Chiffchaffs, 20 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Sandpipers, 7 Little Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 20 Teal, 60 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Coot, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Raven, 3 Jays, 14 Siskins W, 1 Water Rail, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtails and 3 Stonechats. We also saw a Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Birds ringed 62: Chiffchaff 45, Blackcap 12, Robin 1, Blue Tit 3, Song Thrush 1.