November 16th

Matt had a superb seawatch today between 0645 and 1445 together with Derek Smith, Dave Smith, Anne and me. It was overcast and there was a fresh NE breeze blowing and with rain on and off for the first three hours. Matt's final totals were 2,259 Dark-belled Brent Geese arriving in large flocks from the east with some moving inland, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 128 Common Scoter mainly flying E, 4 Mediterranean Gulls E, 35 Little Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 39 Teal W, 6 Great Northern Divers E, 1 Peregrine, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 13 Razorbills E, 41 large auks E, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 42 Kittiwakes E, 39 Dunlin E, 5 Curlew, 4 Shoveler W, 25 Gannets E, 6 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Woodcock in off the sea, 122 Lapwings W, 5 Gadwall W, 29 Sheduck W, 25 Pintail W, 1 male Goosander W, 2 Black-throated Divers E, 1 Ruff E, 1 Arctic Skua W, 1 female/immature Goldeneye E, 5 Great Skuas W, 20 Starlings W, 1 Red-necked Grebe on the sea off the Towers (204th), 4 Pomarine Skuas E, 6 Wigeon W, 5 Eider E and a flock of Brent Geese with 1 Pink-footed Goose (205th) and 1 Greylag Goose.

Moulting adult Great Northern Diver - Derek Smith

 In addition, Julian Perry found 3 Snow Buntings on the beach near to Coldharbour. 

 November 15th

The morning began sunny but fog rolled in at about 0745 before clearing again at 0900. Matt was out at daybreak and walked along the seawall from Reculver where we met him later at the Wantsum outflow. He recorded 240 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Little Gulls E, 44 Kittiwakes E, 18 Curlew, 27 Gannets, 13 Red-throated Divers, 1 female/immature Black Redstart, 16 Wigeon, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Teal W, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Stonechats, 17 Common Scoter, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Redshank, 30 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Skuas E, 3 Siskin and 1 Great Northern Diver on the sea at Reculver.

Female/immature Black Redstart - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith was out birding on the Marsh this afternoon and counted 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 55 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 22 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye at Coldharbour, 2 Goosanders (203rd), 18 Grey Plovers, 17 Golden Plovers, 9 Lapwings, 2 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snow Bunting and 20 Corn Buntings.

 November 14th

On a wet morning we walked from Reculver to the Green Wall and counted 190 Dark-belied Brent Geese, 16 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 80 Carrion Crows, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 15 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 6 Corn Buntings, 17 Oystercatchers and 14 Cormorants.

Matt had a seawatch at Minnis Bay and recorded 6 Sandwich Terns E, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Red-throated Divers, 77 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Common Scoter, 4 Little Gulls E, 1 Kittiwake E, 1 large auk and 1 Gannet.

 November 13th

This morning Anne and I walked inland at Reculver and then looked at the sea. We saw 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Siskins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 34 Teal, 73 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 54 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon, 130 Coot, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Redshank, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Red-throated Diver, 35 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Black Redstart, 24 Common Scoter and 1 Sandwich Tern E.

Black Redstart

Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment and saw 7 Goldcrests, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Razorbill, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Stonechats, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Wigeon, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Skylarks, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Redpoll, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 307 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Pied Wagtails, 4 Redwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Firecrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Blackbirds and 1 Rock Pipit.

Derek Smith was also out walking from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour  and back via Plumpudding. He recorded 46 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel,1 Peregrine, 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 142 Woodpigeons W, 23 Skylarks W, 6 Stonechats, 2 Fieldfares, 6 Redwing, 124 Chaffinches W, 3 Repoll W, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests and 1 Corn Bunting.

 November 12th

Although there was a southerly wind blowing this morning we decided to have a seawatch at Minnis Bay. Between 0745 and 0915 we counted 18 Gannets, 3 Mediterranean Gulls E, 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, 136 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 immature Peregrine, 32 Chaffinches W, 1 Siskin W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Grey Plovers, 22 Turnstone, 1 Redpoll W, 7 Linnets and 1 Common Scoter E.

 November 11th

After yesterday's washout, this morning was overcast as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 125 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 58 Meadow Pipits, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Redshank, 1 immature Snow Bunting, 38 Mallard, 5 Skylarks, 90 Carrion Crows, 4 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine, 1 Lapwing, 1 Tufted Duck W, 1 Sandwich Tern E and 2 Pied Wagtails. There was also a Yellow-browed Warbler in bushes at Reculver.

 November 9th

On a beautiful sunny morning with the tide out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 2 Brambling W, 228 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Pied Wagtails, 7 Lapwings W, 1 male Black Redstart, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Goldfinches, 2 Redpoll W, 13 Skylarks, 3 Grey Herons, 110 Carrion Crows, 2 Stonechats, 31 Oystercatchers, 10 Reed Buntings, 9 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Little Grebes, 10 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 male Ruff, 48 Mallard and 12 Ringed Plovers.

Male Ruff

Matt was out at first light and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw 1 Great Northern Diver on the sea off the Towers, 5 Brambling, 1 male Black Redstart, 3 Chiffchaffs, 295 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Pochard E, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Wigeon, 1 Siskin, 1 Curlew, 5 Grey Herons, 7 Redshank, 34 Corn Buntings, 7 Stonechats, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Lapwings W, 2 Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Rock Pipits, 5 Little Grebes, 75 Meadow Pipits, 5 Redpoll, 15 Golden Plovers, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 1 Yellowhammer, 120 Linnets, 140 Chaffinches, 1 Water Rail and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Dave Smith was also out and found a Dartford Warbler near Chamber's Wall as well as 2 Yellowhammers and 1 Brambling W. 

 November 8th

It was sunny this morning as we had a ringing session on the Marsh south of the railway. We saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 75 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Brambling, 25 Song Thrushes, 1 Golden Plover, 15 Skylarks W, 1 Goldcrest, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Peregrines, 1 Snow Bunting flying N, 22 Chaffinches, 3 Siskins, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Little Egret.

Birds ringed 35: Goldcrest 4, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Chaffinch 3, Robin 3, Reed Bunting 7, Blue Tit 1, Stonechat 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Song Thrush 6, Blackbird 6.

First year male Stonechat

 November 7th

We spent an overcast morning ringing at one of our Shuart sites where we saw 6 Cetti's Warblers, 27 Lapwings, 28 Mallard, 20 Redwing, 180 Chaffinches, 2 Fieldfares, 18 Skylarks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Blackbirds, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Raven, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Stonechats, 2 Brambling, 2 Barnacle Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 19 Siskins, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Snipe, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Firecrest, 2 Redpoll, 10 Reed Buntings, 26 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Corn Bunting and 600 Starlings W.

Birds ringed 42: Goldcrest 2, Firecrest 1, Reed Bunting 6, Blue Tit 4, Cetti's Warbler 3, Chaffinch 5, Blackcap 2, Robin 3, Stonechat 1, Redpoll 1, Dunnock 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 9. 

This morning Dave Smith recorded 2 Black Redstarts and a late Wheatear on the rocks at Reculver. 

Wheatear - Dave Smith

 November 6th

This morning we had our first ringing session for a while at Reculver. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 24 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 14 Skylarks W, 6 Redpoll, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 12 Goldcrests, 35 Siskins, 5 Little Grebes, 131 Coot, 77 Gadwall, 14 Wigeon, 15 Tufted Duck, 25 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 2 Water Rails, 50 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 first winter Dartford Warbler, 2 Fieldfares, 800 Starlings W, 1 Kestrel, 10 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Sparrowhawks.

Birds ringed 34: Goldcrest 7, Chiffchaff 6, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 7, Cetti's Warbler 1,  Blue Tit 4, Robin 1, Redpoll 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2.

First winter Redpoll

 November 5th

On a pleasant but breezy morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 42 Meadow Pipits, 4 Goldfinches, 14 Skylarks, 21 Ringed Plovers, 14 Mute Swans, 31 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 135 Carrion Crows, 9 Common Gulls W, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Shelduck,  4 Sanderling, 4 Little Grebes, 300 Starlings, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 23 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 Kingfisher.

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Wigeon, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Stonechats, 10 Corn Buntings, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Grebes, 58 Ringed Plovers, 12 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 24 Turnstone, 39 Sanderling, 25 Grey Plovers, 4 Bramblings W, 40 Redshank, 1 immature Shag sitting on rocks at Minnis Bay, 2 Redpoll, 1 Sandwich Tern, 59 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 18 Golden Plovers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 45 Chaffinches, 700 Starlings, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Peregrine, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 male Marsh Harrier.

Immature Shag - Matt Hindle

 Marc Heath had 12 Crossbills fly W at Hillborough. 

 November 4th

 This morning Anne and I walked inland at Reculver and saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Redwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 85 Gadwall, 52 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 130 Coot, 66 Teal, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Peregrine, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Meadow Pipits, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Siskins, 85 Stock Doves, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Whilst we were doing this Matt was birding at Shuart where he recorded 10 Goldcrests, 1 Crossbill, 7 Corn Buntings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 6 Siskins, 23 Chaffinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 2 Fieldfares, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Redpoll, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese and 1 Common Buzzard. 

We then met at Reculver car park where we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Skylarks W, 33 Chaffinches W, 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 male Scaup flying E (202nd).

 November 3rd

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and then back along the railway embankment. He recorded 5 Rock Pipits, 2 Kingfishers, 5 Gannets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 8 Little Egrets, 7 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Shelduck, 30 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Duck flying W (201st), 22 Grey Plovers, 19 Curlew, 1 Stonechat, 1 Brambling, 7 Goldcrests, 36 Redpoll W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 15 Golden Plovers, 2 Lapwings, 9 Wigeon, 110 Chaffinches W, 50 Corn Buntings, 1 Sandwich Tern, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 juvenile Arctic Tern. 

Ruff - Matt Hindle

 

Anne and I walked around the Towers and counted 8 Gannets, 41 Chaffinches W, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 90 Carrion Crows, 1 Kestrel, 12 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 48 Stock Doves, 1 Swallow flying W, 19 Meadow Pipits, 23 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Little Egrets and 1 juvenile Arctic Tern E.

November 2nd

We met Matt at a rainy Minnis Bay where we had a seawatch from 0700 to 0930. Birds we counted included 7 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Red-throated Divers, 17 Gannets, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 large auks, 26 Grey Plovers, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Siskins W, 1 Rock Pipit, 140 Chaffinches W, 12 Linnets W, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Arctic Terns fishing offshore, 1 Golden Plover and 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Matt also saw a Harbour Porpoise before we arrived.

 November 1st

On a chilly and showery morning we walked around at Reculver and counted 132 Cormorants, 9 Gannets, 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser E, 1 Curlew, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches, 6 Chaffinches, 5 Skylarks W, 2 Pied Wagtails and 17 Ringed Plover W.