September 30th
We spent a breezy morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 34 Siskins, 2 Kestrels, 1 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 48 Goldfinches, 25 Song Thrushes flying in high from the east, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 33 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Golden Plovers, 6 Redwings, our first of the autumn,  1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Lesser Redpolls.

Birds ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 3, Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 4, Blackbird 4.

"Continental" Song Thrush

Micky Baldock also had a Yellow-browed Warbler in Bishopstone Glen.
Later Matt and I had a walk around Reculver and recorded 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 14 Brent Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Jays, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 12 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes, 5 Mallard, 2 Common Terns and 1 Kingfisher.
This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back via Potten Street between 0645 and 1000. Birds he saw included 1 Snipe E, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 45 Song Thrushes, 95 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 23 Goldcrests.

September 29th
On another sunny morning with an easterly breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then had a look at Reculver caravan bushes. We saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Swallows, 16 Chiffchaffs, 26 Chaffinches, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 54 Mallard, 9 Goldfinches, 3 Redshank, 3 Coot, 6 Cormorant, 16 Sandwich Terns E, 24 Linnets, 52 Oystercatchers, 5 Canada Geese, only the second report of the year, 2 Little Egret, 31 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 1 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 8 Reed Bunting, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Blackcaps.

Canada Geese

20 Wigeon and 1 Pintail

This afternoon at Reculver we saw 19 Brent Geese, 1 male Common Scoter E, 1 Gannet E, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Grey Wagtail and 7 Swallows.

September 28th
In similar weather to yesterday we arrived a bit later than usual at Reculver and walked up to Coldharbour and then around the caravan bushes. We saw 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Black Redstarts, 10 Cormorants, 55 Linnets, 16 Meadow Pipits, 6 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 24 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats, 43 Mallard, 4 Swallows, 49 Ringed Plovers, 9 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 41 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 1 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest and 4 Siskins W.
This afternoon 40 minutes at the Towers produced 1 Osprey flying W, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Brent Geese and the 2 Black Redstarts.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson had 17 Brent flying towards Reculver and also a Hobby at Plumpudding.

September 27th
With a light easterly breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall and round Coldharbour before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 9 Mute Swans, 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 11 Cormorants, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Siskins, 9 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 3 Wigeon, 69 Mallard, 1 juvenile Pintail (182nd), 5 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Reed Buntings, 9 Redshank, 24 Common Scoter E, 1 Curlew, 1 Lapwing W, 32 Linnets, 33 Oystercatchers, 1 Rock Pipit, 15 Skylarks, 52 Sanderling, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Swallows and 2 Green Sandpipers.

Juvenile Pintail

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the embankment between 0630 and 1200 and saw 1 Raven flying S at Shuart Farm, 55 Starlings W, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 4 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 34 Chiffchaffs, 16 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 15 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest.
This afternoon he had a look at the Towers and had 2 Black Redstarts and 13 Sanwich Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull,  2 Little Gulls (183rd) and 1 Great Skua flying E.
Later Chris Gibbard found a calling Yellow-browed Warbler in Bishopstone Glen (184th).

September 26th
On another beautiful morning we walked from Reculver up to the Hog's Fennel at Coldharbour and then around the caravan bushes. Birds we saw included 34 Goldfinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Siskins, 13 Cormorants, 11 Chiffchaffs, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 12 Little Egrets, 67 Sanderlings, 6 Redshank, 98 Linnets, 33 Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 1 Stonechat, 16 Mallard, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swans, 16 Reed Buntings, 11 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Owl, 1 Turtle Dove and 4 Long-tailed Tits.

Meadow Pipit

September 25th
We spent a beautiful early autumn morning ringing at Shuart where there quite a few birds to be seen. Birds recorded included 4 Common Buzzards, 68 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 29 Redpoll W, 51 Siskins, 22 Goldcrests, 42 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 27 Lapwings, 13 Long-tailed Tits, 45 Skylarks W, 1 Peregrine, 23 Goldfinches, 24 Chaffinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Crossbills W, 1 Whitethroat, 41 Swallows, 2 Jays, 2 House Martins, 1 Sedge Warbler and 3 Snipe.

Birds ringed: Chiffchaff 20, Goldcrest 6, Wren 2, Blackcap 21, Great Tit 4, Chaffinch 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 1, Blackbird 1.

Male Cetti's Warbler

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0645 and 1030 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and then along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and Potten Street. He recorded 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, including a flock of 4 flying along the railway embankment, 20 Meadow Pipits W, 140 Chiffchaffs, 14 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 30 Goldcrests, 5 Redpoll W and 23 Siskins W.

September 24th
With a fresh south west wind blowing we managed to walk from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall and railway embankment before the heavens opened. We counted 6 Goldcrests, 13 Chiffchaffs, 236 Swallows W, 390 House Martins W, 5 Sand Martins W, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti'sWarblers, 4 Blackcaps, 15 Chaffinches, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Kestrels, 9 Cormorants, 46 Mallard, 13 Meadow Pipits W, 42 Linnets, 9 Oystercatchers, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Wheatear, 5 Siskins W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Coot, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Redpoll W.
Matt was also out this morning and walked at Reculver seeing 1 Grey Wagtail, 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Redstart, 6 Siskins W, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Snipe, 240 House Martins W, 150 Swallows W, 5 Sand Martins W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Winter plumaged Starling

September 23rd
We spent a mainly sunny but breezy morning ringing at Shuart where there had been an overnight arrival of Chiffchaffs. We saw 131 Siskins W, 3 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 80 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 8 Goldcrests, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Goldfinches, 9 Swallows, 8 Pied Wagtails, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 10 House Martins and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 56: Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 38, Blackcap 10, Blue Tit 2, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1

Spotted Flycatcher

This afternoon we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and saw 11 Chiffchaffs, 9 Siskins, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Little Owl, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Wheatears, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Redshanks, 8 Little Egrets, 7 Cormorants, 2 Stonechats, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Curlew, 3 Kestrels, 6 Mute Swans, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Sedge Warbler and 2 Kingfishers.

September 22nd
Matt was out early in the pouring rain at Reculver and managed to see 9 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sandwich Terns, 6 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Corn Bunting.
We then dashed down to Dungeness and after a wait in pouring rain managed to get reasonable views of the Acadian Flycatcher.
When we got back to Reculver there was a forecast of a fresh NW wind which did not materialise and all we saw in one hour was 2 Arctic Skuas E, 14 Swallows, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Gannets E and 1 Curlew.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson saw 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Wheatears, 20 Siskins and 4 Little Egrets before the rain arrived.

September 21st  -  The 300th species for Reculver
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and I found the 300th species for Reculver - a first winter Caspian Gull. I initially thought it was a Yellow-legged Gull but with help from Matt and Barry Hunt I am now happy that it's a Caspian a long overdue record for the area.
Other birds we saw included 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on the Towers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Black Redstart, 18 Oystercatchers, 8 Mute Swans, 11 Cormorants, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 121 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 6 Redshank, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 31 Swallows W,  4 Siskin W, 1 Golden Plover, 82 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Skylarks, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Wheatear and 150 House Martins mainly at the Towers.

First winter Caspian Gull

September 20th
It was a Chiffchaff morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then around Reculver bushes. We first heard Chiffchaffs calling in our garden as we left home and then counted 25+ at Chamber's Wall and 30+ at Reculver. I'm sure there were hundreds in the area.
Other birds seen in the Chamber's Wall area were 68 Linnets, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Chaffinches, 27 Siskins W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Reed Buntings, 92 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 12 Cormorants, 4 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wigeon, 13 Swallows W, 26 Oystercatchers, 2 Teal, 1 male Stonechat and 1 Snipe.
At Reculver there were 5 Siskins W, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Goldfinches, 35 Linnets and 1 Kingfisher.
Also this morning Derek Smith, together with Patrick Giles and Kerry McDonnell, walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the embankment between 0700 and 1200. They saw 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk in of the sea, 1 Barn Owl, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker W, 120 Starlings W, 4 Snipe W, 8 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sandwich Tern, 70 Meadow Pipits W, 38 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler at the Stables, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 2 Stonechats, 25 Linnets W, 27 Redpoll W, 200+ Siskins W, 57 Chaffinches W and 14 Reed Buntings W. They also found 2 Clouded Yellows.

Common Buzzard - Derek Smith

Clouded Yellow - Derek Smith

September 19th
After the last two days excitement today was a bit of a disappointment. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall and railway embankment and saw 59 Linnets,5 Chiffchaffs, 11 Chaffinches, 3 Kestrels,1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Coot, 28 Meadow Pipits W, 61 Mallard, 4 Mute Swans, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Swallow W, 34 Oystercatchers, 9 Cormorants, 1 Curlew, 5 Pied Wagtails W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Hobby, 7 Siskin W, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker and 10 Goldfinches.

Redshank

All we could find at Bishopstone Glen on the way home were 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Siskins, 1 Blackcap and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying W.

September 18th
Westerly passage continued unabated this morning as we dodged the heavy showers at Chamber's Wall and Reculver. In an hour and a half we saw 1,453 Swallows W, 91 Siskins W, 1 Lesser Redpoll W, 615 House Martins W, 4 Sand Martins W and 66 Meadow Pipits W. Other birds counted included 21 Chaffinches, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Kestrels, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Mallard, 8 Linnets, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Gadwall, 2 Coot, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Hobby chasing hirundines at Reculver and 1 Black Redstart still at the Towers.

Black Redstart at the Towers

Derek Smith birded around the Shuart area between 0700 and 1230 and recorded 5,000+ Swallows W, 300 House Martins W, 60 Sand Martins W, 14 Pied Wagtails W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 215 Meadow Pipits W, 959 Siskins W, 11 Reed Buntings W, 3 Reed Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 20 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 5 Lesser Redpolls W.

 

Grasshopper Warbler - Derek Smith

Siskin - Derek Smith

 

At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Wheatear and 12 Little Egrets.

This evening Dave Smith found a Pied Flycatcher in the Glen.



September 17th
We spent a breezy morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Kestrels, 306 Siskins flying W, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 14 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warblers, 77 Swallows W, 8 Goldfinches, 6 Grey Wagtails W, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Birds ringed: 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Willow Warblers, 9 Blackcaps, 1 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Blackbird.

Willow Warbler

We spent a couple of hours at Reculver between 1130 and 1500 with the highlight being a Balearic Shearwater (180th) flying E out of the Swale and then NE out to sea. Other birds we saw included 413 Meadow Pipits W, 60 Siskins W, 6 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Tree Pipit W, 1 Black Redstart, 10 Gannets, 1 Peregrine, 8 Sandwich Terns, 3 Redshank, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Kestrels, 1 Greenshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Oystercatchers, 52 Mallard, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 14 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Pied Flycatchers and 1 Reed Warbler.
There was a massive westerly hirundine movement, mainly Swallows, during the last hours of daylight at Bishopstone.

September 16th
This morning was a bit of a wash out. The threatened strong easterly wind was only a fresh breeze and there was not a lot to see. Derek Smith arrived at the Towers early and had only seen 46 Sandwich Terns flying E when we arrived at 0800. We stood at the Towers with him for a while and then walked inland and added another 16 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Curlews, 1 Wigeon W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 8 Goldfinches, 8 Siskin, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays, 6 Mallard, 2 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 1 Little Grebe.