October 31st
The last day of October dawned sunny if a little misty as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. Birds we saw included 3 Kestrels, 35 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 14 Skylarks, 32 Chaffinches, 29 Goldfinches, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 26 Reed Buntings, 67 Golden Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher, 17 Bearded Tits, 4 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 76 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 45 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 26 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 42 Carrion Crows, 10 Linnets, 2 Grey Plovers, 9 Meadow Pipits, 2 Siskins and 8 Long-tailed Tits. As we were driving home a ring-tail Hen Harrier flew across the road near Marshside and flew on towards Reculver.

Meadow Pipit

Male Bearded Tit

We met Derek Smith and Patrick Giles at Coldharbour as they walked back to Shuart. Their highlights were 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea at Minnis Bay, 4 Stonechats, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Dartford Warbler still at Shuart crossing, 6 Chiffchaffs and 40 Goldcrests.
This afternoon Chris Tedder recorded not only a Great White Egret flying over the marsh between Reculver and Chamber's Wall but a Raven as well.

Great White Egret - Chris Tedder

Raven - Chris Tedder

October 30th
This morning we walked around the Shuart area and then on to Plumpudding. We saw 2 Lapwings, 31 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 juvenile Hen Harrier, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 27 Long-tailed Tits, 16 Blackbirds, 33 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrushes, 15 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Skylarks, 3 Cormorants, 85 Chaffinches W, 1 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Rock Pipit, 28 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Mute Swans, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Chiffchaff.
The "Continental" Coal Tit was still at the feeders in our garden this morning.
This afternoon a walk inland from Reculver produced 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Coot, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Jack Snipe (193rd) flushed from a field.

October 29th
On a cloudy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 45 Chaffinches, 21 Blackbirds, 6 Redwings, 58 Cormorants, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel 3 Coot, 12 Goldfinches, 2 Stonechats, 38 Mallard, 56 Linnets, 47 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 70 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 24 Teal, 1 Curlew, 26 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Swallow and 12 Long-tailed Tits.

Female Stonechat

October 28th
This morning was a washout so we went shopping and birdwatched after lunch. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 9 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Lapwings, 14 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 7 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, 17 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Egrets, 14 Goldfinches, 152 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 89 Linnets, 35 Mallard and 1 Oystercatcher.
Marc Heath found 2 Firecrests in Bishopstone Glen.

Goldfinch

October 27th
We spent another morning ringing at Shuart and saw 45 Lapwings, 22 Fieldfares, 3 Bramblings, 9 Lesser Redpoll W, 24 Siskins W, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Chiffchaffs, 20 Goldcrests, 23 Redwings, 2 Kestrels, 1 Golden Plover, 21 Skylarks, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 11 Chaffinches, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 14 Goldfinches, 11 Song Thrushes, 1 "Continental" Coal Tit, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats.

Birds ringed 31: Chiffchaff 4, Goldcrest 12, Chaffinch 1, Robin 1, Goldfinch 5, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 5.

Today we received two interesting first ringing details of birds we recently controlled at Shuart:

Blackcap ring no. EJ73693 we caught at Shuart on 15-10-15 was ringed on 04-10-15 at Revtangen, Klepp, Rogaland, NORWAY (864 km NNE)

Lesser Redpoll ring no. D821005 we caught at Shuart on 09-10-15 was ringed on 16-09-15 at Kilnsea Clays, East Riding of Yorkshire (260 km NNW)


 

Chiffchaff

 

On a sunny afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Kestrel, 14 Chaffinches, 1 Merlin, 1 Kingfisher, 45 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechat, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Redshank, 15 Mallard, 2 Turnstone, 5 Bearded Tits at Coldharbour also seen by Terry Wilson, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Redwings, 12 Blackbirds and the bird of the afternoon a juvenile Hen Harrier in the evening sunshine.

During the afternoon Mike Hook also saw 100 Sanderling near Plumpudding.

 

 

Juvenile Hen Harrier



October 26th
We spent the first part of the morning ringing at Shuart but the breeze increased blowing leaves into the nets so we packed up and went for a walk. During the morning we saw 14 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Bramblings, 16 Lapwings, 13 Skylarks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Siskins W, 1 Water Rail, 4 Grey Herons, 20 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 25 Song Thrushes, 20 Blackbirds, 1 Kestrel, 30 Goldcrests, 1 Snipe, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Merlins, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Blackcap, 10 Robins, 1 Common Buzzard, 110 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff.

Birds ringed 32: Goldcrest 13, Wren 1, Robin 4, Blackcap 1, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 1, Blackbird 4.

Mike Longdon saw a Black Redstart near Coldharbour during the afternoon.

October 25th
On a sunny but chilly morning we ringed out on the Marsh south of the railway where we saw 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Redwings, 22 Skylarks, 1 Snipe, 7 Goldcrests, 2 Siskins W, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Corn Buntings, 3 Golden Plovers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Crossbills W, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Redpolls W, 3 Swallows, 1 Kestrel and 210 Starlings W.

Birds ringed 24: Goldcrest 3, Wren 3, Robin 6, Chaffinch 1, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.

Marc Heath saw 1 Dartford Warbler this morning near the Shuart crossing.

October 24th
We spent the morning ringing near Reculver where we counted 19 Mute Swans, 9 Gadwall, 2 Water Rails, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 201 Siskins, 7 Bramblings, 15 Redwings, 14 Goldcrests, 1 Kestrel, 9 Cormorants, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Grey Heron, 378 Chaffinches flying W, 37 Swallows, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Coot, 1 Grey Wagtail, 12 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Goldfinches and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 24: Wren 2, Goldcrest 7, Chiffchaff 4, Robin 4, Cetti's Warbler 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith had an excellent morning's vis mig as he walked from Shuart to the stables and along the railway embankment between 0730 and 1100. He recorded 1 Marsh Harrier SW, 46 Swallows SW, 1,330 Starlings W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 6 Pied Wagtails W, 1 Kingfisher, 42 Skylarks SW, 5 Meadow Pipits SW, 4 Mistle Thrushes SW, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 36 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats, 84 Siskins, 10 Redpoll, 116 Goldfinches, 2,320 Chaffinches SW, 8 Brambling W, 5 Greenfinches W, 28 Linnets, 13 Reed Buntings SW and 1 Corn Bunting.
This afternoon a walk along the seawall from Reculver produced 108 Chaffinches W, 6 Redshank, 26 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 42 Goldfinches, 155 Starlings W, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Swallows, 2 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 3 Curlews, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear and 1 Peregrine.
Matt also found 2 Dartford Warblers at Shuart associating with 2 Stonechats.

October 23rd
On a dull but windless morning we walked around the Shuart area and recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Little Owl, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 11 Siskins, 4 Kestrels, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Fieldfares, 29 Chaffinches, 1 unringed Great Grey Shrike, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechats, 55 Linnets, 3 House Martins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Dartford Warbler, 25 Goldfinches, 81 Redwings, 17 Blackbirds, 51 Lesser Redpoll feeding on Greater Willowherb, 3 Brambling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swallows, 1 male Peregrine unsuccessfully chasing a Redwing, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets and 1 Jay.

Great Grey Shrike

In addition Marc Heath who arrived a little later heard the Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Coal Tits as well as finding a second Dartford Warbler by the railway crossing.

October 22nd
This morning began overcast but halfway through our walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour the sun came out. We saw 2 Goldcrests, 15 Cormorants, 36 Blackbirds, 25 Redwings, 14 Goldfinches, 51 Chaffinches, 39 Oystercatchers, 32 Reed Buntings, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Stonechats, 5 Redpoll, 4 Mute Swans, 24 Mallard, 42 Carrion Crows, 2 Wheatears, 5 Rock Pipits, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Linnets, 1 Barnacle Goose flying W, 13 Skylarks, 1 Water Rail, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Common Buzzard.

Wheatear

Barnacle Goose

As we walked back from Coldharbour we met Simon Summers who had walked from Shuart and had seen 2 Ravens, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Long-eared Owl and 1 Merlin.
Marc Heath also walked in from Shuart where he heard the Yellow-browed Warbler still calling and found another Dartford Warbler near the railway crossing and 7 Bearded Tits near Coldharbour.
The Great Grey Shrike was also seen again by Richard Collins and others during the day.

October 21st
On a thoroughly miserable morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the railway embankment. We counted 8 Cormorants, 52 Chaffinches, 1 Merlin zipping along the Wantsum, 7 Swallows W, 16 Blackbirds, 23 Lapwings W, 48 Golden Plover, 28 Reed Buntings, 31 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 39 Carrion Crows, 1 Wheatear, 7 Oystercatchers, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Pied Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 22 Redwings, 52 Goldfinches, 9 Goldcrests, 69 |Siskins W, 19 Redpolls W, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine and 1 Jay.

October 20th
With only limited time on what was a beautiful morning we walked right around the Reculver area. We saw 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 24 Golden Plovers, 1 Redshank,10 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron, 21 Lapwings W, 12 Robins, 1 Siskin, 2 Jays, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Chaffinches, 21 Redwings, 11 Blackbirds, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtails and 14 Mute Swans.

Redshank

Derek Smith spent the morning walking from Shuart along the railway embankment to the Wantsum and back via Plumpudding. He recorded 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Long-eared Owl in bushes beside the Wantsum, 7 Pied Wagtails W, 18 Skylarks W, 830 Starlings W, 2 Wheatears, 5 Stonechats, 22 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 62 Goldcrests, 1 Tree Sparrows, 6 Greenfinches W, 3 Redpoll W, 9 Siskins W, 74 Chaffinches, 2 Brambling and 1 Corn Bunting.

Wheatear

Long-eared Owl

Marc Heath saw the Dartford Warbler on the cliffs below the Miramar Rest Home refound by Eric Brown and also found another one in a stubble field by the car park in Bishopstone Lane.

Dartford Warbler

October 19th
We had another excellent morning's ringing at Shuart where the highlight was catching and ringing our first ever Great Grey Shrike - a superb if somewhat vicious bird in the hand!

First winter Great Grey Shrike

Other birds we saw during the morning included 2 Green Woodpeckers, 19 Siskins, 56 Chaffinches, 45 Goldcrests, 49 Lesser Redpoll, 350 Redwings, 19 Fieldfares, 159 Song Thrushes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests, 2 Common Buzzards, 11 Bramblings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Ring Ouzels, 5 Swallows, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 25 Blackbirds, 17 Skylarks and 1 Chiffchaff.

Birds ringed 58: Goldcrest 29, Firecrest 2, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 3, Robin 7, Cetti's Warbler 1, Song Thrush 6, Blackbird 7, Great Grey Shrike 1.

We continue to have one or two "Continental" Coal Tits visiting the feeders in our garden.

"Continental" Coal Tit

After Derek Smith had come to see the Great Grey Shrike he walked along the railway embankment and on to Chamber's Wall and saw 30 Swallows W, 22 Fieldfares SW, 80 Redwings SW, 60 Blackbirds, 45 Song Thrushes, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Stonechat, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 42 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 28 Siskins W, 19 Redpoll W, 67 Chaffinches W, 11 Greenfinches W, 3 Brambling W, 4 Tree Sparrows W and 3 Corn Buntings.
Terry Wilson found a Firecrest at Plumpudding and had 12 Common Scoter off Grenham Bay. 

October 18th
On a morning that started dull and damp and ended warm and sunny we had another successful ringing session at Reculver. In five hours we saw 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 24 Mute Swans, 2 Pochard, 3 Mallard, 2 Coot, 80 Goldcrests, 6 Bramblings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 24 Redwings, 29 Lesser Redpoll, 42 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 123 Siskins, 15 Robins, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Crossbills NW, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Water Rail, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 25 Skylarks, 4 Kingfishers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Snipe, 2 Jays, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Song Thrushes, 15 Meadow Pipits, 2 Coal Tits and 17 Swallows.

Birds ringed 77: Goldcrest 36, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Robin 6, Siskin 21, Blackcap 2, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3, Kingfisher 1.

Female Siskin

Dave Smith was also out in the area this morning and his highlights were 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ring Ouzel, 30 Swallows, 2 House Martins and 3 Yellowhammers. He also refound the Dartford Warbler on the cliffs below the Miramar Rest Home.
In addition Marc Heath had 2 Ravens on the Towers early on, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Yellowhammer and the Great Grey Shrike still in the scrub below the Miramar Rest Home, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl and 6 Brambling.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back to Plumpudding between 0730 and 1330. He found 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Snipe W, 22 Lapwings W, 30 Fieldfares, 120 Song Thrushes, 65 Blackbirds, 80 Redwings, 32 Skylarks W, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 380 Starlings W, 1 Stonechat, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 180 Goldcrests, 2 Tree Sparrows E, 4 Bearded Tits, 6 Brambling W, 136 Chaffinches W, 44 Redpolls W, 144 Siskins W, 8 Bullfinches, 18 Reed Buntings and 2 Yellowhammers.

Male Bearded Tit - Derek Smith

October 17th
With the fresh northerly still blowing we spent a successful morning ringing at our Reculver site where there was good protection from the wind. We saw 6 Siskins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 19 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, 100 Goldcrests, 21 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Water Rail, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Jay, 19 Mute Swans, 11 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon.3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Blackcaps, 20 Robins, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 32 Chaffinches, 3 Swallows, 3 Crossbills W, 1 Brambling, 1 Firecrest, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Little Egret.

Birds ringed 76: Goldcrest 41, Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 5, Robin 13, Blackcap 3, Blue Tit 1, Siskin 4, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 2, Blackbird 4.

Male Siskin

Male Firecrest



During the morning Dave Smith found a Lapland Bunting (192nd) at Hillborough in fields near the Church.