January 31st
We had a short ringing session this morning by a set aside field near Reculver finishing just as the rain arrived. When Matt arrived at 0645 he found a Barn Owl feeding on a dead rat in the middle of the road. Other birds we saw included 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Yellowhammers, 85 Rooks, 1,165 Cormorants in about 10 flocks moving out from the Stour Valley to the sea, 20 Reed Buntings, 350 Woodpigeons, 36 Stock Doves, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Corn Buntings, 5 House Sparrows, 2 Grey Partridges, 15 Skylarks, 30 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Tufted Duck and 4 Coot.
Birds ringed 7: Reed Bunting 3, Robin 1, Dunnock 2, House Sparrow 1.
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Saturday, 30 January 2016
January 30th
We began this morning with a forty minute seawatch at Minnis Bay where we counted 11 Gannets feeding offshore, 1 Great Northern Diver (115th) flying W, 55 Red-throated Divers W, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 380 Cormorants, 1 Fulmar, 55 Dunlin, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Curlews and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.
After this we walked at Brooksend and found 2 Kestrels, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 52 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets prospecting a nest hole, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Merlin (116th), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the farm, 104 Greylag Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harriers, 23 Mute Swans, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 34 Coot and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We began this morning with a forty minute seawatch at Minnis Bay where we counted 11 Gannets feeding offshore, 1 Great Northern Diver (115th) flying W, 55 Red-throated Divers W, 38 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 380 Cormorants, 1 Fulmar, 55 Dunlin, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Curlews and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.
After this we walked at Brooksend and found 2 Kestrels, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 52 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets prospecting a nest hole, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Merlin (116th), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the farm, 104 Greylag Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harriers, 23 Mute Swans, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 34 Coot and 1 Green Woodpecker.
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| Ring-necked Parakeet |
Friday, 29 January 2016
Thursday, 28 January 2016
January 28th
The male Long-eared Owl was heard again calling at Bishopstone at 0330.
We spent a cold but sunny morning ringing at West Brook Valley where we saw 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Sparrowhawk, 38 Rooks, 1 Water Rail, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Bullfinch, 3 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Kestrel.
Birds ringed 9: Chiffchaff 4, Wren 2, Robin 1, Blackbird 2
The male Long-eared Owl was heard again calling at Bishopstone at 0330.
We spent a cold but sunny morning ringing at West Brook Valley where we saw 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Wagtail,1 Sparrowhawk, 38 Rooks, 1 Water Rail, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Bullfinch, 3 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Kestrel.
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| Retrapped Chiffchaff caught at the same site in February 2015 |
Birds ringed 9: Chiffchaff 4, Wren 2, Robin 1, Blackbird 2
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
January 27th
On a foul morning we walked at Reculver and Shuart where there was some shelter from the drizzle and gale force SW wind. We recorded 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Coot, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Stonechat, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shoveler, 1 Water Rail, 1 Fieldfare, 18 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.
At Minnis Bay there was little to see other than 550 Cormorants out on the sandbank with about 20 Seals.
On a foul morning we walked at Reculver and Shuart where there was some shelter from the drizzle and gale force SW wind. We recorded 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Coot, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Stonechat, 60 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shoveler, 1 Water Rail, 1 Fieldfare, 18 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.
At Minnis Bay there was little to see other than 550 Cormorants out on the sandbank with about 20 Seals.
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
Monday, 25 January 2016
January 25th
On a bright and mild morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Kestrel, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Herons, 787 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Mute Swans, 51 Grey Plovers, 78 Oystercatchers, 10 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 11 Lapwings.
On a bright and mild morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Kestrel, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Herons, 787 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Mute Swans, 51 Grey Plovers, 78 Oystercatchers, 10 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 11 Lapwings.
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| Lapwings |
Sunday, 24 January 2016
January 24th
On an overcast but much milder morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Virtually all the local Dark-bellied Brent Geese were in the same field at Coldharbour and an accurate count gave a total of 1,146 birds. Other birds seen included 6 Mute Swans, 72 Cormorants, 88 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 8 Grey Plovers, 9 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 22 Ringed Plovers, 46 Mallard, 32 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
In the evening, at 2000, Matt found a Long-eared Owl sitting in a tree beside Reculver Lane.
On an overcast but much milder morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Virtually all the local Dark-bellied Brent Geese were in the same field at Coldharbour and an accurate count gave a total of 1,146 birds. Other birds seen included 6 Mute Swans, 72 Cormorants, 88 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 8 Grey Plovers, 9 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 22 Ringed Plovers, 46 Mallard, 32 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes.
In the evening, at 2000, Matt found a Long-eared Owl sitting in a tree beside Reculver Lane.
Saturday, 23 January 2016
January 23rd
We spent the morning on the Marsh south of Reculver and saw 186 Cormorants flying N, 15 Yellowhammers, 45 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Mute Swans, 54 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Goldfinches, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 5 Coot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Goldcrest.
We spent the morning on the Marsh south of Reculver and saw 186 Cormorants flying N, 15 Yellowhammers, 45 Corn Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Mute Swans, 54 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Goldfinches, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 5 Coot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Goldcrest.
Friday, 22 January 2016
January 22nd
Matt was out early and began at Minnis Bay where he found 1 Fulmar, 38 Great Crested Grebes, 720 Cormorants, 120 Oystercatchers, 70 Dunlin, 150 Sanderling, 45 Grey Plovers, 2 Gannets, 4 Red-throated Divers, 24 Turnstone, 17 Redshank and 2 Stonechats.
Later at Bishopstone he counted 6 Grey Partridges, 30 Reed Buntings, 22 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Tree Sparrows and 50 Linnets.
We arrived at Shuart later than normal and recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 400 Woodpigeons, 1 Redwing, 2 Common Buzzards, 7 Snipe, 1 female Hen Harrier (114th), 130 Golden Plovers and 105 Greylag Geese.
Matt was out early and began at Minnis Bay where he found 1 Fulmar, 38 Great Crested Grebes, 720 Cormorants, 120 Oystercatchers, 70 Dunlin, 150 Sanderling, 45 Grey Plovers, 2 Gannets, 4 Red-throated Divers, 24 Turnstone, 17 Redshank and 2 Stonechats.
Later at Bishopstone he counted 6 Grey Partridges, 30 Reed Buntings, 22 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Tree Sparrows and 50 Linnets.
We arrived at Shuart later than normal and recorded 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 400 Woodpigeons, 1 Redwing, 2 Common Buzzards, 7 Snipe, 1 female Hen Harrier (114th), 130 Golden Plovers and 105 Greylag Geese.
Thursday, 21 January 2016
January 21st
The day or should I say night started with a big surprise! I awoke at 0300 and heard a male Long-eared Owl (113th) calling 15 or 20 times somewhere behind our back garden at Bishopstone. We have lived here since 1972 and this is the first record and takes our garden total to 141 species.
At a more reasonable hour we met Matt at Reculver and walked to Coldharbour in frosty and calm conditions. We saw 8 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Red-throated Divers, 588 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Mute Swans, 5 Sanderling, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 45 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Herons, 8 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 7 Chaffinches, 54 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Siskin.
The day or should I say night started with a big surprise! I awoke at 0300 and heard a male Long-eared Owl (113th) calling 15 or 20 times somewhere behind our back garden at Bishopstone. We have lived here since 1972 and this is the first record and takes our garden total to 141 species.
At a more reasonable hour we met Matt at Reculver and walked to Coldharbour in frosty and calm conditions. We saw 8 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Red-throated Divers, 588 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Mute Swans, 5 Sanderling, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 45 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Herons, 8 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 7 Chaffinches, 54 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Siskin.
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| Grey Plover |
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
January 20th
We arrived at Minnis Bay at 0800 after another freezing night and counted 9 Common Scoter, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Peregrine, 89 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers and 1 Gannet.
Next we visited Brooksend where we found 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Buzzards, 1 Water Rail, 3 Wigeon (112th), 22 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 30 Coot, 20 Teal, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 36 Mute Swans, 11 Pink-footed Geese, 105 Greylag Geese, 1 Peregrine and 34 Lapwings.
At Reculver we saw 4 Pochard, 8 Tufted Ducks, 15 Gadwall, 4 Coot, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.
This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 1,050 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 45 Golden Plovers, 1 Snipe, 1 Stonechat and 1 Corn Bunting.
We arrived at Minnis Bay at 0800 after another freezing night and counted 9 Common Scoter, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Peregrine, 89 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers and 1 Gannet.
Next we visited Brooksend where we found 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Buzzards, 1 Water Rail, 3 Wigeon (112th), 22 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 30 Coot, 20 Teal, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 36 Mute Swans, 11 Pink-footed Geese, 105 Greylag Geese, 1 Peregrine and 34 Lapwings.
At Reculver we saw 4 Pochard, 8 Tufted Ducks, 15 Gadwall, 4 Coot, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.
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| Pink-footed Geese |
This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 1,050 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 45 Golden Plovers, 1 Snipe, 1 Stonechat and 1 Corn Bunting.
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
January 19th
After a heavy overnight frost on the coldest night so far this winter the morning dawned bright and windless as we arrived at Reculver and walked up to Coldharbour. We recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 217 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Lapwings, 15 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 73 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 34 Mallard, 24 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 4 Little Grebes, 29 Carrion Crows, 32 Linnets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Coot and 1 Chiffchaff.
After a heavy overnight frost on the coldest night so far this winter the morning dawned bright and windless as we arrived at Reculver and walked up to Coldharbour. We recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 217 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Lapwings, 15 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 73 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 34 Mallard, 24 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 4 Little Grebes, 29 Carrion Crows, 32 Linnets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Coot and 1 Chiffchaff.
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| Dark-bellied Brent Goose |
Monday, 18 January 2016
January 18th
On another bright and freezing morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then dropped in at Shuart and Reculver. Birds we saw included 7 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Redwings, 29 Blackbirds, 61 Cormorants, 185 Lapwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Grebes, 24 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 6 Shelduck, 23 Mallard, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 349 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Chaffinches, 24 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 3 Coot and 1 Chiffchaff.
This afternoon we had a walk at Brooksend and saw 76 Lapwings, 8 Chaffinches, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jay, 11 Pink-footed Geese (111th) feeding out on the Marsh, 18 Mute Swans, 40 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Kestrels.
On another bright and freezing morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then dropped in at Shuart and Reculver. Birds we saw included 7 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Redwings, 29 Blackbirds, 61 Cormorants, 185 Lapwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Grebes, 24 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 6 Shelduck, 23 Mallard, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 349 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Chaffinches, 24 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 3 Coot and 1 Chiffchaff.
This afternoon we had a walk at Brooksend and saw 76 Lapwings, 8 Chaffinches, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jay, 11 Pink-footed Geese (111th) feeding out on the Marsh, 18 Mute Swans, 40 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Kestrels.
Sunday, 17 January 2016
January 17th
It was overcast and chilly this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 432 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 830 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Peregrines, one unsuccessfully chasing a Redshank that ditched in the sea, 26 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 11 Goldfinches, 26 Mallard, 21 Oystercatchers, 11 Reed Buntings, 2 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebes, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck and 1 Gadwall.
It was overcast and chilly this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 432 Cormorants, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 830 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Peregrines, one unsuccessfully chasing a Redshank that ditched in the sea, 26 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 11 Goldfinches, 26 Mallard, 21 Oystercatchers, 11 Reed Buntings, 2 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebes, 28 Carrion Crows, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck and 1 Gadwall.
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| A chilly Robin |
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