February 29th
This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back by way of the railway and the Green Wall. He saw 1 Red-throated Diver, 10 Sanderling, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Ringed Plovers, 32 Redshank, 111 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 172 Golden Plovers, 22 Mallard, 510 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 30 Carrion Crows, 6 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Wigeon, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 57 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck and 1 Little Egret.
Monday, 29 February 2016
Sunday, 28 February 2016
February 28th
With a cold NE wind still blowing this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 10 Chaffinches, 45 Golden Plovers, 12 Mallard, 14 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret, 72 Oystercatchers, 380 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Carrion Crows, 8 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Snipe.
On the way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and added 1 Jay, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Goldfinches, 5 Tufted Duck and 1 Green Sandpiper.
A half hour seawatch from Minnis Bay this afternoon produced 3 Gannets E, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull E, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 16 Cormorants.
Also this afternoon David Barnes visited Bishopstone and recorded 1 Peregrine, 1 Chiffchaff and a female Blackcap.
With a cold NE wind still blowing this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 10 Chaffinches, 45 Golden Plovers, 12 Mallard, 14 Cormorants, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret, 72 Oystercatchers, 380 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Carrion Crows, 8 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Snipe.
On the way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and added 1 Jay, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Goldfinches, 5 Tufted Duck and 1 Green Sandpiper.
A half hour seawatch from Minnis Bay this afternoon produced 3 Gannets E, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull E, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 16 Cormorants.
Also this afternoon David Barnes visited Bishopstone and recorded 1 Peregrine, 1 Chiffchaff and a female Blackcap.
Saturday, 27 February 2016
February 27th
With a cold east wind blowing we walked around various sites at Shuart and Reculver this morning. Birds we saw included 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe, 14 Chaffinches, 33 Mute Swans, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Linnets, 1 Jay, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Siskins, 4 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Kestrel and 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
During the day at Bishopstone we had the male Blackcap in our garden and Julian Perry saw the female in his.
With a cold east wind blowing we walked around various sites at Shuart and Reculver this morning. Birds we saw included 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe, 14 Chaffinches, 33 Mute Swans, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Linnets, 1 Jay, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Siskins, 4 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Kestrel and 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
During the day at Bishopstone we had the male Blackcap in our garden and Julian Perry saw the female in his.
Friday, 26 February 2016
Thursday, 25 February 2016
February 25th
It was another bright but cold morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 830 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 9 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 74 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 1 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swans, 64 Golden Plovers and 1 Bearded Tit.
On the way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and added 28 Mute Swans, 18 Greylag Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Mallard, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Common Buzzard.
It was another bright but cold morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 830 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 9 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 74 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 1 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swans, 64 Golden Plovers and 1 Bearded Tit.
On the way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and added 28 Mute Swans, 18 Greylag Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Mallard, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Common Buzzard.
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
February 24th
On a stunning late winter morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1,090 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 57 Oystercatchers, 20 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Turnstone, 28 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Pintail, 6 Shelduck, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 30 Grey Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Gadwall, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Snipe, 1 Stonechat and 1 Grey Wagtail.
At 1110 we had 2 Red Kites (122nd) fly west over our garden at Bishopstone. No doubt the first of many.
On a stunning late winter morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1,090 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 57 Oystercatchers, 20 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Turnstone, 28 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Pintail, 6 Shelduck, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 30 Grey Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Gadwall, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Snipe, 1 Stonechat and 1 Grey Wagtail.
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| Pintail male and female |
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| Dark-bellied Brent Geese |
At 1110 we had 2 Red Kites (122nd) fly west over our garden at Bishopstone. No doubt the first of many.
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
February 23rd
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 1,068 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 198 Herring Gulls W, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 10 Meadow Pipits, 72 Oystercatchers, 19 Redshank, 35 Mallard, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Pintail W (121st), 1 Golden Plover, 11 Cormorants, 2 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine.
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 1,068 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 198 Herring Gulls W, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 10 Meadow Pipits, 72 Oystercatchers, 19 Redshank, 35 Mallard, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Pintail W (121st), 1 Golden Plover, 11 Cormorants, 2 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine.
Monday, 22 February 2016
February 22nd
A brief visit to Minnis Bay this morning in persistent drizzle and a longer walk this afternoon in improved weather produced 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Curlews, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 101 Dunlin, 11 Grey Plovers, 32 Turnstones, 15 Cormorants, 110 Oystercatchers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Redshank, 3 Sanderling and 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull (120th).
Julian Perry again had a male and female Blackcap in his garden at Bishopstone today.
A brief visit to Minnis Bay this morning in persistent drizzle and a longer walk this afternoon in improved weather produced 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Curlews, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 101 Dunlin, 11 Grey Plovers, 32 Turnstones, 15 Cormorants, 110 Oystercatchers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Redshank, 3 Sanderling and 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull (120th).
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| First winter Yellow-legged Gull |
Julian Perry again had a male and female Blackcap in his garden at Bishopstone today.
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| Male Blackcap |
Sunday, 21 February 2016
Saturday, 20 February 2016
February 20th
On a milder but overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 43 Cormorants, 30 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Corn Bunting, 34 Mallard, 58 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Grey Plovers, 9 Redshank, 156 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Turnstone, 16 Blackbirds and 1 Marsh Harrier.
On our way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and recorded 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 22 Mute Swans, 2 Goldcrests, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Tufted Ducks, 5 Gadwall and 1 Green Sandpiper.
On a milder but overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 43 Cormorants, 30 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Corn Bunting, 34 Mallard, 58 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Grey Plovers, 9 Redshank, 156 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Turnstone, 16 Blackbirds and 1 Marsh Harrier.
On our way home we visited Shuart and Reculver and recorded 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 22 Mute Swans, 2 Goldcrests, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Tufted Ducks, 5 Gadwall and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Friday, 19 February 2016
February 19th
On a beautiful, cold and sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 504 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 43 Cormorants, 11 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Owl, 21 Ringed Plovers, 26 Redshank, 46 Mallard, 4 Corn Buntings, 15 Oystercatchers, 29 Carrion Crows, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Stonechats, 1 Turnstone and 5 Goldfinches.
On a beautiful, cold and sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 504 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 43 Cormorants, 11 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Owl, 21 Ringed Plovers, 26 Redshank, 46 Mallard, 4 Corn Buntings, 15 Oystercatchers, 29 Carrion Crows, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Stonechats, 1 Turnstone and 5 Goldfinches.
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| Male Starling |
Thursday, 18 February 2016
February 18th
On an unpleasant, cold and rainy morning we made brief visits to Minnis Bay, Shuart and Reculver and recorded 630 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, Coot, 1 Little Grebe and 2 Jays.
On an unpleasant, cold and rainy morning we made brief visits to Minnis Bay, Shuart and Reculver and recorded 630 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, Coot, 1 Little Grebe and 2 Jays.
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
February 17th
On a glorious, frosty winter's morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Our highlight, although not a native species, was 3 Black Swans in Coldharbour which were very flighty and soon took off and flew towards Pegwell Bay. Black Swans originate from Australia and have escaped from collections and are breeding in dozens of sites across the country. The population has doubled and breeding figures tripled in the last few years. In fact it has increased at such a rate the population may be considered to be self-sustaining and the species could be added to the British list in the not too distant future.
Other birds seen this morning included 144 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Lapwings, 17 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 7 Ringed Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, 5 Mute Swans, 28 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 11 Reed Buntings, 24 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 17 Oystercatchers, 32 Corn Buntings, 4 Turnstone, 3 Skylarks, 48 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 57 Golden Plovers and 1 Peregrine.
On a glorious, frosty winter's morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Our highlight, although not a native species, was 3 Black Swans in Coldharbour which were very flighty and soon took off and flew towards Pegwell Bay. Black Swans originate from Australia and have escaped from collections and are breeding in dozens of sites across the country. The population has doubled and breeding figures tripled in the last few years. In fact it has increased at such a rate the population may be considered to be self-sustaining and the species could be added to the British list in the not too distant future.
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| Black Swans |
Other birds seen this morning included 144 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Lapwings, 17 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 7 Ringed Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, 5 Mute Swans, 28 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 11 Reed Buntings, 24 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 17 Oystercatchers, 32 Corn Buntings, 4 Turnstone, 3 Skylarks, 48 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 57 Golden Plovers and 1 Peregrine.
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
February 16th
We had intended to go ringing at Reculver this morning but the fog put an end to that so we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with visibility down to about 50 metres. We managed to see or hear 3 Yellowhammers, 6 Reed Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 20 Linnets, 26 Stock Doves, 150 Woodpigeons, 1 Kestrel, 23 House Sparrows, 15 Meadow Pipits, 10 Redshank, 10 Mute Swans, 4 Turnstone, 177 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers and 5 Goldfinches.
We had intended to go ringing at Reculver this morning but the fog put an end to that so we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with visibility down to about 50 metres. We managed to see or hear 3 Yellowhammers, 6 Reed Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard, 20 Linnets, 26 Stock Doves, 150 Woodpigeons, 1 Kestrel, 23 House Sparrows, 15 Meadow Pipits, 10 Redshank, 10 Mute Swans, 4 Turnstone, 177 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers and 5 Goldfinches.
Monday, 15 February 2016
February 15th
Matt visited Reculver this morning and saw 9 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Siskins, 9 Tufted Ducks, 8 Mallard, 3 Coot, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Goldcrests.
At Shuart he found 1 Woodcock, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Common Buzzards, 80 Greylag Geese and 1 Marsh Harrier.
I received an email from Mike Roser who visted Reculver later this morning and wrote "1050-1115 watched a Little Auk (119th) from the Reculver Towers car-park. It was close to shoreline on the receding tide. The bird was constantly diving to evade the marauding gulls. On one occasion it surfaced close to an immature Herring Gull which grabbed the auk only to drop it back into the sea as the gull gained height. The gulls appeared to lose interest and the last time I saw the auk it was drifting west on the lumpy tide."
We didn't manage to get out until this afternoon and visited Shuart where we saw at least 1 Woodcock, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Goldfinches, 56 Lapwings and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
At Minnis Bay we saw a Fulmar and 80 Cormorants.
This afternoon Charlie Vint had a sick looking Guillemot on the sea at Reculver.
Matt visited Reculver this morning and saw 9 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Siskins, 9 Tufted Ducks, 8 Mallard, 3 Coot, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Goldcrests.
At Shuart he found 1 Woodcock, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Common Buzzards, 80 Greylag Geese and 1 Marsh Harrier.
I received an email from Mike Roser who visted Reculver later this morning and wrote "1050-1115 watched a Little Auk (119th) from the Reculver Towers car-park. It was close to shoreline on the receding tide. The bird was constantly diving to evade the marauding gulls. On one occasion it surfaced close to an immature Herring Gull which grabbed the auk only to drop it back into the sea as the gull gained height. The gulls appeared to lose interest and the last time I saw the auk it was drifting west on the lumpy tide."
We didn't manage to get out until this afternoon and visited Shuart where we saw at least 1 Woodcock, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Goldfinches, 56 Lapwings and 2 Mistle Thrushes.
At Minnis Bay we saw a Fulmar and 80 Cormorants.
This afternoon Charlie Vint had a sick looking Guillemot on the sea at Reculver.
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