March 31st
There were few migrants to be seen this morning as I walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons and then inland although there was a steady flow of Black-headed Gulls flying high east. Other birds seen included 9 Goldfinches, 33 Mute Swans, 30 Linnets, 9 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 10 Mallard, 9 Oystercatchers, 1 Swallow W, 3 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 11 Redshank, 58 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes, 11 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coot, 1 Sand Martin. 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Male Reed Bunting

March 30th
After overnight showers and with the sun shining brightly this morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. I saw 10 Mallard, 16 Linnets, 2 Cormorants, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Goldfinches, 12 migrant Song Thrushes taking off from bushes beside the Wantsum and flying W, 9 Skylarks singing, 2 Shelduck, 15 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 14 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 2 Greylag Geese W along the shore, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sanderling, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Swallows W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Lapwings, 11 Chiffchaffs, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Coot, 2 Teal, 1 Gadwall and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Singing Chiffchff

Male Reed Bunting

March 29th
On a sunny but windy morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded a decent range of species including 4 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 12 Sanderling, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Linnets W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Mute Swans, 27 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 2 Wheatears, 7 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Cormorants, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 10 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Swallow W, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal and 3 Sand Martins.

Male Northern Wheatear

March 28th
With Storm Katie battering the area with 60-70 mph winds this morning I rather optimistically tried birding at Reculver but gave up because I could hardly stand up. All I saw were 200 Woodpigeons, 3 Pied Wagtails, 33 Mute Swans, 2 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall and our wintering Blackcap singing in our garden when I reached home.
I later had a text from Terry Wilson to say he had just seen a Swallow flying W at Grenham.

March 27th
On an increasingly windy and very showery morning I visited various sites at Reculver and counted 6 Goldfinches, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Swallow W, 10 Chiffchaffs,  Shelduck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 300 Woodpigeons, 2 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Back at home the wintering Blackcap was again singing in our back garden.

Wintering male Blackcap

Nick Hando and his family were visiting Minnis for Easter and they walked from Minnis Bay to Beresford in a torrential downpour yesterday afternoon. The appalling conditions clearly forced a few tired migrants down, as they saw a male Black Redstart hunting for food on the promende, a Chiffchaff singing from clifftop bushes and a Purple Sandpiper (127th) on one of the groynes with a small party of Turnstones. They also found a few small pieces of amber on the beach.

Amber - Nick Hando

This evening Julian Perry found our first Wheatear (128th) on top of the cliffs between Bishopstone and Reculver.

March 26th
An unpleasant and blustery morning began with the wintering male Blackcap in our garden again. I then visited Reculver and saw 2 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Tufted Ducks, 3 Gadwall and 200 Woodpigeons.
After this I moved on to Chamber's Wall and walked out to a windy Coldharbour and recorded 20 Cormorants, 12 Chaffinches, 12 Mallard, 2 Lapwings displaying, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 28 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers and 6 Linnets. Not very inspiring!

March 25th
After overnight rain the morning gradually became sunnier as we walked around various sites at Reculver. We recorded 20 Chaffinches, 1 immature male Black Redstart singing around the Towers, 38 Mute Swans, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 7 Sanderling, 3 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Mallard, 14 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 4 Ringed Plovers, 35 Redwings, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Green Sandpipers, 400 Woodpigeons, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Gadwall, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Common Buzzard.

Woodpigeon

Micky Baldock had 2 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow at Reculver this afternoon and we had another Red Kite fly over the garden at about 1430.
Also this afternoon Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and counted 3 Red Kites, 16 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Merlin  , 4 Grey Herons, 119 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Sparrowhawks, 4 Chiffchaffs and 4 Cetti's Warblers.

March 24th
As I was eating my breakfast 45 Redwings flew W over our garden and later the wintering male Blackcap was singing.
I met Matt at Reculver at 0800 and we walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons before walking inland. We recorded 25 Fieldfares, 20 Chaffinches, 35 Redwings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 8 Mallard, 9 Shelduck, 7 Pied Wagtails, 13 Oystercatchers, 2 Fulmars, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 23 Redshank, 5 Cormorants, 1 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Dunlin, 77 Golden Plovers, 3 Sand Martins (125th), 3 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl, 1 Peregrine, 500 Woodpigeons, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Siskins W, 3 Common Buzzards circling with 1 Red Kite and 2 Goldcrests.

Fulmar

Derek Smith was also out between 0730 and 1100 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour. Birds he recorded included 6 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 9 Song Thrushes, 37 Blackbirds, 480 Redwings, 220 Fieldfares, 18 Pied Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Black Redstart at the Stables, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Stonechats, 42 Chaffinches W, 2 Siskins W and 1 Yellowhammer W.
Marc Heath also had a Red Kite over Reculver School at 1200.
We managed a quick walk at Shuart this afternoon just before the rain arrived and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Redwings, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Woodcock and 1 Fieldfare.
Anthea Skiffington saw a Swallow (126th) just east of the Towers this morning. She also had 6 Sand Martins over the cliffs towards Bishopstone and the Black Redstart (again, just east of the Towers).
Nick Keem found a Great Northern Diver offshore at Bishopstone.

March 23rd
I started and finished at Reculver this morning and in between walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. It was relatively quiet but I did manage to see 6 Goldfinches, 7 Shelduck, 36 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Mallard, 18 Chaffinches, 38 Cormorants, 21 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 2 Lapwings, 14 Golden Plovers, 8 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swans, 32 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Mallard looking for a nest site

March 22nd
The day started well when Anne heard the male Long-eared Owl calling at about 0400.
It turned out to be a stunning, sunny morning so I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 13 Magpies, including a flock of 11 flying in off the sea over the Towers, 2 Goldfinches, 49 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull, 6 Ringed Plovers, 20 Redshank, 12 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 8 Mallard, 18 Turnstone, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Linnets, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Curlew, 3 Lapwings, 18 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat and 1 Black Redstart on the rocks by the car park.
Earlier Julian Perry found an Avocet (124th) in Coldharbour but it had flown away by the time I arrived.
Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He recorded 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Curlews, 66 Sanderling, 36 Fieldfares, 18 Song Thrushes in bushes beside the seawall and railway embankment, 1 Rock Pipit, 43 Chaffinches W and 7 Corn Buntings.

Black Redstart

March 21st
On a calm morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Greylag Goose, 116 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Little Owl, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Linnets, 10 Mallard, 12 Ringed Plovers, 13 Redshank, 41 Cormorants, 39 Oystercatchers, 7 Shelduck, 2 male Red-breasted Mergansers flying W and then back E, 3 Turnstones, 1 Peregrine and 1 Curlew.

Male Red-breasted Mergansers

March 20th
It was another dull morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 66 Mute Swans, 14 Mallard, 38 Cormorants, 72 Golden Plovers, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Snipe, 33 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Dunlins, 2 Red-throated Divers, 71 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlews, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 99 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Goldfinches, 9 Tufted Ducks and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Little Egret

March 19th
On another dull, overcast and drizzly morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Common Buzzard, 19 Mallard, 16 Cormorants, 224 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Fieldfares, 1 Little Egret, 16 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 45 Linnets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 66 Mute Swans, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Red Kite flying over Brook Farm and on to Bishopstone.

Adult Red Kite in the murk

March 18th
There was a chilly NE wind blowing in drizzle as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 2 Goldfinches, 24 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 75 Golden Plovers, 312 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 1 Woodcock disturbed from bushes on top of the Roman Wall at Reculver, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Ringed Plovers, 11 Mallard, 78 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Dunlin, 2 Curlews, 1 Turnstone, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Rock Pipit.

Redshank

March 17th
On a lovely sunny morning we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding Lagoon and saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Common Scoter E, 38 Oystercatchers, 17 Grey Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 80 Golden Plovers, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 14 Magpies, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Common Buzzard.
This afternoon a walk inland from Reculver produced 1 Jay, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mallard, 4 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Little Egret, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Sparrowhawk.