December 30th
On yet another foggy morning we struggled to see or hear much as we walked inland from Reculver, just 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and 1 Green Sandpiper.
Friday, 30 December 2016
Thursday, 29 December 2016
December 29th
On a sunny and frosty morning we parked one car at Shuart and drove the other to Chamber's Wall and then walked back to Shuart along the seawall. The cold weather seemed to have moved one or two birds towards the coast and we saw a good range of species including 5 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 5 Yellowhammers, 41 Fieldfares, 54 Redwings, 76 Mallard, 45 Corn Buntings, 37 Chaffinches, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Mute Swans, 276 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 53 Golden Plovers, 1 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Peregrine, 3 Common Buzzards, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Skylarks, 1 Lapland Bunting, 30 Stock Doves, 2 Little Egrets, 50 Carrion Crows, 96 Oystercatchers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Curlew, 2 Grey Plovers, 3 Stonechats, 2 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Goldcrest.
This afternoon we walked along the promenade at Minnis Bay in bright sunshine and immediately saw an immature Long-tailed Duck flying W. Other birds we counted were 29 Sanderling, including one of which showed an array of colour rings whose origin I hope to discover, 21 Ringed Plovers, 323 Oystercatchers returning from their roost, 23 Turnstone, 125 Dunlin, 9 Grey Plover, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret and 1 Pied Wagtail.
On a sunny and frosty morning we parked one car at Shuart and drove the other to Chamber's Wall and then walked back to Shuart along the seawall. The cold weather seemed to have moved one or two birds towards the coast and we saw a good range of species including 5 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 5 Yellowhammers, 41 Fieldfares, 54 Redwings, 76 Mallard, 45 Corn Buntings, 37 Chaffinches, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Mute Swans, 276 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 53 Golden Plovers, 1 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Peregrine, 3 Common Buzzards, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Skylarks, 1 Lapland Bunting, 30 Stock Doves, 2 Little Egrets, 50 Carrion Crows, 96 Oystercatchers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Curlew, 2 Grey Plovers, 3 Stonechats, 2 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Goldcrest.
This afternoon we walked along the promenade at Minnis Bay in bright sunshine and immediately saw an immature Long-tailed Duck flying W. Other birds we counted were 29 Sanderling, including one of which showed an array of colour rings whose origin I hope to discover, 21 Ringed Plovers, 323 Oystercatchers returning from their roost, 23 Turnstone, 125 Dunlin, 9 Grey Plover, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret and 1 Pied Wagtail.
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| Pied Wagtail |
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
December 28th
After the thick fog and frost of this morning cleared we didn't visit Chamber's Wall until after lunch. We walked around Coldharbour and saw 92 Cormorants, 16 Blackbirds, 35 Redwings, 15 Fieldfares, 39 Corn Buntings, 3 Short-eared Owls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 46 Skylarks, 160 Carrion Crows, 46 Chaffinches, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 86 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pochard, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Tree Sparrows and 20 Reed Buntings. Marc Heath also had 3 Lapland Buntings at the Oyster Farm.
After the thick fog and frost of this morning cleared we didn't visit Chamber's Wall until after lunch. We walked around Coldharbour and saw 92 Cormorants, 16 Blackbirds, 35 Redwings, 15 Fieldfares, 39 Corn Buntings, 3 Short-eared Owls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 46 Skylarks, 160 Carrion Crows, 46 Chaffinches, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank, 2 Stonechats, 86 Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pochard, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Tree Sparrows and 20 Reed Buntings. Marc Heath also had 3 Lapland Buntings at the Oyster Farm.
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| Corn Bunting |
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| Winter plumaged Starling |
Tuesday, 27 December 2016
December 27th
On a stunning winter's morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall and recorded 64 Redwings, 13 Fieldfares, 29 Corn Buntings, 12 Tree Sparrow, 3 Mute Swans, 15 Skylark, 4 Teal, 30 Chaffinches, 160 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 4 Red-throated Divers, 304 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Grey Wagtail.
On a stunning winter's morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall and recorded 64 Redwings, 13 Fieldfares, 29 Corn Buntings, 12 Tree Sparrow, 3 Mute Swans, 15 Skylark, 4 Teal, 30 Chaffinches, 160 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 4 Red-throated Divers, 304 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Monday, 26 December 2016
December 26th
With the sun shining and a fresh WNW wind blowing I thought I would start the morning with a seawatch at Reculver. In the event it was quite disappointing with 70 minutes of watching producing 272 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 915 Cormorants, 41 Red-throated Divers E, 8 Gannets, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot E and 22 Golden Plovers W.
After this we had a short walk inland from Reculver and saw 150 Woodpigeons, 8 Corn Buntings, 25 Mute Swans, 1 Snipe and 1 Water Rail.
With the sun shining and a fresh WNW wind blowing I thought I would start the morning with a seawatch at Reculver. In the event it was quite disappointing with 70 minutes of watching producing 272 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 915 Cormorants, 41 Red-throated Divers E, 8 Gannets, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot E and 22 Golden Plovers W.
After this we had a short walk inland from Reculver and saw 150 Woodpigeons, 8 Corn Buntings, 25 Mute Swans, 1 Snipe and 1 Water Rail.
Sunday, 25 December 2016
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
December 25th
We had an early Christmas morning walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour in mild but blustery conditions and recorded 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Mute Swans, 76 Redwings, 28 Fieldfares, 3 Tree Sparrows, 1 Grey Heron, 60 Skylarks, 118 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 70 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 110 Carrion Crows, 5 Gannets W, 2 Oystercatchers, 64 Cormorants, 7 Lapland Buntings, 2 Peregrines and 20 Chaffinches.
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| Curlews in Coldharbour |
Saturday, 24 December 2016
December 24th
With limited time on a chilly morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall. Birds we saw included 150 Cormorants, 236 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Owl, 3 Ringed Plovers, 54 Redwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Gannets W, 80 Carrion Crows, 1 Eider, 8 Mute Swans, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot W and 1 Grey Plover.
We had walked up to the Green Wall with Marc Heath and when we turned back he carried on and added 3 Red-throated Divers, 4 Shelduck, 2 Razorbills, 2 Lapland Buntings, 40 Skylarks, 40 Corn Buntings, 2 Yellowhammers, 30 Redwings, 5 Tree Sparrows, 1 Water Rail, 2 Stonechats and 1 Chiffchaff.
With limited time on a chilly morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall. Birds we saw included 150 Cormorants, 236 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Owl, 3 Ringed Plovers, 54 Redwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Gannets W, 80 Carrion Crows, 1 Eider, 8 Mute Swans, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot W and 1 Grey Plover.
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| Grey Plover |
We had walked up to the Green Wall with Marc Heath and when we turned back he carried on and added 3 Red-throated Divers, 4 Shelduck, 2 Razorbills, 2 Lapland Buntings, 40 Skylarks, 40 Corn Buntings, 2 Yellowhammers, 30 Redwings, 5 Tree Sparrows, 1 Water Rail, 2 Stonechats and 1 Chiffchaff.
Friday, 23 December 2016
December 23rd
There was a SW breeze blowing this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. The best bird of the morning was a fine male Velvet Scoter sitting on the sea off the Towers before drifting out towards the red buoy. Other birds we saw included 36 Common Scoters, 3 Grey Plovers,107 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 12 Ringed Plovers, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 80 Carrion Crows, 74 Mallard, 20 Mute Swans, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 3 Eider W and 1 Common Buzzard.
There was a SW breeze blowing this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. The best bird of the morning was a fine male Velvet Scoter sitting on the sea off the Towers before drifting out towards the red buoy. Other birds we saw included 36 Common Scoters, 3 Grey Plovers,107 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 12 Ringed Plovers, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 80 Carrion Crows, 74 Mallard, 20 Mute Swans, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 3 Eider W and 1 Common Buzzard.
Thursday, 22 December 2016
December 22nd
Although fog threatened early on this morning it turned out to be sunny and still.
We started at Reculver Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 15 Red-throated Divers, 65 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Rock Pipit, 700 Cormorants, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Stonechats, 140 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 57 Corn Buntings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 25 Chaffinches, 42 Fieldfares, 2 Gadwall, 40 Reed Buntings, 2 Linnets, 17 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 41 Skylarks, 87 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Eider, 60 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel and 1 Black Redstart at the Towers.
Although fog threatened early on this morning it turned out to be sunny and still.
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| View from Coldharbour |
We started at Reculver Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 15 Red-throated Divers, 65 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Rock Pipit, 700 Cormorants, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Stonechats, 140 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 57 Corn Buntings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 25 Chaffinches, 42 Fieldfares, 2 Gadwall, 40 Reed Buntings, 2 Linnets, 17 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 41 Skylarks, 87 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Eider, 60 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel and 1 Black Redstart at the Towers.
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
December 21st
We began at Reculver Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour on a breezy morning and saw 61 Common Scoter, 357 Cormorants, 39 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 large auk E, 1 Sparrowhawk, 42 Redwings, 40 Fieldfares, 29 Corn Buntings, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 22 Skylarks, 280 Carrion Crows, 46 Chaffinches, 83 Mallard, 2 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank and 1 Kestrel.
We began at Reculver Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour on a breezy morning and saw 61 Common Scoter, 357 Cormorants, 39 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 large auk E, 1 Sparrowhawk, 42 Redwings, 40 Fieldfares, 29 Corn Buntings, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 22 Skylarks, 280 Carrion Crows, 46 Chaffinches, 83 Mallard, 2 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, 1 second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank and 1 Kestrel.
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| Second winter Yellow-legged Gull |
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
December 20th
On a slightly brighter morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 140 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 184 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Redshank, 17 Oystercatchers, 20 Mute Swans, 5 Corn Buntings, 2 Shelduck, 160 Carrion Crows, 62 Mallard, 2 Curlews, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 29 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin and 4 Wigeon.
The Cattle Egret was still at Marshside in the field opposite the Pink Barn.
On a slightly brighter morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 140 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 184 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Redshank, 17 Oystercatchers, 20 Mute Swans, 5 Corn Buntings, 2 Shelduck, 160 Carrion Crows, 62 Mallard, 2 Curlews, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 29 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin and 4 Wigeon.
The Cattle Egret was still at Marshside in the field opposite the Pink Barn.
Monday, 19 December 2016
December 19th
On another murky morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour recording 36 Chaffinches, 129 Redwings, 32 Fieldfares, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 73 Mallard, 150 Carrion Crows, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 7 Redshank, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plovers, 55 Corn Buntings, 15 Blackbirds. 1 male Sparrowhawk, 3 Lapwings, 1 Gadwall and 1 Jay.
On our way home we dropped in at Marshside and found the Cattle Egret in the winter wheat field behind the brick pump house along Chitty Lane.
Vic and Sue Parker saw 3 Short-eared Owls at the Oyster Farm today.
On another murky morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour recording 36 Chaffinches, 129 Redwings, 32 Fieldfares, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 73 Mallard, 150 Carrion Crows, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 7 Redshank, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plovers, 55 Corn Buntings, 15 Blackbirds. 1 male Sparrowhawk, 3 Lapwings, 1 Gadwall and 1 Jay.
On our way home we dropped in at Marshside and found the Cattle Egret in the winter wheat field behind the brick pump house along Chitty Lane.
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| Cattle Egret |
Vic and Sue Parker saw 3 Short-eared Owls at the Oyster Farm today.
Sunday, 18 December 2016
December 18th
The threatened fog did not materialise this morning so we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. With the tide a long way out we counted 222 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Redshank, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Plovers, 5 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff at the Towers, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 10 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Partridge, 67 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 110 Carrion Crows, 2 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 21 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Jay.
The threatened fog did not materialise this morning so we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. With the tide a long way out we counted 222 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Redshank, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Plovers, 5 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff at the Towers, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 10 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Partridge, 67 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 110 Carrion Crows, 2 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 21 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Jay.
Saturday, 17 December 2016
December 17th
With fog coming and going this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. We saw 4 Stonechats, 7 Fieldfares, 51 Redwings, 610 Cormorants flying out to sea, 46 Chaffinches, 12 Goldfinches, 21 Mute Swans, 38 Corn Buntings, 45 Skylarks, 101 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 female Sparrowhawk carrying a Fieldfare it had just caught, 23 Reed Buntings, 124 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 210 Carrion Crows, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Lapland Bunting flying over and calling, 6 Linnets and 4 Tree Sparrows.
With fog coming and going this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall. We saw 4 Stonechats, 7 Fieldfares, 51 Redwings, 610 Cormorants flying out to sea, 46 Chaffinches, 12 Goldfinches, 21 Mute Swans, 38 Corn Buntings, 45 Skylarks, 101 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 female Sparrowhawk carrying a Fieldfare it had just caught, 23 Reed Buntings, 124 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 210 Carrion Crows, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Lapland Bunting flying over and calling, 6 Linnets and 4 Tree Sparrows.
Friday, 16 December 2016
December 16th
It was quiet and overcast as we spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Golden Plovers, 50 Redwings, 60 Blackbirds, 19 Corn Buntings, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Raven flying W, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Partridge, 80 Fieldfares and 1 Marsh Harrier.
Birds ringed 35: Wren 1, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 2, Greenfinch 1, Redwing 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 27.
This afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 115 Cormorants, 61 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black Redstart at the car park and Towers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Redshank, 43 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Stonechats, 33 Golden Plovers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 70 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff and 200 Carrion Crows.
It was quiet and overcast as we spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Golden Plovers, 50 Redwings, 60 Blackbirds, 19 Corn Buntings, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Raven flying W, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Partridge, 80 Fieldfares and 1 Marsh Harrier.
Birds ringed 35: Wren 1, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 2, Greenfinch 1, Redwing 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 27.
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| Male Reed Bunting |
This afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 115 Cormorants, 61 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black Redstart at the car park and Towers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Redshank, 43 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Stonechats, 33 Golden Plovers, 1 Short-eared Owl, 70 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff and 200 Carrion Crows.
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