May 28th
After heavy overnight showers it was cool and breezy this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 3 Little Egrets, 2 Whitethroats, 1 immature Common Gull W, 2 Fulmars W, 2 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 7 Linnets, 4 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 House Martins W, 3 Swallows W, 6 Ringed Plovers, 13 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Matt also walked up to Coldharbour earlier than us but then came back along railway embankment and Green Wall and recorded 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Sanderling, 3 Stonechats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Swifts, 4 Gannets W, 10 Shelduck and 1 immature male Eider.
Tuesday, 28 May 2019
Monday, 27 May 2019
May 27th
It was cooler this morning with a chilly westerly breeze blowing as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 10 Linnets, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Skylarks, 3 Little Egrets, 1 House Martin W, 4 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 6 Ringed Plovers, 21 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Sandwich Terns W and 1 immature male Eider.
It was cooler this morning with a chilly westerly breeze blowing as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 10 Linnets, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Skylarks, 3 Little Egrets, 1 House Martin W, 4 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 6 Ringed Plovers, 21 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Sandwich Terns W and 1 immature male Eider.
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| Turnstone |
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| Common Tern |
Sunday, 26 May 2019
May 26th
It was cloudy and humid this morning as we walked around Shuart and then on to the sea. It was very quiet but we did manage to count 1 Jay, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Swallows, 6 Linnets, 8 Reed Warblers and 3 Sedge Warblers.
It was cloudy and humid this morning as we walked around Shuart and then on to the sea. It was very quiet but we did manage to count 1 Jay, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Swallows, 6 Linnets, 8 Reed Warblers and 3 Sedge Warblers.
Saturday, 25 May 2019
May 25th
On a cooler morning with the odd shower about we walked the Chamber's Wall-Coldharbour-Green Wall loop. Birds we saw included 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Tern, 5 Linnets, 12 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Mallard, 2 pairs of Grey Partridges, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Blackcap.
Derek Smith was out between 0500 and 0800 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and on to Shuart before returning via Plumpudding.He counted 10 Little Egrets W, 4 Common Buzzards, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Turtle Doves, 16 Swifts W, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.
On a cooler morning with the odd shower about we walked the Chamber's Wall-Coldharbour-Green Wall loop. Birds we saw included 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Tern, 5 Linnets, 12 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Mallard, 2 pairs of Grey Partridges, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Blackcap.
Derek Smith was out between 0500 and 0800 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and on to Shuart before returning via Plumpudding.He counted 10 Little Egrets W, 4 Common Buzzards, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Turtle Doves, 16 Swifts W, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.
Friday, 24 May 2019
May 24th
On another sunny morning with a cool north breeze blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Swallows, 11 Oystercatchers, 11 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 7 Sand Martins, 5 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 9 Mallard, 14 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Cuckoo. We also found a Clouded Yellow butterfly.
On another sunny morning with a cool north breeze blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Swallows, 11 Oystercatchers, 11 Linnets, 1 Wheatear, 7 Sand Martins, 5 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 9 Mallard, 14 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Cuckoo. We also found a Clouded Yellow butterfly.
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| Clouded Yellow |
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| Rabbit sunning itself |
Thursday, 23 May 2019
May 23rd
It was a warm and sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Linnets, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Tern, 5 Little Egrets, 2 adult Shelduck with 10 young ducklings, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Swift W, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Sanderling, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mallard and 10 Mute Swans.
This afternoon we visited Reculver to count the Sand Martin holes at the colony. There were 169 in use.
It was a warm and sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Linnets, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Tern, 5 Little Egrets, 2 adult Shelduck with 10 young ducklings, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Swift W, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Sanderling, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mallard and 10 Mute Swans.
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| Male Yellow Wagtail |
This afternoon we visited Reculver to count the Sand Martin holes at the colony. There were 169 in use.
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| Sand Martin colony at Reculver |
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
May 22nd - Northern France
We've just got back from a day visit to various sites in Northern France. Having had a very early start we arrived at Calais and drove to Oye Plage before moving on to Romelaire and Foret de Nieppe. The weather was very good and we saw some excellent birds including 1 Black-necked Grebe, 7 Serins, 19 Spoonbills, 5 Icterine Warblers, 1 Cattle Egret, 6 Kentish Plovers, 2 Crested Tits, 2 White Storks, a pair of Honey Buzzards, a pair of Golden Orioles and 11 Short-toed Treecreepers.
We've just got back from a day visit to various sites in Northern France. Having had a very early start we arrived at Calais and drove to Oye Plage before moving on to Romelaire and Foret de Nieppe. The weather was very good and we saw some excellent birds including 1 Black-necked Grebe, 7 Serins, 19 Spoonbills, 5 Icterine Warblers, 1 Cattle Egret, 6 Kentish Plovers, 2 Crested Tits, 2 White Storks, a pair of Honey Buzzards, a pair of Golden Orioles and 11 Short-toed Treecreepers.
Tuesday, 21 May 2019
May 21st
We spent a warm and sunny morning ringing on Reculver Marshes south of the railway line. Ringing was a disappointment but in the five hours we recorded some excellent birds. We saw 2 Kestrels, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Whitethroats, 11 Sand Martins, 1 Cuckoo, 1 female/immature Golden Oriole flying W at 0730 (161st), 1 Blackcap, 1 Mallard, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (162nd), and at 0845 a Black Kite (163rd) drifting slowly S and being harassed by a Carrion Crow. Other birds we counted included 23 Corn Buntings, 5 Common Buzzards, 4 Red Kites W and 1 male Marsh Harrier.
Birds ringed 10: Reed Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 2, Linnet 1, Whitethroat 2, Chaffinch 1, Robin 1.
We spent a warm and sunny morning ringing on Reculver Marshes south of the railway line. Ringing was a disappointment but in the five hours we recorded some excellent birds. We saw 2 Kestrels, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Whitethroats, 11 Sand Martins, 1 Cuckoo, 1 female/immature Golden Oriole flying W at 0730 (161st), 1 Blackcap, 1 Mallard, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (162nd), and at 0845 a Black Kite (163rd) drifting slowly S and being harassed by a Carrion Crow. Other birds we counted included 23 Corn Buntings, 5 Common Buzzards, 4 Red Kites W and 1 male Marsh Harrier.
Birds ringed 10: Reed Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 2, Linnet 1, Whitethroat 2, Chaffinch 1, Robin 1.
Monday, 20 May 2019
May 20th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Shelduck, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Mallard, 1 Jay, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 8 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers.
Birds ringed 22: Long-tailed Tit 8, Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 4, Whitethroat 3, Chaffinch 1, Swallow 1, Dunnock 1.
At 1150 a Red Kite flew W over our garden at Bishopstone and another flew over at 1600.
This afternoon we spent half an hour at Shuart and saw 4 Red Kites moving W, 4 Common Buzzards and 12 Swifts hunting for insects over one of the grass field.
Matt was also out this afternoon and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 6 Red Kites W, 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Gannets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 8 Corn Buntings.
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Shelduck, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Mallard, 1 Jay, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 8 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers.
Birds ringed 22: Long-tailed Tit 8, Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 4, Whitethroat 3, Chaffinch 1, Swallow 1, Dunnock 1.
At 1150 a Red Kite flew W over our garden at Bishopstone and another flew over at 1600.
This afternoon we spent half an hour at Shuart and saw 4 Red Kites moving W, 4 Common Buzzards and 12 Swifts hunting for insects over one of the grass field.
Matt was also out this afternoon and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 6 Red Kites W, 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Gannets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 8 Corn Buntings.
Sunday, 19 May 2019
May 19th
It was quiet and overcast this morning as we completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm. We saw 5 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mallard, 10 Mute Swans, 5 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Swallows, 2 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Terns, 2 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Tufted Duck.
It was quiet and overcast this morning as we completed our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm. We saw 5 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mallard, 10 Mute Swans, 5 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Swallows, 2 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Terns, 2 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Tufted Duck.
Saturday, 18 May 2019
May 18th
The chilly easterly breeze had dropped overnight and it felt much milder as we walked from Shuart to the sea this morning. It was pretty quiet but birds we saw included 3 Cuckoos, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpeckers. 4 Swallows, 2 Mallard, 5 Whitethroats, 7 Reed Warblers, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Linnets, 1 immature male Eider, 4 Sandwich Terns W and 2 Lapwings.
The chilly easterly breeze had dropped overnight and it felt much milder as we walked from Shuart to the sea this morning. It was pretty quiet but birds we saw included 3 Cuckoos, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpeckers. 4 Swallows, 2 Mallard, 5 Whitethroats, 7 Reed Warblers, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Linnets, 1 immature male Eider, 4 Sandwich Terns W and 2 Lapwings.
Friday, 17 May 2019
May 17th
Although there was an overnight change in the weather to overcast and drizzly there was very little change in what was to be seen this morning. We walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gannets E, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Turnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 2 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Tern.
Although there was an overnight change in the weather to overcast and drizzly there was very little change in what was to be seen this morning. We walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and counted 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gannets E, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Turnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 2 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Tern.
Thursday, 16 May 2019
May 16th
On another sunny, late spring morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 8 Whitethroats, 6 Swallows W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 14 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshank and 10 Mute Swans, including a family of 2 adults with 8 cygnets of which 2 were of the "polish morph". Other birds seen were 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Swifts W, 4 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Gannets E, 1 immature male Eider, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap, 4 Corn Buntings and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
On another sunny, late spring morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. We counted 8 Whitethroats, 6 Swallows W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 14 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshank and 10 Mute Swans, including a family of 2 adults with 8 cygnets of which 2 were of the "polish morph". Other birds seen were 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Swifts W, 4 Stonechats, 2 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Gannets E, 1 immature male Eider, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap, 4 Corn Buntings and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
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| Mute Swan family with two "polish morph" cygnets |
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| A pair of Greylag Geese looking for a nest site |
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
May 15th
It was sunny again this morning and the easterly wind had dropped compared to yesterday as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. It's still relatively quiet but we did manage to count 9 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Goldfinches, 10 Swallows W, 1 Common Tern, 11 Mallard, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Greylag Geese, 13 Oystercatchers, 26 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Cuckoo.
During the day 2 Red Kites flew W over our garden at Bishopstone, one at 1200 and one at 1500.
Chris Tedder had a walk from Chamber's Wall to Shuart. Though it was quiet for birds there were good numbers of damselflies and she recorded a lot of Azures, a couple of Blue-tailed and Common Blue, several Red-eyed and a number of Variable Damselflies. She also recorded 8 Hairy Dragonflies and her first Small Heath butterfly of the year.
It was sunny again this morning and the easterly wind had dropped compared to yesterday as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. It's still relatively quiet but we did manage to count 9 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Goldfinches, 10 Swallows W, 1 Common Tern, 11 Mallard, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Greylag Geese, 13 Oystercatchers, 26 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Cuckoo.
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| Sanderling and Turnstone moulting into summer plumage ready to fly north to their breeding grounds |
During the day 2 Red Kites flew W over our garden at Bishopstone, one at 1200 and one at 1500.
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| First year Red Kite |
Chris Tedder had a walk from Chamber's Wall to Shuart. Though it was quiet for birds there were good numbers of damselflies and she recorded a lot of Azures, a couple of Blue-tailed and Common Blue, several Red-eyed and a number of Variable Damselflies. She also recorded 8 Hairy Dragonflies and her first Small Heath butterfly of the year.
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| Variable Damselfly - Chris Tedder |
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
May 14th
On another sunny morning with an easterly breeze blowing we walked up to Coldharbour and back. Birds we counted included 11 Swallows W, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, 10 Linnets, 17 Oystercatchers, 5 Stonechats, 10 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull E, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Marsh Harrier.
On another sunny morning with an easterly breeze blowing we walked up to Coldharbour and back. Birds we counted included 11 Swallows W, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, 10 Linnets, 17 Oystercatchers, 5 Stonechats, 10 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull E, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Marsh Harrier.
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| Ringed Plover |
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| Female Mallard |
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