March 31st

The weather had changed over night and although it was sunny this morning it was cold and there was a strong NE wind blowing so more in hope than expectation I spent an hour and a half seawatching at Reculver. My reward was a stunning summer plumage Black-necked Grebe (134th) that landed about 50 metres offshore at the car park for a couple of minutes, glowing in the sun, before it flew E at 0915. Other birds I counted were 2 Gannets, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers E, 500 Herring Gulls W, 62 Black-headed Gulls E, 19 Common Gulls W, 2 Shelduck E, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E and 1 immature Kittiwake E.

March 30th

This morning was damp and overcast and uneventful as I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. I counted 4 Mallard, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 17 Linnets, 23 Corn Buntings, 25 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 2 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 6 Common Gulls, 2 Stonechats, 1 Little Egret and 2 Pied Wagtails.

March 29th

On a chilly and murky morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 21 Chaffinches, 22 Linnets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Goldfinches, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Coot, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Redshank, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E, 2 Oystercatchers, 76 Turnstone, 75 Corn Buntings, 1 Dunlin and 1 Kestrel.

Anthea Skiffington and Bob Dewire walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back this morning. They counted 164 Sanderling, 74 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 70+ Corn Buntings, 1 Red Kite at the Oyster Farm and 1 male Wheatear at Coldharbour.

This afternoon at Reculver we saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 2 Coot, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Shelduck and 2 Green Sandpipers.

March 28th

For the last week or so the Environment Agency has been working on the beach between Reculver and Minnis Bay to repair winter storm damage. Apparently they intend to finish this work by the end of Wednesday. 

 This morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then back along the Green Wall. Birds I saw included 11 Chaffinches, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Kestrel, 37 Linnets, 17 Mallard, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Swallow at the Chamber's Wall crossing (132nd), 84 Corn Buntings, 4 Coot, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Turnstone, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Redwing.

Also this morning, Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and counted 1 Stonechat, 1 Merlin, 100 Sanderling, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Curlew, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 40 Turnstone, 1 Sandwich Tern (133rd), 1 Gannet and 12 Shelduck.

March 27th

This morning began misty and drizzly with a cool NE breeze blowing as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds I saw included 10 Mute Swans, 6 Goldfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Skylarks, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Coot, 5 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 18 Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe and 5 Dunlin.

March 26th

On a sunny morning with a light E wind Matt walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall where I met him and then we walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Chiffchaffs, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 adults and 2 juveniles, 1 Kestrel, 23 Mallard and 2 Ravens at the Towers. We also counted 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Redshank, 53 Corn Buntings, 1 Red throated Diver E, 8 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 24 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Magpies, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls E, 85 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 1 Gannet E, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 2 Mediterranean Gulls E, 36 Linnets, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Red Kite flying W along the seawall, 6 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Coot, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Redwings and 6 Fieldfares.

Raven on Reculver Towers - Matt Hindle

 Marc Heath was also out between 0545 and 0945 walking from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He recorded 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Pied Wagtails, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Stock Doves, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Curlew, 6 Shelduck, 35 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 25 Linnets, 21 adult Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Snipe, 5 Reed Buntings, 15 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Skylarks, 15 Corn Buntings, 20 Redshank, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Dunlin, 200 Sanderling, 2 Stonechats, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Wagtail, 40 Magpies E in small groups 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Gannet E and 1 Red Kite W.

March 25th

On a very foggy morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back to Chamber's Wall where I met him and then we both walked back to Reculver. We struggled to see anything but managed 9 Redwings, 1 adult male Black Redstart at the Towers, 13 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 55 Corn Buntings, 2 Goldfinches, 14 Linnets, 6 Chaffinches, 4 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Stonechat and 2 Great Crested Grebes with young. 

We had a call from Matt at about 1100 to say that he had found a male Garganey (131st) at Brooksend. We drove over and after about 15 minutes managed to see it and in addition 2 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Greenfinches, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Red Kite.

At lunchtime single Red Kites also flew over Bishopstone and Hillborough.

March 24th

I arrived at Reculver with the sun shining brightly again and walked around the Towers. After this I visited Chamber's Wall with a view to taking a walk out to Coldharbour but half way along the track the sea fog rolled in so I decided to go back and have a look at Shuart where it was less foggy. The morning started well with 2 Black Redstarts at the Towers including a very smart male. Other birds I recorded included 2 Little Egrets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 9 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Chffchaffs, 2 Pied Wagtails, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Mallard, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Goldfinches, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 48 Corn Buntings, 3 Redshank, 2 Coot, 1 Stonechat and 14 Tufted Duck.

Female Tufted Duck

March 23rd

On another beautiful morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm lagoons and it was relatively quiet with the only summer visitor a Chiffchaff singing at the car park. Other birds I saw included 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Chaffinches, 12 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard, 4 Song Thrushes, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Kestrels, 4 Coot, 53 Corn Buntings, 5 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Curlew, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flying E and calling, 4 Ringed Plovers, 14 Linnets, 1 male rubicola type Stonechat, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Little Egret.

As we left the house after lunch an adult Red Kite flew W over our house. At Reculver we saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Green Sandpipers.

March 22nd

On a warm and sunny spring morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm lagoons. Birds I saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 13 Goldfinches, 13 Linnets, 16 Chaffinches, 12 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Coot, 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 110 Corn Buntings, 1 Curlew, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck 1 male Wheatear at the Wantsum outflow (130th) and 12 Mute Swans.

Male Wheatear

March 21st

On a sunny morning with the tide a long way out I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Redshank, 14 Mallard, 3 Stonechats, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 48 Corn Buntings, 4 Coot, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldfinches, 31 Turnstone and 1 Black Redstart on the Towers.

Black-headed Gulls pairing up

Corn Buntings

March 20th

Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment where I met him and we then walked to Coldharbour before I walked back to Chamber's Wall along the Green Wall and he returned to Reculver. Between us we saw 1 Curlew, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 female Pintail, 4 Snipe, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Coot 10, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 96 Corn Buntings, 25 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Lapwings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff , 67 Stock Doves, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Shelduck and 5 Yellowhammers.

March 19th

There was a fresh and chilly east wind blowing on a sunny morning as Matt walked from Shuart to Brooksend, Plumpudding and then on to Coldharbour where I met him. Birds we saw included 9 Redwings, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Greenfinches, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 male Firecrest singing, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Siskins W, 1 Brambling, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Jay, 15 Coot, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Mallard, 21 Mute Swans, 1 female Peregrine, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 500 Herring Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Curlew, 5 Coot, 4 Redshank, 1 Gannet E, 19 Turnstone, 1 Fulmar E and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

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March 18th

Matt and I completed the same walks as yesterday and counted 3 Kestrel, 3 Rock Pipits W, 5 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron 1, 1 Grey Wagtail, 82 Corn Buntings, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Little Egret, 13 Coot, 15 Brent Geese, 2 Curlew, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Jackdaws N, 1 Greenfinch, 33 Mute Swans, 3 Lapwings, 1 Redwing, 19 Pied Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Brambling, 18 Chaffinches W, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Skylarks, 58 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Song Thrushes, 7 Yellowhammers and 2 Red-legged Partridges.

 March 17th

On a sunny morning with a chilly NW breeze blowng Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall where I met him. We then walked to Coldharbour after which I walked along the Green Wall and back to Chamber's Wall. Between us we saw 17 Corn Buntings, 2 Shelduck, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Curlew, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 White Wagtail including 1 on the seawall singing, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Pied Wagtails, 2 Marsh Harriers, 33 Mute Swans, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Lapwings, 1 Little Ringed Plover on a flooded field (129th), 3 Bramblings, 4 Redwings, 8 Coot, 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Siskins,9 Mallard, 46 Golden Plovers, 4 Yellowhammers and 3 Tree Sparrows.

Little Ringed Plover - Matt Hindle

 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Chamber's Wall and back along the embankment and recorded 2 Little Grebes, 64 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Siskins W, 7 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs. He also saw Brimstone and Comma butterflies at Shuart.

This afternoon we had a walk inland at Reculver and saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 1 Redwing, 1 Jay, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Green Sandpipers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Also this afternoon Marc Heath had 1 Black Redstart and 2 Ravens flying W at Hillborough.