March 31st

March ended with an overcast morning and a raw easterly wind blowing as we walked at various sites in Reculver. We recorded 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Redshank, 20 Tufted Duck, 14 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 8 Coot, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on the rocks at Reculver, 3 Gannets flying W and 1 Little Egrets.

Greylag Goose

March 30th

At last the wind had dropped and in calm, cloudy conditions we walked out on to the Marsh. Birds we saw included 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Mallard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 34 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 4 Skylarks, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted and 2 Green Woodpeckers, 19 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Gadwall, 1 Willow Warbler singing and 2 Mediterranean Gulls flying E calling.

Male and female Gadwall

Derek Smith was also out this morning at the other end of the Marsh and walked from Shuart along the embankment to the Green Wall and back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose flying E, 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Merlin at Shuart, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 34 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler (138th) and 18 Chiffchaffs.

March 29th

Following the overnight gale this morning was still unpleasantly windy as we walked along the seawall at Reculver. We only recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Linnets, 8 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plovers, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Skylarks.

A pair of Mallard looking for a nest site

March 28th

There was a strong south west wind blowing this morning as we walked inland at Reculver and then spent an hour looking at the sea. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Coot, 1 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver and 2 Little Egrets.

March 27th

After heavy overnight showers this morning dawned bright and windy as Matt walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and the sea wall where he met us. Between us we saw 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Jay, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Redpoll W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Lapwings, 2 Siskins W, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 2 Stonechats, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Corn Bunting, 7 Redshank and 1 Merlin.

Corn Bunting

Distant Short-eared Owl perched on bush

March 26th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Shelduck, 8 Linnets, 10 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Corn Buntings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 23 Turnstone, 2 Coot, 2 Curlew, 1 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 6 Skylarks, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Short-eared Owl hunting in the Oyster Farm.

Grey Heron

 Today I received the ringing information of an adult Great Black-backed Gull that has spent the winter in the Reculver area.. It was ringed at Brennevinsmyra, Mandal, Vest-Agder, NORWAY on 2nd July 2023 and had been seen in the ringing area until 16th July. It was first recorded at Reculver on 4th September 2023 and last recorded on 4th January 2024 and had flown 842 km to reach Reculver.

Adult Great Black-backed Gull

March 25th

There was a chilly south-easterly wind blowing this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mallard, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 49 Turnstone, 3 Shelduck, 2 Coot, 1 Sanderling and 1 Kestrel.

Turnstone

Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and counted 15 Chiffchaffs, 24 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 70 Linnets, 2 Corn Buntings, 5 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Snipe, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Siskin, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Magpies E, 10 Lapwings, 1 Blackcap singing along the embankment, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Marsh Harriers and 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Derek Smith was also out and walked from Shuart, along the railway embankment and on to Coldharbour and as far as Brooksend. He saw 2 Canada Geese E, 1 Greylag Goose E, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Cattle Egret still at Netherhale, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 13 Lapwings, 2 Curlew, 1 Blackcap singing along the embankment, 1 Siskin S and 2 Corn Buntings.

March 24th

On an even cooler and windier morning than yesterday we walked at Reculver and saw 1 Swallow flying W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 11 Tufted Duck, 14 Cormorants, 14 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Gadwall, 4 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Skylarks, 1 Kestrel and 1 Common Buzzard.

Cormorant

Matt was also out and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and recorded 43 Linnets, 16 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 5 Chiffchaffs and 11 Lapwings.

March 23rd

Although the sun was shining brightly this morning there was a very chilly westerly wind blowing as we walked around the Reculver area. We counted 12 Tufted Ducks, 12 Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Gadwall, 6 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warblers singing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Raven, 3 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 5 Great Black-backed Gull.

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw an good range of species including 1 Goldcrest, 190 Meadow Pipits W, 19 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Stonechats, 8 Shelduck, 1 female Merlin, 18 Goldfinches W, 6 Little Egrets, 5 alba Wagtails W, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Curlew, 11 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Bearded Tit, 49 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Sand Martins W, 2 Mandarin (1male and 1 female), 10 Lapwings, 5 Coot, 1 Willow Warbler (137th), 1 Greylag Goose, 7 Siskins W, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Sanderling.

The Willow Warblers we saw today are the earliest ever seen at Reculver, three days earlier than the previous record of one on 26th March 1989.

Grey Seal pup - Matt Hindle

March 22nd

It was dull, cool and overcast with a fresh westerly breeze blowing as we walked along the seawall this morning but there was a small arrival of summer migrants. We recorded 4 Goldfinches, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Pied Wagtails, 23 Linnets, 3 Redshank, 3 Swallows flying W (134th), 2 Little Egrets, 32 Cormorants, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Mallard, 25 Meadow Pipits mostly flying W, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Wheatears (135th), 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sand Martins flying W (136th), 1 Little Grebe and 1 Jay.

Wheatears

Singing Corn Bunting and Wheatear

March 21st

On a quiet morning we walked around at Reculver and recorded 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Coot, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Linnets, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Female Starling

 We have just received information about a first year Sedge Warbler we ringed at Shuart on 1st August 2022. It was controlled five days later on the 6th August at Las Canas, Viana, Navarra, SPAIN and had flown 1,026 km.

March 20th

On a very calm morning with the tide in we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We recorded 19 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Mallard, 5 Skylarks, 5 Redshank, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Meadow Pipits, 30 Linnets, 42 Corn Buntings, 4 singing Chiffchaffs, 13 Oystercatchers, 9 Magpies, 15 Turnstone, 1+ Bearded Tits, 3 Golden Plovers, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 9 Curlew, 7 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck and 1 Little Grebe.

Little Egrets

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart along the embankment and back by way of Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Firecrest, 10 Chiffchaffs, 26 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Stonechat, 1 Siskin, 4 Gadwall, 16 Lapwings, 29 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover flying W, 2 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Little Egrets, 15 Curlew, 8 Canada Geese, 91 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jay and 6 Tufted Duck. He also saw a Holly Blue and Dark-edged Bee-fly.

March 19th

Sunny March mornings can promise more than they deliver and this morning was like that as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Skylarks, 28 Linnets, 5 Chiffchaffs, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 7 Meadow Pipits, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greylag Goose, 8 Goldfinches W, 9 Curlew, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Chaffinches and 2 Common Buzzards.

March 18th

On another mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 6 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 75 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Linnets, 10 Skylarks, 11 Meadow Pipits, 19 Corn Buntings, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit, 44 Carrion Crows, 28 Oystercatchers, 4 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Stonechat and 3 Turnstone.

Meadow Pipit

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 18 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 32 Cetti's Warblers, 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Shelduck, 10 Stonechats, 7 Ringed Plovers, 28 Turnstone, 15 Corn Buntings, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Greylag Geese, 7 Bearded Tits, 30 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Siskin W, 17 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 12 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Brambling W (133rd), 14 Lapwings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Gadwall, 1 Yellowhammer and 2 Marsh Harriers.

March 17th

It was a drizzly morning as we walked around the Reculver area and saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Song Thrush, 11 Cormorants, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Skylarks, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail and 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.