Wednesday 31 December 2014

December 31st
The last morning of 2014 dawned bright and frosty with virtually no wind. We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 6 Turnstones, 747 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Little Owls, 61 Oystercatchers E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Curlew, 3 Stonechats, 22 Fieldfares, 21 Redshank, 1 Lapwing, 4 Snow Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 14 Carrion Crows, 1 Sanderling, 25 Mute Swans, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Teal and 1 Common Buzzard.

Tuesday 30 December 2014

December 30th
On a beautiful bright morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 598 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Little Owls, 28 Redshank, 8 Snow Buntings, 22 Ringed Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 32 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechats and 2 Sanderling.

Female Stonechat

Monday 29 December 2014

December 29th
On another freezing but bright morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We saw 30 Blackbirds, 35 Golden Plover, 73 Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 35 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 520 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Stonechats, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Lapland Bunting, 14 Skylarks, 63 Carrion Crows, 11 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 4 Oystercatchers, 17 Redshank, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers W, 2 Little Grebes and 16 Chaffinches.

Sunday 28 December 2014

December 28th
Although the sun was shining this morning there was a strong, freezing ENE wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour where I found a smart Lapland Bunting running about on the path. Other birds seen included 20 Blackbirds, 48 Redwings, 26 Fieldfares, 510 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 10 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 54 Carrion Crows, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Stonechat.

Lapland Bunting
Marc Heath as also out this morning and in addition to what we recorded saw 1 Woodcock and 1 Little Owl at Shuart, 8 Chiffchaffs and 1 Grey Wagtail down West Brook Valley and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Reculver.

Saturday 27 December 2014

December 27th
After a stormy night, this morning dawned with a gale force northerly still blowing. Matt spent 90 minutes at the Towers from 0815 and recorded 3 Red-throated Divers, 9 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Skua, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 Guillemot, 1 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (189th), surprisingly the first for the year, and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Friday 26 December 2014

December 26th
It was cold and calm this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and then visited Reculver on our way home. Birds we saw included 55 Linnets, 6 Lapwings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 35 Blackbirds, 68 Redwings, 80 Fieldfares, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Chaffinches, 2 Curlews, 1 Chiffchaff, 510 Dark-bellied Brent Geese 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 22 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 10 Redshank, 8 Snow Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 100 Woodpigeons, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 9 Mute Swans and 10 Mallard.

Snow Buntings

Wednesday 24 December 2014

December 24th
I got a thorough soaking this morning as I walked along the seawall from Reculver and saw very little for my troubles just 438 Brent Geese, 15 Mute Swans, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Curlews 16 Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Redshank and 4 Oystercatchers.
Matt had a quick birdwatch at Reculver before the rain arrived and recorded 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests.

Tuesday 23 December 2014

December 23rd
On a bright but still windy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and then visited Reculver. We saw 64 Fieldfares, 57 Redwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 84 Cormorants, 1 Sparrowhawk, 736 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 120 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 32 Carrion Crows, 6 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 1 Sanderling, 27 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Tufted Ducks, 12 Corn Buntings, 10 Mute Swans and 12 Mallard.

Monday 22 December 2014

December 22nd
On a very windy but mild morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and then along the seawall before visiting Reculver on our drive home. Birds we saw included 38 Fieldfares, 70 Redwings, 600 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Lapwing, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Redshank, 42 Carrion Crows, 11 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats, 92 Cormorants,1 Curlew, 8 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Coot, 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Mallard and 3 Mute Swans.

Sunday 21 December 2014

December 21st
We completed the same walks as yesterday morning from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then at Reculver. We recorded 115 Fieldfares, 70 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 22 Chaffinches, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Redshank, 48 Carrion Crows, 2 Stonechats, 6 Oystercatchers, 10 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Little Grebes, 29 Linnets, 18 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 1 Lapwings, 21 Mute Swans, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Coot.

Moorhen

Saturday 20 December 2014

December 20th
On a sunny but blustery morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 27 Fieldfares, 24 Redwings, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 5 Mute Swans, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 45 Linnets, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 21 Carrion Crows, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Curlew and 8 Corn Buntings.
On our way home we dropped in at Reculver where we found 16 Mute Swans, 18 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 120 Woodpigeons, 10 Tufted Duck and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Today Julian Perry had an early morning walk along the sea wall from Reculver to Coldharbour, then back along the railway embankment. Birds he saw included 8 Mute Swans, 99 Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 50+ Golden Plovers, 27 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 1 Little Owl, 50 Carrion Crows, 8 Blackbirds, 9 Fieldfares, 140 Redwings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtails, 8 Meadow Pipits, 55+ Linnets and 1 Snow Bunting.
Marc Heath saw a Woodcock at Shuart first thing this morning.

Friday 19 December 2014

December 19th
We spent our first half hour at Minnis Bay this morning as the rain cleared through and counted 3 Great Crested Grebes, 31 Red-throated Divers E, 3 Common Scoter, 17 Gannets, 1 Fulmar and 7 Eiders.
We then drove over to Reculver and walked along the seawall towards Coldharbour and saw 26 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels, 10 Mute Swans, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Marsh Harrier, 30 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, 2 Lapwings, 500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine, 7 Wigeon, 1 Rock Pipit and 3 Snow Buntings.
This afternoon a brief visit to Shuart produced 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier and 550 Lapwings.
With the tide going out at Grenham Bay at mid day Terry Wilson saw over a 100 Dunlin and Sanderling, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 50 Grey Plovers, 40 Ringed Plovers, 6 Curlews, 80 Turnstone, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 8 Great Black-backed Gulls, 12 Brent Geese, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Red-throated Divers.

Thursday 18 December 2014

December 18th
On a blustery but very mild morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver at high tide. It was relatively quiet but we did see 43 Cormorants, 6 Mute Swans, 260 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Kestrels, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Turnstones, 4 Stonechats, 14 Lapwings, 23 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 26 Carrion Crows and 2 Ringed Plovers.

Wednesday 17 December 2014

December 17th
We decided to have a change of scenery today and visited the Dungeness area. We had an excellent day seeing a wide range of species including 1 Whooper Swan, 28 Bewick's Swans, 1 Tundra Bean Goose, 1 immature male Scaup, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Cattle Egrets, 3 Great White Egrets, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 third winter Caspian Gull, 5 Goosanders, 1 Firecrest and the Great Grey Shrike at Chilham on the way home. There were also thousands of winter thrushes on Walland Marsh. Back to Reculver tomorrow!

Tuesday 16 December 2014

December 16th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Tree Sparrows, 2 Yellowhammers, 1 Merlin, 7 Fieldfares, 8 Redwings, 1 Water Rail, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 60 Blackbirds, 1 Green Woodpecker, 32 Mute Swans, 3 Marsh Harriers, 19 Corn Buntings, 15 Stock Doves, 6 Greenfinches, 22 Linnets, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 18 Skylarks.

Redwing

This afternoon Matt and Anne walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 270 Cormorants, 400 Brent Geese, 4 Red-throated Divers, 1 Barn Owl, 50 Fieldfares, 100 Redwings and 1 Cetti's Warbler.


Barn Owl

Sunday 14 December 2014

December 14th
On another bright but frosty morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 570 Brent Geese, 45 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, 1 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Kestrels, 3 Shelduck, 24 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Bearded Tit, 8 Mute Swans, 7 Ringed Plovers, 4 Sanderling and 2 Little Owls.

Saturday 13 December 2014

December 13th
On a cold and bright morning we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour with the highlights being 5 Shorelarks briefly on the beach by the Green Wall before flying E and 7 Snow Buntings flying E near Reculver. Other birds we saw included 185 Cormorants, 676 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Stonechats, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Curlew, 4 Turnstones, 1 Kestrel, 5 Ringed Plovers, 43 Carrion Crows, 17 Linnets and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Shorelark

Friday 12 December 2014

December 12th
I only managed a half hour seawatch at Minnis Bay today where I saw 8 Red-throated Divers, 1 Eider, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot and 1 Common Scoter.

Thursday 11 December 2014

December 11th
On a windy morning we walked at Minnis Bay and saw 1 Rock Pipit, 115 Brent Geese, 4 Curlew, 10 Grey Plover, 30 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail and 60 Cormorants.
On the way home Matt stopped off at Reculver and recorded 48 Mute Swans, 4 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 200 Black-headed Gulls.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

December 10th
It was a bright and breezy morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back by way of the railway embankment. We saw 341 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 457 Cormorants, 7 Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 4 Red-throated Diver, 5 Little Grebes, 3 Curlews, 1 Kestrel, 7 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Redshank, 4 Stonechats, 1 Dunlin, 68 Carrion Crows, 13 Snow Buntings, 2 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets, 28 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Corn Buntings and 2 Grey Herons.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

December 9th
On a bright and cold morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. Birds we saw included 25 Blackbirds, 25 Chaffinches, 34 Redwings, 52 Fieldfares, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 502 Brent Geese, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Reed Buntings, 7 Grey Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plovers, 8 Shelduck, 2 Curlews, 2 Stonechats, 14 Snow Buntings, 1 Dunlin, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 26 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 7 Skylarks and 70 Cormorants.
Terry Wilson had a seawatch at Grenham Bay and saw 25 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver and 3 Snow Buntings.
A walk around Shuart this afternoon produced 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 33 Redwings, 8 Fieldfares, 2 Common Buzzards, 31 Mute Swans, 20 Song Thrushes, 2 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 60 Blackbirds and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Monday 8 December 2014

December 8th
Matt had an early morning walk around the Reculver area and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 22 Mallard, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.
He then met us at the Towers and we walked up to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Red-throated Diver, 304 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 488 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Mute Swans, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Turnstone, 58 Redshank, 11 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Snow Buntings, 67 Carrion Crows, 10 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 12 Lapwings, 4 Curlew, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Kestrel.

Sunday 7 December 2014

December 7th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 440 Brent Geese, 56 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Little Grebes, 7 Grey Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 31 Ringed Plovers, 98 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels, 36 Redshank, 37 Carrion Crows, 3 Stonechats, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Mute Swans and 1 Chiffchaff.

Snow Bunting

Saturday 6 December 2014

December 6th
At last a sunny, crisp morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We recorded 66 Cormorants, 32 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings, 10 Chaffinches, 8 Blackbirds, 1 Marsh Harrier, 434 Brent Geese, 4 Stonechats, 73 Carrion Crows, 21 Redshank, 12 Reed Buntings, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Mallard and 1 Grey Wagtail. On out way home we dropped in at Reculver and saw 53 Mute Swans, 10 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 14 Mallard, 6 Coot and 1 Grey Heron.

Friday 5 December 2014

December 5th
It was still cold this morning, but a little bit brighter, as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 336 Brent Geese, 67 Cormorants, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Teal, 12 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Little Egrets, 6 Goldfinches, 16 Snow Buntings, 17 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 3 Kestrels, 6 Shelduck, 86 Carrion Crows, 36 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 14 Mallard, 6 Coot, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Grey Heron.

Thursday 4 December 2014

December 4th
We arrived at Reculver on a grotty and drizzly afternoon and on our walk up to Coldharbour we saw 550 Brent Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 27 Redshank, 5 Grey Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Turnstone, 2 Snow Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 72 Carrion Crows, 6 Cormorants, 8 Linnets, 4 Dunlin and 11 Mute Swans.
Terry Wilson visited Grenham Bay and recorded 5 Snow Buntings, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 40 Dunlin, 20 Sanderlings and 4 Curlews.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

December 3rd
On a very wet morning we decided to have a sheltered seawatch at Minnis Bay and in one and a half hours the birds we saw were mostly flying E. They included 117 Cormorants, 5 Eiders, 20 Common Scoter, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelduck, 7 large auks, 33 Brent Geese, 55 Red-throated Divers, 17 Barnacle Geese, 3 Teal and 4 Kittiwakes.
This afternoon a walk along the seawall from Reculver produced 200 Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat and 19 Snow Buntings.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

December 2nd
On another overcast morning with a fresh northerly wind blowing, an hour at the Towers only produced 11 Common Scoter, 23 Red-throated Diver, 350 Cormorants, 12 Gannets, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 3 large auks.
Later, on a walk at Shuart, Matt saw 40 Fieldfares, 25 Redwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Corn Buntings, 110 Linnets and 2 Green Woodpeckers.
This morning Julian Perry made an early morning circuit round Chambers Wall, Coldharbour, the Green Wall and the Railway Embankment. Birds seen included 34 Brent Geese, 2 Mallards, 5 Grey Partridges, 169 Cormorants flying over towards the sea, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 5 Redshanks, 90+ Carrion Crows, 22 Blackbirds, 100+ Fieldfares, 2 Song Thrushes, 28 Redwings, 3 Chaffinches and 3 Goldfinches.

Monday 1 December 2014

December 1st
With a fresh NE wind blowing this morning we spent a couple of hours seawatching at the Towers. Other than the Brent Geese all birds were flying E. We counted 321 Brent Geese, 44 Red-throated Divers, 3 Kittiwakes, 234 Cormorants, 31 Gannets, 3 Great Skuas, 6 large auks, 5 Common Scoter, 135 Oystercatchers, 1 Teal, 2 Curlew, 3 Grey Plovers and 1 Turnstone.
After this Matt walked inland and recorded 21 Mute Swans, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mallard, 20 Chaffinches, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Bullfinches and 2 Jays.
During the afternoon a walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour produced 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kingfisher, 30 Corn Buntings, 50 Fieldfares and 5 Redwings.