Tuesday 30 June 2015

June 30th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour in warm, sunshine, but were plagued by thousands of pollen beetles. Sunglasses were the order of the day! We saw 63 Starlings W, 4 Goldfinches, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Pied Wagtails, 11 Cormorants, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Owls, 5 Little  Egret, 2 Mallard, 8 Shelduck, 7 Oystercatcher, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 1 Teal and 3 Sandwich Terns W.

Meadow Pipit

On our way home we dropped in at Bishopstone where the Icterine Warbler was singing non stop but only showing occasionally.
On the beach at Reculver we found 2 dead Starry Smooth-hounds.


Starry Smooth-hound

On June 16th I photographed a colour-ringed female Ringed Plover on the beach at Reculver. I have seen  it on a number of occasions since, including this morning. This afternoon I received its ringing details from the BTO. It had been ringed as an adult on 22nd September 2011 at Black Point, Hayling Island, Hampshire, 165 km WSW.




Monday 29 June 2015

June 29th
Derek Smith was at Bishopstone this morning between 0500 and 0700 and had good views of the Icterine Warbler singing in bright sunshine.

Icterine Warbler - Derek Smith

We spent the first part of the morning ringing at Shuart which was extremely quiet. We saw 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Mallard, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Curlew, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Siskin W, 67 Starlings W and 9 Lapwings.

Sunday 28 June 2015

June 28th
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 60 Sand Martins, 12 Blackcaps, 4 Jays, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Tufted Ducks, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Coot, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Lapwings, 1 Red Kite flying W, 1 Siskin W, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Swifts and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

Male Greenfinch

We had a bit of excitement this afternoon when Barry Wright and John Tilbrook, who were visiting the area, found a superb male Icterine Warbler (168th) singing from the trees and bushes between Bishopstone Lane car park and Bishopstone Manor. The bird sang almost continually for over an hour whilst I was there and also gave good views as it pushed its way through the foliage. This is the 8th record of this species for the area.


Icterine Warbler - Barry Wright




Saturday 27 June 2015

June 27th
On yet another beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland. We recorded 7 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 11 Linnets, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Shelduck, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Ringed Plovers, 4 Cormorants, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Common Terns, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls W, 1 hepatic female Cuckoo, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Coot and 20 Sand Martins.

Common Tern

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0500 and 0930 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Chamber's Wall before returning via the Green Wall. He saw 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew E, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Grey Partridges, 42 Starlings W, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 88 Swifts W, 6 Chiffchaffs, 16 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 41 singing Reed Warblers, 28 singing Sedge Warblers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.



Friday 26 June 2015

June 26th
We spent a humid morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 29 Swifts, 1 Green Sandpiper, 16 Lapwings W, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Mallard and 1 Kestrel.

Thursday 25 June 2015

June 25th
On a beautiful summer's morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. It is still relatively quiet but we did see 21 Linnets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, 103 Starlings W, 8 Cormorants, 7 Swifts W, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Swallows W, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 10 Shelduck, 1 Sandwich Tern W, 1 Little Owl and 30 Sand Martins. We also saw our first Clouded Yellow of the year and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

June 24th
On a much more pleasant morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour before making a brief visit to Reculver on the way home. We saw 14 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 14 Linnets, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Cormorants, 10 Ringed Plovers, 7 Oystercatchers, 8 Swallows W, 9 Shelduck, 2 adults with 7 ducklings, 181 Starlings W, 11 Swifts W, 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot and 2 Chiffchaffs.


Shelduck - male with three ducklings and female with four

Tuesday 23 June 2015


June 23rd
On a morning that felt more like autumn than summer we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with a cool, fresh NW wind blowing in off the sea. We didn't see a great deal but birds we did see included 7 Curlew W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 4 Little Egrets, 9 Linnets, 7 Shelduck, 9 Oystercatchers, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Terns, 1 Turnstone and 1 Gannet E.

Little Egret




Monday 22 June 2015

June 22nd
On a cool and drizzly morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 2 Goldfinches, 2 Lapwings W, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Mallard, 4 Cuckoos made up of 3 males and 1 hepatic female, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 19 Linnets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Shelduck, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Cormorants, 1 Common Tern, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Swifts, 30 Sand Martins, 4 Tufted Ducks and 4 Little Grebes.

Yellow Horned Poppy

Sea Holly - the only plant at Reculver

Sunday 21 June 2015

June 21st
We were going to go ringing at Reculver this morning but it proved to be too windy so instead we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour as well as walking inland. Birds we saw included 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Swifts W, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Little Owl, 6 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Linnets, 2 Redshank, 4 Cormorants, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Goldfinches, 7 Curlew W, 4 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Mallard and 2 Ringed Plovers.

Ringed Plover - so far the local dog walkers have missed stepping on its nest

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0500 and 0930 and walked from Shuart to the sea, along the seawall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall and the railway embankment. He recorded 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew E, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Grey Partridges, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 88 Swifts W, 6 Chiffchaffs, 16 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 41 Reed Warblers, 28 Sedge Warblers and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Saturday 20 June 2015

June 20th
This morning we walked from Shuart to the sea and saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Mallard.
Orchids seem to be a bit few and far between this year, although we did find 26 Southern Marsh Orchids we could not find any Bee Orchids and only 5 Pyramidal and 1 Common Spotted Orchid.
We also found 1 Hairy Dragonfly and 1 Black-tailed Skimmer.

Recently fledged Magpie

Later Matt had a Red Kite flying W at May Street.

Friday 19 June 2015

June 19th
We had "an away day" today visiting Bedgebury to see some dragonflies. Although the weather was not perfect there was enough sunshine and shelter to see a pleasing array of species. We counted 3 Emperor Dragonflies, 4 White-legged Damselflies, 11 Large Red Damselflies, 6 Downy Emeralds, 4 Beautiful Demoiselles, 1 Four-spotted Chaser, 1 Black-tailed Skimmer and 5 Red-eyed Damselflies.
On the bird front we saw 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Nuthatches, 2 Siskins, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Coal Tits, 2 Lesser Redpolls and 1 Common Buzzard.
During the day Derek Smith visited Shuart and found a Small Blue butterfly.

Small Blue

Thursday 18 June 2015

June 18th
We spent a breezy morning ringing at Shuart where it was pretty quiet. We saw 6 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Buzzard, 13 Swifts W, 2 Mallard and 1 Kestrel. We also controlled 4 of the 70 Blue Tits that we have ringed this year in the nest boxes we have in the area.
After lunch we had a walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, including 2 chicks, 1 Common Tern, 1 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Linnets, 2 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff. We also saw 1 Emperor Dragonfly and 1 Black-tailed Skimmer.

Black-headed Gull

Wednesday 17 June 2015

June 17th
It was a sunny but quiet morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 2 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Linnets, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Mallard, 6 Mute Swans, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Lapwings W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Tufted Duck and 1 Hobby.

Male Chiffchaff

Tuesday 16 June 2015

June 16th
It was a beautiful summer's morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 9 Linnets, 2 Little Owls, 1 adult and 1 juvenile, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Oystercatchers, 11 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 3 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Ringed Plovers, including a colour-ringed female, 1 Common Tern, 8 Mallard, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Turnstone, 4 Shelduck and 2 Grey Partridges.

Colour-ringed female Ringed Plover

I was pleased when 2 Mediterranean Gulls flew over my garden at Bishopstone at 1100, but I was even more chuffed when 20 minutes later a Bee-eater (167th) flew N over the garden calling repeatedly. This is only the fourth record for the area but also my 140th species for our garden.



Monday 15 June 2015

June 15th
With a blustery wind blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall along the seawall and then inland at Reculver. Birds we saw included 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Tern, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Linnets, 9 Oystercatchers, 9 Mallard, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Shelduck, 1 Mute Swan, 5 Cormorants, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Coot and 20 Sand Martins.

Singing Dunnock

Sunday 14 June 2015

June 14th
On a cloudy morning we walked at Shuart where we recorded 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Jay.

Common Broomrape

Saturday 13 June 2015

June 13th
It was a cooler morning with a fresh SW wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall and round Coldharbour before visiting Reculver on the way home. It was still relatively quiet, as is to be expected at this time of year, but we saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Linnets, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Lapwings W, 107 Swifts W, 6 Mallard, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Cormorants, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Common Tern, 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Herom, 1 House Martin W, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Grebes, 1 male Pochard, 4 Coot and 1 Little Egret.

Black-headed Gull

Friday 12 June 2015

June 12th
We started our walk at Chamber's Wall this morning with light rain falling and finished in bright humid sunshine. We saw 10 Whitethroats, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cormorants, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Linnets, 9 Mallard, 4 Swifts, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Blackcap and 1 Green Woodpecker.

A late Turnstone moulting into breeding plumage

While we did this Matt visited Shuart and saw 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Little Owl.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 11 Gannets, 3 Common Terns and 1 Sandwich Tern this morning.
June 11th
We had a change of scenery and visited Marquenterre and Crecy Forest in Northern France on a breezy but warm day. Highlights of our trip were 4 Cattle Egrets, 3 Black-winged Stilts, 40 White Storks, 135 Spoonbills, 6 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Crested Tits, 2 juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons, 1 Great White Egret, 2 Serins, 6 Melodious Warblers and 2 Short-toed Treecreepers. We also saw good numbers of dragonflies including 2 Scarlet Darters and 1 Scarce Chaser.

Spoonbill

White Stork

Black-necked Grebe

Scarlet Darter

Scarce Chaser

While we were in France Julian Perry was at Shuart where he counted 5 Cuckoos and 1 Grasshopper Warbler.

Wednesday 10 June 2015

June 10th
With no change in the weather from yesterday we didn't expect much as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Reculver but we were very pleased to see a Roseate Tern (166th) flying E between Reculver and Coldharbour. Other birds we saw included 7 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Common Terns, 6 Mallard, 4 Linnets, 11 Ringed Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Ducks, 3 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Gannets E, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Jay, 1 Little Grebe, 20 Sand Martins and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Gannets

Tuesday 9 June 2015

June 9th
There was a strong and cool NE wind blowing in off the sea this morning making conditions unpleasant as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Linnets, 4 Shelduck, 4 Cormorants, 3 Common Terns, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Gannets E, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Mallard and 7 Mute Swans.

Monday 8 June 2015

June 8th
Its was an uneventful morning as I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland. I saw 7 Whitethroats,  Cormorants, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 6 Linnets, 5 Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Gadwall, 7 Oystercatchers, 6 Mallard, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Coot,  Tufted Duck and 1 Chiffchaff. I also saw a few Red-eyed Damselflies.

Sunday 7 June 2015

June 7th
On a beautiful early summer morning we walked around Shuart before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. Birds we saw included 2 Common Buzzards, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cuckoos, 13 Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grasshopper Warbler still reeling near the railway crossing, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Mallard, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Swifts, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Turtle Dove, 11 Mute Swans and 2 Little Grebes.
On the insect front we saw 4 Painted Ladies, 4 Small Heaths, 1 Brown Argus and 2 Hairy Dragonflies.

Grasshopper Warbler

Brown Argus

Saturday 6 June 2015

June 6th
Although it was sunny this morning it was 10°C cooler than yesterday with a cool SW wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland. We saw 11 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Linnets, 3 Swifts W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 House Martins W, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 1 Garden Warbler, 31 Mute Swans, 2 Tufted Duck and 4 Coot.
We also saw a Weasel whilst the hot southerly airflow yesterday had produced a large influx of Painted Lady butterflies with at least 30 on the grass below the seawall at Coldharbour.

Painted Lady

Friday 5 June 2015

June 5th
We managed a walk between two thunderstorms on a muggy morning at Reculver. We walked along the seawall from Reculver through a swarm of Pollen Beetles and recorded 1 Blackcap, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Shelduck, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Little Owl, 5 Cormorants, 4 Mallard, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 female Wheatear, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Linnets, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron and 30 Sand Martins. We also saw 2 Painted Ladies.

A late spring migrant - female Wheatear

Later Matt walked round Shuart and saw 3 Hobbies, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo and 20 Swifts. He also counted 40 Common Blue Damselflies, 1 Hairy and 1 Emperor Dragonfly.



Thursday 4 June 2015

June 4th
We spent a sunny, warm morning at Reculver ringing and saw 9 Blackcaps, including our first juvenile of the year, 40 Sand Martins, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Mallard, 1 Mute Swan, 4 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Swifts, 1 Hobby, 1 Jay and 1 Turtle Dove. We also saw 3 species of dragonfly; Broad-bodied Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly and Banded Demoiselle.

Adult male Kingfisher

Wednesday 3 June 2015

June 3rd
On a bright morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland and counted 11 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Linnets, 10 Cormorants, 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Little Egrets, 4 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 15 Mute Swans, 1 Gadwall, 15 Swifts, 1 Common Tern, 8 House Martins W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Blackcap, 4 Tufted Duck and 1 Grey Heron.

Male Gadwall

Tuesday 2 June 2015

June 2nd
With a southerly gale blowing we walked around various sheltered spots at Reculver and Shuart and recorded 2 Grey Herons, 10 Swifts, 15 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins, 10 House Martins, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Coot, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. At sea there were 14 Sandwich Terns, 4 Shelduck and 1 Common Tern.

Monday 1 June 2015

June 1st
June dawned sunny if a bit windy as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Highlight of the morning was finding 2 Spoonbills (164th), an adult and an immature,  in Coldharbour. They seemed settled but flew a couple of times as cyclist and dog walkers walked along the seawall, but eventually were put up by a runner and flew E and then S over Shuart.
Other birds seen during our walk included 1 Blackcap, 3 Linnets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Redshank, 1 Wheatear, 4 Shelduck, 9 Cormorants, 3 Swifts W, 16 Swallows W, 14 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 9 Mallard, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Gadwall, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl, 3 Common Terns and 1 Turtle Dove.




Adult and immature Spoonbill

Later Matt saw 10 Gannets and 3 Guillemots (165th) fly E at Reculver and this afternoon there was a Spotted Flycatcher in the dead trees near the cafe.