Monday 30 November 2015

November 30th
The last day of November dawned wet and windy again so we visited the Stour Valley for a change of scenery. On our way home we dropped in at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 126 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Ducks, 6 Coot, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldeneyes, 110 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 4 Goldcrests and 1 Firecrest.

Sunday 29 November 2015

November 29th
This morning we visited some sites in the Reculver area sheltered from the increasingly strong SW wind. We counted 6 Fieldfares, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Kingfisher, 142 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 15 Blackbirds, 292 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 54 Stock Doves, 34 Lapwings, 300 Woodpigeons, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Chaffinches and 8 Goldfinches.

Saturday 28 November 2015

November 28th
Although it was chilly this morning the sun was shining brightly as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland from Reculver. We saw 22 Stock Doves, 329 Cormorants mainly flying inland to the Stour Valley, 19 Redwings, 23 Blackbirds, 6 Fieldfares, 3 Lapwings, 8 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Mute Swans, 42 Golden Plovers, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 113 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Carrion Crows, 62 Oystercatchers, 14 Grey Plovers, 15 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 18 Turnstone, 15 Mallard, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Common Buzzards, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Mistle Thrush, 140 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Immature Cormorant

Friday 27 November 2015

November 27th
On an overcast morning with the tide coming in we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 16 Goldfinches, 257 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Golden Plover, 139 Lapwings W, 48 Cormorants, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Redshank, 89 Linnets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 9 Shelduck, 29 Mallard, 3 Little Grebes and 26 Carrion Crows.

Robin

Whilst we doing this walk Matt walked around Shuart and saw 1 Brambling, 6 Goldcrests, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 50 Blackbirds, 10 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings, 108 Lapwings W, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskins and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
This afternoon at Minnis Bay there were still about 40 Common Scoter, nearly all females, 1 Gannet and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Thursday 26 November 2015

November 26th
At last a calm morning which meant we could go ringing at Shuart where we saw 42 Redwings, 283 Fieldfares W, 60 Blackbirds, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Woodcock, 1 Brambling, 24 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Siskin, 2 Water Rails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Buzzards, 23 Stock Doves, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 66 Lapwings, 20 Song Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 37: Chiffchaff 1, Dunnock 3, Redwing 2, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 26.

Adult Redwing

This afternoon at Minnis Bay we counted 152 Oystercatchers, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 68 Sanderling, 58 Grey Plovers, 78 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 45 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 50 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and 40 Common Scoter.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

November 25th - 200th species for 2015
Matt and I arrived at the Towers as it was getting light and were soon joined by Derek Smith. The wind was not as strong as had been forecast and we only had a trickle of birds moving through. I lasted for three hours and left Matt and Derek at 1015. Most birds were flying W and those seen whilst I was there included 5 Shelduck, 25 Gannets, 167 Cormorants, 110 Herring Gulls, 34 Great Black-backed Gulls, 224 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Northern Diver, 14 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver (200th) seen on three or four occasions, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Curlew, 5 Sanderling, 4 Pintail, 1 distant large auk and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
After his seawatch Matt walked inland and found 6 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 140 Gadwall, 1 Goldeneye and 1 Grey Wagtail.
This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and found 1 Grey Heron, 2Kestrels, 3 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 18 Blackbirds, 6 Grey Partridges, 1 Little Egret, 5 Turnstone, 10 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Grebes and 2 Redshank.
We still have a Coal Tit visiting out garden feeders.

Tuesday 24 November 2015

November 24th
With rain falling for most of the day we didn't go birding until after lunch. At Reculver we saw 120 Gadwall, 17 Mute Swans, 6 Coot, 1 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 45 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 female Goldeneye,1 Water Rail, 1 Teal, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail and 400 Fieldfares.

Monday 23 November 2015

November 23rd
The weather had moderated this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and the sun was shining and there was a light NW breeze blowing. We saw 78 Cormorants, 191 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Turnstone, 13 Redshank, 7 Mute Swans, 4 Sanderling. 54 Lapwings, 7 Shelduck, 42 Ringed Plovers, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Snow Bunting, 12 Chaffinches, 75 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Dunlin, 3 female Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye W, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes, 26 Carrion Crows, 6 Mallard, 1 Little Owl, 3 Gannets E and 1 Redwing.

Snow Bunting

Sunday 22 November 2015

November 22nd
On a sunny but freezing morning with a moderate NW breeze blowing we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 45 Fieldfares W, 57 Lapwings, 48 Common Gulls W, 372 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 87 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 1 Snow Bunting, 76 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 4 Redshank, 9 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 12 Shelduck, 1 Merlin, 1 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 1 red-head Goosander, 4 Common Scoter E, 42 Golden Plovers, 4 Turnstone and 1 Kittiwake.

Juvenile Kittiwake

While we were doing this Derek Smith seawatched from the Tower and birds he counted flying W were 17 Bewick's Swans (199th), 76 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 red-head Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin, 62 Gannets, 4 large auks, 160 Common Gulls, 88 Lapwings and 12 Golden Plovers.
This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Fieldfares, 1 Woodcock, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 84 Gadwall, 10 Mute Swans, 2 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Mallard, 46 Golden Plovers and 320 Lapwings.

Saturday 21 November 2015

November 21st
With a gale force NW wind blowing and the temperature not much above freezing I could only stand a couple of hours seawatching from Minnis Bay this morning before hyperthermia set in! I saw the following birds flying W: 127 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 40 Common Scoter, 5 Kittiwakes, 11 Teal, 14 Shelduck, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Golden Plovers, 5 Mallard, 15 Wigeon, 1 male Velvet Scoter (195th), 1 adult Little Gull and 4 Pintail.
Derek Smith, Marc Heath and Richard Collins seawatched at Reculver between 0800 and 1230 and saw 1,300 Gannets, 400 Kittiwakes, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Goosanders, 10 Little Gulls, 15 Shelduck, 20 Guillemots, 6 Snipe, 1 Mediterranean Gull,  2 Goldeneye (196th) , 1 Pomarine Skua (197th), I Little Auk (198th) and 18 Great Skuas .

Gannets - Richard Collins

Kittiwakes - Richard Collins

Friday 20 November 2015

November 20th
On an overcast morning with light wind we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and out to Chamber's Wall and saw 11 Goldfinches, 519 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 221 Cormorants, 2 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 13 Shelduck, 33 Linnets, 3 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Herons, 12 Common Scoter W, 4 Little Egrets, 17 Mallard, 1 Stonechat, 168 Golden Plovers, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Fieldfare and 2 Corn Buntings.
This afternoon we spent an hour at the Towers and saw 15 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1 Great Skua W, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 1 Shelduck W, 1 Guillemot, 4 Dunlin W, 1 Gannet and 1 Grey Plover.
We then had a walk out on the Marsh and found 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Goldcrest, 20 Mute Swans, 104 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Barn Owl, 6 Grey Partridges, 15 Golden Plovers and Matt also found a female Goosander (194th) swimming along the Wantsum.

Thursday 19 November 2015

November 19th
This morning we again walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 14 Goldfinches, 314 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail, 55 Linnets, 17 Cormorants, 2 Stonechats, 17 Ringed Plovers, 20 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone, 44 Golden Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Shelduck, 2 Curlew, 17 Mallard, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Kingfisher.

Wednesday 18 November 2015

November 18th
After the storm "Barney" had blown through overnight we arrived at Reculver on a bright and breezy morning. We walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and counted 216 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 33 Oystercatchers, 5 Pied Wagtails, 9 Cormorants, 9 Redshank, 125 Linnets, 12 Ringed Plovers, 2 Curlews, 7 Sanderling, 5 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 18 Carrion Crows, 285 Golden Plovers, 20 Mallard, 2 Shelducks, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Skylarks, 3 Gadwall and 12 Meadow Pipits.
This afternoon we walked east along the promenade at Minnis Bay as the tide came in and it was very windy. We saw 136 Oystercatchers, 8 Curlews, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Sanderling, 55 Grey Plovers, 1 Kingfisher, 42 Ringed Plovers, 5 Cormorants, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 76 Turnstones, 37 Redshank, 8 Dunlin and 2 Gannets E.

Tuesday 17 November 2015

November 17th
Yet another mild and blustery morning saw us walking from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then inland at Reculver. We saw 6 Goldcrests, 21 Redwings, 11 Chaffinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Kingfishers, 105 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 25 Cormorants, 33 Linnets, 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Mallard, 42 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 46 Carrion Crows, 9 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 11 Goldfinches, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Golden Plovers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Coot, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Wigeon.
Matt also found a Black Redstart on the rocks at Reculver.

Monday 16 November 2015

November 16th
There was very little change at Reculver this morning - we need a different wind direction and a change in the weather. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home and recorded 1 Kestrel, 12 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 244 Golden Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 21 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 32 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 19 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Buzzard, 180 Stock Doves, 64 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Chiffchaff.

Female Reed Bunting

This afternoon I received information about two birds that we have caught this year. The first was a Belgian ringed Sedge Warbler that we controlled on August 4th which had been ringed at Poperinge, West-Vlanderen on 21st July 2012 and had flown 117 km WSW and the second concerned a juvenile Blackcap we ringed at Reculver on June 28th and was controlled at Nanjizal, Land's End, Cornwall, 506 km WSW, on September 8th.

Sunday 15 November 2015

November 15th
With the wind still blowing strongly from the SW we walked around Shuart this morning and counted 11 Goldcrests, 1 Jay, 17 Mute Swans, 65 Lapwings, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings and 1 Sparrowhawk.
We the had a walk at Reculver where we found a flock of 290 Stock Doves, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff, 68 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 3 Grey Partridges, 2 Teal and 16 Chaffinches.

Saturday 14 November 2015

November 14th
This morning we managed a walk around the Oyster Farm and then inland before the threatened wind and rain arrived. We saw 6 Goldfinches, 199 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Kingfishers, 2 Stonechats, 9 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 16 Cormorants, 80 Linnets, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Pied Wagtails,  Kestrel, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 66 Gadwall, 3 Mallard and 2 Jays.

Friday 13 November 2015

November 13th
On a sunny but cooler morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall and saw 14 Skylarks, 49 Carrion Crows, 6 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Lapwings, 51 Cormorants, 260 Golden Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 3 Redshank, 5 Goldfinches, 35 Mallard, 8 Teal, 47 Oystercatchers, 4 Grey Plovers, 55 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 42 Linnets, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 1 immature Peregrine, 6 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes and 1 Green Sandpiper.

Thursday 12 November 2015

November 12th
This morning started sunny and mild but soon clouded over as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 210 Golden Plover, 19 Cormorants, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Grey Partridges, 14 Redwings, 14 Goldfinches, 18 Wigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting, 10 Blackbirds, 12 Chaffinches, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Stonechats, 9 Mallard, 12 Bearded Tits, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mute Swans, 62 Oystercatchers, 14 Grey Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 5 Turnstones, 23 Linnets, 1 Fieldfare and 2 Yellowhammers.

Bearded Tits

This afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver and recorded 4 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 30 Goldfinches, 168 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 150 Linnets and 1 Curlew.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

November 11th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 27 Meadow Pipits, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 88 Cormorants, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Owl, 6 Turnstone, 7 Redshank, 110 Linnets, 15 Goldfinches, 24 Ringed Plovers, 6 Little Egrets, 33 Oystercatchers, 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 30 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 122 Golden Plovers, 12 Bearded Tits, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Great Crested Grebes

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back via Plumpudding. He saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 70 Lapwings, 46 Grey Plovers, 14 Curlew, 1 Water Rail, 45 Song Thrushes, 30 Redwings, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Bearded Tits (12 at Coldharbour and 4 at Shuart) and 2 Stonechats.

Tuesday 10 November 2015

November 10th
On another very mild and blustery morning we again walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 2 Goldcrests, 13 Goldfinches, 63 Cormorants, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Meadow Pipits, 8 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 1 Gannet E, 13 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 132 Linnets, 19 Brent Geese, 42 Mallard, 37 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Red-throated Diver E and 2 Curlews.

Brent Goose

Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding Lagoon this morning and saw 4 Bearded Tits, 3 Stonechats, 1 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 11 Curlews and 200 Oystercatchers. He also found a late Common Darter.

Monday 9 November 2015

November 9th
On a breezy but still relatively mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. We saw 1 Swallow, 1 Gannet W, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Mute Swans, 57 Cormorants, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 105 Linnets, 2 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Little Egrets, 21 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Redshank, 2 Peregrines, 6 Goldfinches, 5 Little Grebes, 30 Carrion Crows, 1 Mallard, 19 Lapwings W, 11 Golden Plovers, 12 Redwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Corn Buntings and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
This afternoon Julian Perry found 2 Snow Buntings on the beach by the Oyster Farm.

Sunday 8 November 2015

November 8th
On a much more pleasant morning we walked from Shuart to the newly enlarged Plumpudding Lagoon. Birds we saw included 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Goldcrests, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Goldfinches, 12 Redwings, 34 Mute Swans, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Stonechats, 23 Skylarks, 4 Bearded Tits, 1 Dartford Warbler still near Shuart railway crossing, 3 Kestrels, 47 Lapwings, 19 Cormorants, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Pied Wagtails, 16 Ringed Plovers, 14 Turnstone, 85 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlews, 25 House Sparrows and 15 Blackbirds.

Male Chaffinch

This morning Marc Heath saw 1 Firecrest and 4 Tree Sparrows at Bishopstone Lane Car Park.

Saturday 7 November 2015

November 7th
It was exceptionally mild as we arrived at Reculver this morning but there was an increasingly strong SW wind blowing in drizzle. We walked inland from Reculver and counted 8 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Wigeon, 1 male Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 62 Gadwall, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Redwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Fieldfares, 1 Jay and 110 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
A House Martin flew W over our garden this morning.
This morning at Minnis Bay, Terry Wilson counted 25 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plovers, 28 Redshank, 3 Curlews, 80 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Kestrel.

Friday 6 November 2015

November 6th
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with a blustery SW wind blowing and saw 25 Goldfinches, 11 Cormorants, 4 Pied Wagtails, 94 Oystercatchers, 12 Meadow Pipits, 3 Lesser Redpolls W, 14 Redshank, 43 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 1 adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull, 8 Chaffinches, 23 Mallard, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Curlew, 34 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Carrion Crows, 19 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 2 Wigeon, 3 Stonechats, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Kestrel.

Pied Wagtail

Thursday 5 November 2015

November 5th
On a mild but increasingly breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 18 Chaffinches, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 22 Corn Buntings, 19 Blackbirds, 31 Redwings, 17 Skylarks, 38 Lapwings, 10 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers,2 Golden Plovers, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 55 Linnets, 2 Little Egrets, 76 Oystercatchers, 10 Cormorants, 1 Curlew, 1 Teal, 32 Goldfinches, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron and 38 Carrion Crows.

Wednesday 4 November 2015

November 4th
On a mild and showery morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 4 Little Egrets, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 33 Meadow Pipits, 9 Cormorants, 15 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Herons, 93 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 50 Carrion Crows, 91 Linnets, 5 Teal, 30 Mallard, 3 Stonechats, 12 Skylarks, 16 Goldfinches, 2 Little Grebes, 1,600 Starlings, 16 Mute Swans, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Turnstone, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Curlew, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 13 House Sparrows.

Tuesday 3 November 2015

November 3rd
We had a morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Kestrels, 6 Goldfinches, 95 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Song Thrushes, 25 Blackbirds, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 16 Skylarks, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 13 Redwings, 1 Peregrine, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Snipe, 1 Corn Bunting, 5 Siskins, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 14: Wren 1, Blue Tit 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 9, Green Woodpecker 1.

Female Green Woodpecker

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0800 and 1230 and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour and back via Plumpudding. Birds he saw included 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 32 Golden Plovers, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Water Rail, 6 Gadwall, 12 Stock Doves W, 12 Fieldfares, 22 Redwings, 48 Blackbirds, 3 Grey Wagtails E, 6 Stonechats, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dartford Warbler still at Shuart crossing, 9 Goldcrests, 1 Brambling, 6 Redpolls W, 28 Goldfinches W, 1 Tree Sparrow and 4 Corn Buntings
This afternoon we walked along below the cliffs at Minnis Bay as the tide was coming in and saw 1 Kingfisher, 4 Ringed Plovers, 15 Redshank, 46 Oystercatchers, 17 Grey Plovers, 6 Curlew, 77 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 24 Turnstone and 3 Little Egrets.

Little Egret fishing

Kingfisher

Monday 2 November 2015

November 2nd
With thick fog still shrouding the Marsh it was more a matter of birdhearing than birdwatching this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Kingfishers, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 22 Meadow Pipits, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechats, 67 Linnets, 10+ Golden Plovers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Plover, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling and 1 Grey Wagtail.
We also still have at least two "Continental" Coal Tit in our garden at Bishopstone.


Coal Tit

Sunday 1 November 2015

November 1st
A sunny dawn soon turned to thick fog and curtailed our ringing session at Reculver. We managed to see or hear 10 Skylarks, 3 Jays, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Water Rails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 25 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Ducks, 4 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Brambling and 10 Crossbills.

Birds ringed 9: Great Tit 1, Wren 1, Goldcrest 4, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2.

During the day Jim Bloor managed to refind the Great White Egret in the Oyster Farm lagoons.