Thursday 31 December 2015

December 31st
The final morning of 2015 was bright and breezy as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall. We saw 1 Kestrel, 34 Redwings, 16 Blackbirds, 18 Fieldfares, 8 Goldfinches, 11 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Curlews, 397 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 38 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck, 17 Mallard, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Teal, 1 Stonechat, 35 Carrion Crows and 2 Sanderling.
A relatively low total of 200 species was seen in the Reculver recording area this year, better than last year but lower than the preceding nine years.

Wednesday 30 December 2015

December 30th
On a blustery morning we walked inland from Reculver and saw 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Mallard, 6 Coot, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Water Rail, 1 Siskin, 2 Jays, 2 Mistle Thrushes and 6 Lapwings.
At Minnis Bay the tide was miles out and there was little to see except for 34 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 400 Cormorants on the distant sandbanks where there were also at least 60 mainly Grey Seals.
Matt spent a short time at the Towers this morning and saw 6 Gannets and 1 Great Skua.

Tuesday 29 December 2015

December 29th
On another pleasant morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with Marc Heath. We saw 332 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Gannet E, 11 Mute Swans, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Redshank, 35 Linnets, 32 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 12 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Monday 28 December 2015

December 28th
On a pleasant, sunny morning we walked around the Shuart area and along the railway embankment and recorded 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 singing Cetti's Warblers, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 32 Mute Swans, 78 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 380 Cormorants flying out to sea, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 16 Goldfinches, 2 Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Kestrel.

Sunday 27 December 2015

December 27th
The unseasonal weather continues as this morning we walked inland at Reculver. We managed to see 3 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Coot, 1 Pochard, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Jay, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Redwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Little Egret.

Saturday 26 December 2015

December 26th
On yet another mild but blustery morning we walked around the Shuart area and saw 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 16 Chaffinches, 7 Mute Swans, 12 Goldfinches, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 18 Blackbirds and 1 Fieldfare.
Later all we saw at Minnis Bay were 3 adult Gannets flying W close inshore. In addition Terry Wilson had a Peregrine chasing the waders along the shore.

Friday 25 December 2015

December 25th
This morning I managed a quick early morning walk at Reculver and saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Chiffchaff, 68 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Coot, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Mallard, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Teal, 1 Redwing, 1 Kestrel and 1 Pied Wagtail.
December 24th

We wish all readers of the Reculver Birding blog a
Happy Christmas

Wednesday 23 December 2015

December 23rd
On a pleasant winter morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. Birds we saw included 359 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Redshank, 24 Great Black-backed Gulls, 24 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 17 Mute Swans, 20 Mallard, 3 Red-throated Divers, 21 Carrion Crows, 70 Cormorants, 1 Oystercatcher, 65 Linnets, 1 Short-eared Owl, 14 Reed Buntings, 10 Chaffinches, 2 Stonechats, 65 Golden Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 135 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck and 6 Coot.
Marc Heath also found 5 Tree Sparrows near Bishopstone Lane car park.

Tree Sparrow - Marc Heath

Tuesday 22 December 2015

December 22nd
It was a foul day today with a gale force SW wind blowing in rain and drizzle. We didn't venture out until after lunch when we found 144 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Teal and 2 Mistle Thrushes. At least the weather is supposed to improve tomorrow.

Monday 21 December 2015

December 21st
After overnight rain, this morning dawned bright and breezy as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 35 Great Black-backed Gulls including a juvenile with a colour ring, 22 Mute Swans, 357 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Ringed Plovers, 13 Grey Partridges, 1 Stonechat, 35 Linnets, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Red-throated Diver, 12 Sanderling, 41 Carrion Crows, 74 Oystercatchers and 1 Lapland Bunting flying E towards Coldharbour calling loudly.

Juvenile Great Black-backed Gull with black colour ring 17738

Sunday 20 December 2015

December 20th
We walked around Shuart this morning and saw 29 Cormorants, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 34 Mute Swans, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Lapwings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 1 Red-legged Partridges, 111 Fieldfares, 22 Redwings, 17 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 21 Blackbirds, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.
Later at Minnis Bay we saw 17 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Red-throated Divers and 8 Great Crested Grebes.
Matt also walked inland south of the railway and counted 3 Tree Sparrows, 42 Corn Buntings, 40 Chaffinches, 65 Fieldfares, 31 Redwings and 1 Common Buzzard.

Saturday 19 December 2015

December 19th
This morning we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Kestrel, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cormorants, 7 Lapwings, 2 Shoveler, 145 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 2 Mute Swans, 220 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Friday 18 December 2015

December 18th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 548 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Meadow Pipits, 48 Oystercatchers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Short-eared Owl, 28 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Kingfishers, 15 Mute Swans, 36 Redshank, 58 Cormorants, 4 Lapwings, 18 Ringed Plovers, 66 Golden Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 12 Goldfinches, 6 Chaffinches, 26 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 31 Carrion Crows, 3 Grey Plovers, 13 Mallard, 5 Little Grebes and 1 Little Egret.

Male Stonechat

This morning I also received information about the French ringed Coal Tit we trapped at Shuart on October 7th. It had been ringed at Dunes du Fort Vert, Marck, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE on October 1st and had flown 64 km NW.

French ringed Coal Tit

Thursday 17 December 2015

December 17th
On yet another very mild morning we walked inland at Reculver as far south as the Thanet Way. We saw 4 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Chiffchaff, 146 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, 37 Cormorants, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat, 52 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings, 70 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Corn Buntings, 8 Goldfinches and 22 Chaffinches.
Driving over to Thanet this afternoon we had a Raven fly across the road pursued by the local Rooks.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

December 16th
On a bright, breezy and mild morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 349 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plovers, 8 Cormorants, 23 Redshank, 7 Grey Plovers, 2 Stonechats, 64 Oystercatchers, 24 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 35 Lapwings, 38 Carrion Crows, 2 Marsh Harriers, 31 Great Black-backed Gulls, 31 Mallard, 2 Curlew, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser W, 12 Reed Buntings, 11 Chaffinches, 5 Goldfinches, 2 Little Grebes and 10 Meadow Pipits.

Meadow Pipit

Tuesday 15 December 2015

December 15th
We arrived at Reculver at 0800 with the tide out and a light SE breeze blowing in drizzle. We walked up to Coldharbour and recorded 2 Pied Wagtails, 301 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 34 Redshank, 8 Grey Plovers, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Little Egrets, 50 Great Black-backed Gulls, 5 Shelduck, 15 Mallard, 24 Carrion Crows, 466 Cormorants flying from the Stour Valley out to sea, 55 Linnets, 3 Lapwings, 4 Dunlin, 2 Stonechats and 2 Tufted Ducks.
We spent forty minutes this afternoon seawatching from Minnis Bay where we counted 5 Great Crested Grebes, 21 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver sitting on the sea with a Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet E and 1 Great Skua E.

Monday 14 December 2015

December 14th
We had our last ringing session of 2015 at Shuart this morning but managed to ring very little. Birds we saw included 273 Lapwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 9 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Grey Heron,1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Water Rail, 2 Siskins, 15 Blackbirds, 11 Corn Buntings and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 5: Dunnock 2, Blackbird 3

This afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Pied Wagtails, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Little Egrets, 29 Mute Swans, 4 Redshank, 305 Oystercatchers, 55 Linnets, 7 Turnstone, 46 Mallard, 1 female Peregrine, 1 Gannet, 3 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats.

Sunday 13 December 2015

December 13th
We completed the same walk as yesterday but in rainy conditions and saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 7 Mute Swans, 122 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 6 Coot, 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pochard, 144 Cormorants in a line flying out to sea, 12 Goldfinches and 3 Goldcrests.

Saturday 12 December 2015

December 12th
The forecast rain didn't materialise this morning as we visited Reculver and saw 1 Kestrel, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 42 Cormorants, 122 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 11 Mute Swans, 1 Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 224 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Lapwings, 3 Goldfinches, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Marc Heath also saw the Short-eared Owl at the Oyster Farm.

Friday 11 December 2015

December 11th
Although it was dull and breezy this morning we arrived at Minnis Bay at just the right time with the tide coming in and beginning to cover the rocks and push the waders nearer, before they took off to go to roost. On our walk along the promenade below the cliffs we counted 173 Oystercatchers, 31 Redshank, 18 Grey Plovers, 6 Curlew, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Great Black-backed Gulls, 112 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 66 Dunlin, 32 Ringed Plovers, 15 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Carrion Crows.

Purple Sandpiper

Thursday 10 December 2015

December 10th
On a very blustery morning I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. I recorded 11 Fieldfares, 3 Redwings, 10 Blackbirds, 40 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 88 Golden Plover, 25 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Redshank, 5 Little Grebes, 10 Linnets, 44 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 3 Teal, 23 Great Black-backed Gulls, 12 Grey Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Stonechat, 2 Common Buzzards, 122 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Ducks, 6 Coot, 1 Pochard and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Wednesday 9 December 2015

December 9th
On a beautiful winter's morning I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 395 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 43 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Pied Wagtail, 130 Cormorants, 26 Mute Swans, 1 Peregrine, 4 Lapwings, 19 Sanderling, 17 Turnstone, 10 Redshank, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Curlew, 33 Oystercatchers, 15 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Marsh Harrier, 30 Carrion Crows, 19 Mallard, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Stonechat, 48 Linnets, 11 Reed Buntings, 1 Corn Bunting, 34 Ringed Plovers, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Little Egret.

Goldfinches

Tuesday 8 December 2015

December 8th
With the rain still falling we arrived at Reculver later than usual and walked inland and saw 1 Jay, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 144 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 6 Coot, 4 Mute Swans, 245 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 20 Meadow Pipits and 2 Mistle Thrushes.

I was notified today that a Goldcrest we ringed at Reculver on Oct 17th was controlled two weeks later on Oct 31st at Woolley Firs, Windsor and Maidenhead, 138 km W.

Monday 7 December 2015

December 7th
On a pleasant, bright morning with a light SW breeze we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 8 Goldfinches, 347 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Pied Wagtails, 18 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 2 Kingfishers, 12 Redshank, 1 Peregrine, 31 Ringed Plovers, 25 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Little Egret, 5 Lapwings, 5 Mute Swans, 13 Mallard, 9 Turnstones, 34 Oystercatchers, 104 Golden Plovers. 4 male Goosanders W and 1 Dunlin.

Adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese

This morning at Minnis Bay, Terry Wilson saw 100 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egrets, 24 Brent Geese, loads of Turnstone, 2 Kingfishers and 10 Common Scoter.

Sunday 6 December 2015

December 6th
It was another stormy morning so we walked around a couple of sheltered sites at Reculver. Birds we saw included 91 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 62 Golden Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Mute Swans, 132 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Coot, 1 Pochard, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine, 4 Goldfinches, 4 Meadow Pipits and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Saturday 5 December 2015

December 5th
On another unpleasantly windy morning we had a look at Minnis Bay and found 156 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a flock of 31 Common Scoter sitting on the sea made up of 30 females and 1 blotchy faced immature male, 37 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 47 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Gannet and 40 Grey Plovers.
Later at Reculver we saw 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 139 Gadwall, 2 immature Goldeneye, 1 male and 1 female, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard and 1 Little Grebe.

Friday 4 December 2015

December 4th
On a sunny but breezy afternoon we walked inland from Reculver to the Thanet Way and recorded 2 Chiffchaffs, 21 Mute Swans, 144 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 17 Fieldfares, 3 Stonechats, 1 Merlin, 2 Common Buzzards, 55 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Goldcrests.
December 3rd
This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment and saw 262 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Pied Wagtails, 48 Cormorants, 7 Mute Swans, 17 Redshank, 43 Oystercatchers, 11 Linnets, 6 Shelduck, 1 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Peregrines, 1 Stonechat, 18 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Mallard, 1 Kingfisher, 11 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 358 Starlings W, 8 Meadow Pipits, 25 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Meadow Pipit

Wednesday 2 December 2015

December 2nd
On yet another mild and blustery morning we walked around the Shuart area and recorded 55 Cormorants S, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Mute Swans, 25 Fieldfares, 135 Lapwings SW, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 11 Chaffinches, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Firecrest, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 53 Blackbirds, 32 Redwings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.
At Reculver, on the way home, we saw 2 Chiffchaffs, 128 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneyes, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Tufted Duck, 7 Coot, 110 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Teal and 3 Goldcrests.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

December 1st
On a much less windy morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. The highlight was a very flighty and noisy male Lapland Bunting that flew around for a couple of minutes over the beach near the Green Wall before landing briefly and then taking off and continuing W.

Male Lapland Bunting

Other birds we saw included 276 Cormorants, 268 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 42 Lapwings, 10 Mute Swans, 11 Meadow Pipits, 9 Redshank, 4 Stonechats, 11 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 18 Goldfinches, 146 Linnets, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Plover and 2 Little Egrets.