Tuesday 31 May 2016

May 31st
It was more like autumn than summer this morning with a near gale force northerly wind blowing in showers and longer spells of rain. As a result we decided to visit Minnis Bay where there was a bit of shelter and have an hour's seawatch. Nearly all the action concerned Gannets and we counted 83 flying E. The only other birds seen were 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Cormorants, 2 Fulmars and 1 Common Tern.


Minnis Bay

Gannets

Monday 30 May 2016

May 30th
The weather seems to be stuck in a rut at the moment with continuing fresh northerly wind and cool temperatures. This morning we had a walk around Shuart and managed to record 5 Blackcaps, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Swifts W, 10 Lapwings, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 4 Whitethroats.

Sunday 29 May 2016

May 29th
With a cool northerly breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 2 Kestrels, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Whitethroats, 13 Oystercatchers, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Fulmar W, 2 Mallard, 2 pairs of Mute Swan including one pair with a Polish morph female, 1 Little Egret, 2 Gannets E, 2 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Tufted Duck.

Mute Swan pair with Polish morph female on left

Saturday 28 May 2016

May 28th
It was very quiet as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and we only recorded 2 Goldfinches, 4 Whitethroats, 15 Oystercatchers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 9 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Ringed Plovers, 6 Cormorants, 2 Mallard, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Redshank and 1 Blackcap,

Little Egret

 Sweet Pea growing beside seawall

Friday 27 May 2016

May 27th
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver and saw 4 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 10 Reed Warblers, 1 female Mallard with 11 ducklings, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 50 Sand Martins, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron.

Birds ringed 29: Chiffchaff 2, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 5, Whitethroat 3, Sedge Warbler 1, Blue Tit 16 pullus, Dunnock 1.

Sedge Warbler

Thursday 26 May 2016

May 26th
On a beautiful morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and also dropped in at Shuart. It was pretty quiet with the tide miles out but we did see 2 Blackcaps, 11 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 little Egret, 1 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Tufted Ducks, 8 Cormorants and 2 Turtle Doves.

Male Yellow Wagtail collecting food

We have seen this plant in various fields on the Marsh but have been unable to identify it, but Norman McCanch came to the rescue and identified it as Tansy-leaved Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
 
Tansy-leaved Phacelia

 

Wednesday 25 May 2016

May 25th
We had intended to go to Chamber's Wall this morning but there had been an accident on the Thanet Way at St Nicholas-at-Wade and there were tail backs to the Roman Galley so we took a detour via Sarre and visited Shuart instead. We saw 6 Blackcaps, 1 singing Goldcrest, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Lapwings, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Long-tailed Tits and 8 Reed Warblers.
On the way home we dropped in at Chamber's Wall and Reculver and added 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mallard, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Coot, 1 Gadwall and 4 Goldfinches.
Terry Wilson also found 5 summer plumaged Turnstone still at Minnis Bay.

A good year for Hawthorn blossom

Tuesday 24 May 2016

May 24th
After having to spend the day in London I didn't manage to get to Reculver until this evening where although the sun was shining but there was a cool and blustery NE wind blowing. A quick stroll produced 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Monday 23 May 2016

May 23rd
We waited for the heavy overnight rain to stop and so arrived at Reculver at 0900. We walked up to Coldharbour with a fresh, cool NW wind blowing and saw 4 Goldfinches, a tight flock of 26 House Martins flying W past the Towers, 2 Shelduck, 4 Whitethroats, 8 Cormorants, 11 Swallows W, 4 Ringed Plovers, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Mallard, 3 Common Terns, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Little Egret.

Ringed Plover

This afternoon the weather improved for a while so we walked round Shuart and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 8 Lapwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Turtle Dove.

Sunday 22 May 2016

May 22nd
After the overnight rain and thunder very little had changed at Reculver with no new birds to be seen. The Nightingale was still singing by the Roman Galley early on after which we looked at Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Shuart. We saw 2 Grey Herons, 9 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 6 Mallard, 3 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Sandwich Terns, 4 Common Terns, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Salsify x Goatsbeard hybrid beside path from railway to Coldharbour

Saturday 21 May 2016

May 21st
It was cloudy and blustery this morning as we visited Reculver and then walked to Chamber's Wall. Birds we saw included 3 Blackcaps, 5 Pied Wagtail, 26 Swifts W, 10 House Martins W, 16 Swallows W, 11 Whitethroats, 4 Common Terns, 9 Cormorants, 8 Little Egrets, 11 Oystercatchers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Linnets, 2 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 5 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Mute Swans, 3 Tufted Duck and 15 Sand Martins.

Little Egrets

Friday 20 May 2016

May 20th
It was pretty slow this morning as we visited Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Shuart. We saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants, 2 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrels, 3 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 4 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Turtle Doves.

Thursday 19 May 2016

May 19th
After a cloudy start this morning turned out sunny as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We counted 7 Blackcaps, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Kestrels, 16 Swifts W, 30 Sand Martins, 7 Whitethroats, 7 Cormorants, 7 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling, 1 Fulmar, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Terns, 19 Mallard, 15 Oystercatchers, 6 Linnets, 28 Swallows W, 1 Lapwing, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 House Martins W, 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Whimbrel, 14 Gannets E, 1 female Eider W (165th), 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 pairs of Turtle Dove and 1 Red Kite W.

Male Whitethroat

Wednesday 18 May 2016

May 18th
It was cloudy with a SW breeze blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. We saw 4 Cormorants, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Linnets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Turnstone, 4 Common Terns, 5 Mallard, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sandwich Terns, 5 Swifts, 20 Swallows, 4 House Martins 50 Sand Martins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Little Grebes.

Common Tern

Tuesday 17 May 2016

May 17th
For a change of scenery this morning we walked from Shuart to Plumpudding Lagoon and recorded 5 Blackcaps, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Lapwings, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Linnets, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 8 Ringed Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 1 summer plumaged Sanderling, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzards and 2 Grey Partridges.

Female Yellow Wagtail

Monday 16 May 2016

May 16th
On a pleasant morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back before walking inland from Reculver. We saw 2 Blackcaps, 2 Pied Wagtails, 10 Whitethroats, 17 Mute Swans, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Common Terns, 3 Redshank, 1 summer plumaged Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, 5 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 4 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, 13 Swallows W, 2 Lapwings, 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Owl, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Coot and 1 Turtle Dove.

Summer plumaged Dunlin

Sunday 15 May 2016

May 15th
Thankfully the wind had dropped overnight as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along a very overgrown Green Wall. We saw 4 Blackcaps, 1 Turtle Dove purring at Chamber's Wall, 4 Chiffchaffs, 18 Whitethroats, 5 Lapwings, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Herons, 10 Oystercatchers, 11 Cormorants, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Mallard, 1 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Linnets, 4 Shelduck and 2 Grey Partridges.

A pair of Oystercatchers

Derek Smith birded at Shuart between 0900 and 1200 and saw 5 Red Kites together flying W as well as 6 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Hobbies. He also saw lots of Azure Damselflies and his first Small Heath of the year.
We visited Shuart this afternoon and found 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 7 Whitethroats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Lapwings, 1 Little Egret circling high with a Buzzard, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Saturday 14 May 2016

May 14th
It was unpleasant walking along the seawall today with a cold, eye-watering, northerly wind blowing. We walked up to Coldharbour and then inland from Reculver and saw 3 Blackcaps, 11 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Linnets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Whitethroats, 8 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 2 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Fulmar E, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Coot and 4 Goldfinches.

Turtle Doves

At about 1330, 2 Red Kites flew W behind our garden at Bishopstone.

Friday 13 May 2016

May 13th
On a sunny and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Reculver and recorded 17 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Gannets, 1 Black Redstart, 11 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Cormorants, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Lapwings, 4 Mallard, 8 Redshank, 3 Common Terns, 13 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Partridges, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 first summer Common Gull E, 2 Sanderling and 1 Pied Wagtail.
Later at Shuart we saw 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

Thursday 12 May 2016

May 12th
The morning began with the Nightingale again singing near the Roman Galley after which we walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back. We saw 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Cuckoos, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Black Redstart, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 6 Linnets, 9 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Cormorants, 1 Shelduck, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Gull E, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Jay.
Matt had a short seawatch later and saw the following flying east: 15 adult Gannets, 2 large auks and 5 Sandwich Terns.

Female Yellow Wagtail

Male Pied Wagtail

Wednesday 11 May 2016

May 11th
Although it was foggy for most of the morning we ended up seeing a good range of species. The morning began with Matt finding a Nightingale (163rd) singing near the Roman Galley after which we met him at Reculver and walked up to Coldharbour. We recorded 4 Blackcaps, 2 Cuckoos, 9 Sandwich Terns flying E, 1 Black Redstart, 7 Grey Partridges, 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Common Sandpipers, 14 Oystercatchers, 2 Tufted Ducks, 17 Mute Swans, 4 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plovers, 3 Shelduck, 10 Linnets, 5 Mallard, 2 Knot, 7 Cormorants, 1 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Terns, 3 Little Terns flying E (164th), 1 Grey Heron, 20 Sand Martins, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinches.

Knot

Tuesday 10 May 2016

May 10th
Although still mild it was wet this morning as we walked from Reculver along the seawall and then inland. Birds we saw included 4 Blackcaps, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Oystercatchers, 7 Cormorants, 8 Linnets, 1 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Common Tern, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Hobby, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Mallard, 12 Sand Martins, 2 Tufted Duck and 1 Chiffchaff.

Oystercatchers

Monday 9 May 2016

May 9th
Unfortunately I had to spend the day in London and so was unable to go birding but Dave Smith was out early at Reculver and the Oyster Farm and his highlights were 7 Common Sandpipers, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Tufted Ducks, 4 Grey Partridges and 1 Cuckoo.

Sunday 8 May 2016

May 8th
On a hot morning we visited various sites in the area. At Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour we saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 13 Whitethroats, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Gadwall, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
At Shuart we found 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Hen Harrier which was probably the ring-tail seen at a distance yesterday by Derek and Barry. I managed some unpublishable photos which however confirmed identification as the bird had the correct plumage details and five visible "fingers" on its wings.
Later at Reculver we had 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Tufted Ducks and 1 Turtle Dove at May Street.
Back home at Bishopstone there was a Coal Tit singing from our back garden, whilst this afternoon a Red Kite and a Marsh Harrier flew W..

Male Yellow Wagtail

Saturday 7 May 2016

May 7th
On a very warm morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the railway embankment and on to Coldharbour before visiting Reculver on the way home. We saw 2 Mallard, 22 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Spotted Flycatchers (161st), 10 Linnets, 13 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Turtle Dove.
Barry Matlock also had 2 Wood Sandpipers (162nd) flying over the Towers.

Spotted Flycatcher

Grasshopper Warbler

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to the Green Wall and back between 0530 and 1130 and counted 6 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Tern, 6 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tail Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Whinchat, 22 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 36 Whitethroats, 26 Sedge Warblers, 16 Reed Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Chiffchaffs and 6 Cetti's Warblers.

Friday 6 May 2016

May 6th
We spent another morning ringing in beautiful weather this time at Shuart. We saw 2 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Mallard, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Lapwings, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Jays, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 12: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Whitethroat 4, Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Blue Tit 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Dunnock 1.

Female Cetti's Warbler

Thursday 5 May 2016

May 5th
On another beautiful morning we had an early start ringing at Reculver. During the time we were there we saw 4 Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Siskin, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 30 Sand Martins, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Swift W, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Mallard, 3 Canada Geese E, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 4 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 14: Wren 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 2, Chaffinch 1, Reed Warbler 1, Great Tit 2.

Sedge Warbler

Following ringing we had a look for raptors from the layby at Shuart and saw 5 Common Buzzards but at 1115 a Black Kite flew W about 50 feet above our heads and was soon circling and gaining height above Chamber's Wall. This was almost certainly the same bird seen by Barry Matlock over Margate earlier during the morning. This was the fourth Black Kite recorded for Reculver Marshes following the previous one on May 17th last year.
This afternoon a walk around the Oyster Farm produced 2 Little Egrets, 2 Cuckoos, 20 Whitethroats, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plovers and 1 Sandwich Tern E.

Wednesday 4 May 2016

May 4th
The day began well with the Long-eared Owl calling again at Bishopstone at 0330.
This morning we had a ringing session out on the Marsh where we saw 2 Cuckoos, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 18 Whitethroats, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Mallard, 8 Sedge Warblers, 7 Chaffinches, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lapwing, 1 Garden Warbler (159th), 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Siskin.

Birds ringed 37: Wren 2, Chaffinch 3, Whitethroat 13, Blackcap 4, Sedge Warbler 8, Reed Bunting 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 3, Dunnock 1.

Lesser Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0600 and over the next four hours walked up to the Green Wall along the railway embankment and then back along the seawall. He recorded 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Common Buzzards, 20 Oystercatchers, single pairs of Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Lapwing, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Blackcaps, 58 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 36 Sedge Warblers, 20 Reed Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Cetti's Warblers and 13 Chiffchaffs.
A brief walk at Reculver this afternoon produced 1 female Merlin, 4 Grey Partridges (2 pairs), 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Swifts, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
This evening at the Oyster Farm Dave Smith recorded 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 or 2 Hobbies, 1 Gadwall, 1 Greenshank and 2 Cuckoos.

Tuesday 3 May 2016

May 3rd

Reculver Towers from the Green Wall

Matt arrived at Shuart 0500 and walked to the sea and then along the railway embankment to Chamber's Wall where we met him. We then walked to Coldharbour and on to Reculver. Birds seen included 6 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 22 Reed Warblers, 40 Whitethroats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 30 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Jays, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Cuckoos, 6 Lapwings, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sanderling, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Fulmar, 11 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck, 16 Swift W, 89 Swallow W, 150 House Martins W, 110 Sand Martins W, 3 Coot, 16 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Gadwall, 42 Corn Buntings, 1 Red Kite, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Owl, 1 Sandwich Tern E, 1 Wheatear and 1 Black Redstart.

Monday 2 May 2016

May 2nd
It was overcast and drizzly this morning with a moderate SW wind blowing as we visited Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Reculver. Birds we saw included 6 Blackcaps, 24 Whitethroats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lapwing, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 49 Swallows W, 2 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatchers, 7 Mallard, 2 Common Terns, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Cormorants, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 3 Swifts W. 5 House Martins W, 1 Red Kite, 2 Goldfinches, 30 Sand Martins, 2 Coot, 11 Tufted Ducks, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Willow Warbler.

Turnstone

Sunday 1 May 2016

May 1st
May began with a wonderful sunny day as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We counted 13 Mute Swans, 4 Blackcaps, 22 Whitethroats, 3 Cuckoos, 10 Linnets, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Reed Warblers, 4 Common Terns, 6 Cormorants, 11 Tufted Ducks, 9 Mallard, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Swift W, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Swallows W, 7 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Turtle Doves and 1 Common Buzzard.

Ringed Plover

Between 0630 and 1030 Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and back via Plumpudding. He saw 2 pairs of Tufted Ducks, 1 pair of Shoveler, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 displaying Lapwing, 35 Swifts W, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Blackcaps, 38 Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Reed Warblers, 42 Sedge Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs and 5 Cetti's Warblers.

Male Yellow Wagtail

At the Oyster Farm Julian and Alex Perry added 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Fulmar.
Dave Smith was also out in the Reculver area and saw 1 Black Redstart, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Red Kite.