Sunday 31 December 2017

December 31st
On a thoroughly unpleasant morning with a SW gale blowing in showers and trying to blow us off the seawall we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. It was a bit of a struggle but we managed to find 13 Fieldfares, 404 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Gadwall, 25 Chaffinches, 18 Reed Buntings, 12 Corn Buntings, 55 House Sparrows, 1 Little Egret, 58 Carrion Crows, 2 Redshank, 61 Mallard, 17 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 27 Oystercatchers, 3 Goldfinches, 10 Snow Buntings and 4 Redwings.

We finished 2017 having seen 206 species in the area. 

Saturday 30 December 2017

December 30th
On a blustery morning we walked from Minnis Bay to Plumpudding lagoon and counted 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Rock Pipits, 153 Oystercatchers, 202 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 52 Redshank, 26 Turnstones, 36 Golden Plovers W, 111 Sanderling, 75 Grey Plovers, 90 Dunlin and 2 Stonechats.

Sanderling

Thursday 28 December 2017

December 28th
It was cold and sunny as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour this morning. We saw 15 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 25 Gadwall, 2 Yellowhammers, 55 Chaffinches, 42 Corn Buntings, 1 Water Rail, 34 Golden Plovers, 1 Marsh Harrier, 38 Reed Buntings, 110 Carrion Crows, 4 Redshank, 47 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 1 Sanderling, 38 Mallard, 57 Grey Plovers, 32 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kittiwake W, 12 Goldfinches, 15 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Coot and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Female Reed Bunting

Wednesday 27 December 2017

December 27th
With foul weather and only limited time this morning we had a quick wander in the rain at Reculver. All we heard was a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler and a singing Mistle Thrush.

Tuesday 26 December 2017

December 26th
After yesterday's unpleasant conditions today dawned bright and breezy so we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Kestrel, 275 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Redshank, 16 Linnets, 2 Curlews, 20 Corn Buntings, 1 Peregrine, 16 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Shelduck, 130 Carrion Crows, 16 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 36 Golden Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers and 2 Stonechats.
During the afternoon Mark Chidwick found 8 Snow Buntings at Coldharbour.

Monday 25 December 2017

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
December 25th
On a drizzly Christmas morning I had a brief wander around at Reculver and saw a singing Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Mute Swans, 10 Chaffinches, 260 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 13 Sanderling.

Sunday 24 December 2017

December 24th
This morning Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and Matt walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall. Between us we found 7 Gadwall, 45 Chaffinches, 45 House Sparrows, 24 Corn Buntings, 12 Goldfinches, 11 Redwings, 32 Linnets, 44 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 6 Redshank, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 26 Oystercatchers, 2 Mute Swans, 16 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 85 Carrion Crows, 2 Snow Buntings, 20 Reed Buntings, 8 Yellowhammers, 1 Lapwing, 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Fieldfares, 30 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers and 1 Green Woodpecker.


Male and female Snow Buntings

Saturday 23 December 2017

December 23rd
On an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 12 Blackbirds, 12 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 4 Mute Swans, 31 Gadwall, 1 Lapwing, 48 Corn Buntings, 45 House Sparrows, 6 Redshank, 5 Grey Plovers, 17 Shelduck, 52 Mallard, 6 Wigeon, 2 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Dark-belled Brent Geese, 55 Carrion Crows, 20 Reed Buntings, 15 Chaffinches, 3 Skylarks and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Friday 22 December 2017

December 22nd
It was a bit brighter this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and we even got a brief glimpse of the sun. We recorded 334 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 28 Redshank, 22 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Grebe, 13 Linnets, 4 Stonechats, 550 Cormorants flying out to sea, 6 Grey Plovers, 49 Oystercatchers, 2 Corn Buntings 23 Shelduck, 3 Curlews, 22 Lapwings W, 54 Mallard, 6 Wigeon, 3 Goldfinches, 5 Mute Swans, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 84 Carrion Crows and 1 Kestrel.

Snow Bunting

Thursday 21 December 2017

December 21st
What with it being the shortest day and the dull, drizzly and overcast conditions it was still pretty dark when we arrived at Chamber's Wall at 0800. We walked out to Coldharbour before visiting Reculver on the way home and managed to see 13 Blackbirds, 25 Redwings, 15 Gadwall, 47 Mallard, 110 Greylag Geese, 5 Grey Partridges, 28 Corn Buntings, 82 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew, 16 Wigeon S, 9 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 22 Oystercatchers, 6 Snow Buntings, 11 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 400 Cormorants, 6 Shelduck, 7 Fieldfares, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Kingfisher.

Wednesday 20 December 2017

December 20th
It was milder but overcast and drizzly this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 441 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Mute Swans, 11 Redshank, 4 Grey Plovers, 3 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Stonechats, 22 Oystercatchers, 22 Shelduck, 1 Merlin, 45 Linnets, 110 Greylag Goose, 2 Corn Buntings, 450 Cormorants, 26 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 27 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 15 Common Scoter E.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

December 19th
Luckily the forecast fog did not materialise here although there was a heavy frost so we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. We recorded 1 Kestrel, 26 Blackbirds, 25 Redwings, 22 Chaffinches, 5 Fielfares, 5 Grey Partridges, 1 female Peregrine, 12 Gadwall, 36 Mallard, 65 Greylag Geese S, 42 Corn Buntings, 25 Reed Buntings, 60 House Sparrows, 1 Little Egret, 36 Oystercatchers, 127 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1,800 Cormorants S to the Stour Valley, 1 Curlew, 4 Grey Plover, 5 Redshank, 4 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 6 Snow Buntings, 5 Goldfinches, 3 Stonechats, 23 Mute Swans and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Anthea Skiffington also found a Black Redstart at the Oyster Farm.

Monday 18 December 2017

December 18th
It was another sunny but chilly morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 4 Redshanks, 132 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 12 Turnstone, 3 Stonechats, 17 Shelduck, 6 Lapwings, 38 Corn Buntings, 5 Snow Buntings, 24 Wigeon, 1 Rock Pipit, 40 Mallard, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 57 Ringed Plovers, 14 Sanderling, 1 Snipe and 5 Grey Plovers.

Male Snow Bunting

Sunday 17 December 2017

December 17th
We arrived at Chamber's Wall just as the sun was rising on a freezing but sunny morning. We walked out to Coldharbour and then along the seawall towards Reculver and recorded 22 Blackbirds, 64 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Fielfares, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Redwings, 1 Little Egret, 38 Chaffinches, 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 10 Grey Plovers, 17 Shelduck, 45 Carrion Crows, 69 Mallard, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Turnstone, 1 Stonechat, 25 Reed Buntings, 34 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Herons and 5 Red-legged Partridges.

Red-legged Partridge

Saturday 16 December 2017

December 16th
On a bright and sunny morning with a chilly NW wind blowing we walked from Reculver along the seawall to Plumpudding and inland to Shuart. We counted 2 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 40 House Sparrows, 1 Rock Pipit, 432 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 95 Linnets, 247 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 30 Golden Plovers, 15 Wigeon, 91 Sanderling, 51 Redshank, 39 Mallard, 1 Guillemot W,, 12 Corn Buntings, 2 Snow Buntings E, 16 Lapwings, 10 Common Scoter, 78 Grey Plovers, 18 Turnstone, 103 Dunlin, 54 Ringed Plovers, 13 Curlews, 2 Stonechats, 1 Redpoll, 13 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 20 Blackbirds and 1 Siskin.

Redshank

Friday 15 December 2017

December 15th
We had to wait until 0830 to go out this morning as a very heavy shower drifted south. We arrived at a muddy Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour and recorded 19 Greylag Geese flying S, 24 Blackbirds, 12 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares, 32 Chaffinches, 71 Corn Buntings, 9 Gadwall, 65 Stock Doves, 45 Mallard, 255 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Shelduck, 70 House Sparrows, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 3 Pintail W, 36 Oystercatchers, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24 Reed Buntings, 1 Goosander and 52 Lapwings.

Thursday 14 December 2017

December 14th
It was bright and breezy this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 10 Blackbirds, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Grey Partridges, 43 Mallard, 13 Gadwall, 65 House Sparrows, 46 Corn Buntings, 15 Reed Buntings, 14 Fieldfares, 15 Shelduck, 103 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 85 Carrion Crows, 2 Yellowhammers, 3 Curlews, 14 Chaffinches, 15 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 6 Skylarks, 1 Goosander, 6 Redwings, 9 Mute Swans and 2 Teal.

Shelduck at Coldharbour

Wednesday 13 December 2017

December 13th
On a dull and overcast morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 82 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Lapwings, 21 Shelduck, 8 Red-throated Divers E, 33 Ringed Plovers, 14 Corn Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 3 Turnstone, 30 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Mallard, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Redshank, 84 Carrion Crows, 1 Curlew and 1 Little Egret.

Male Stonechat

Tuesday 12 December 2017

December 12th
On a freezing but sunny morning we left our house to the sound of Redwings flying over and drove to Chamber's Wall. We then walked out to Coldharbour and saw 14 Redwings, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 25 Blackbirds, 11 Fieldfares, 166 Lapwings flying W, 66 Corn Buntings, 8 Gadwall, 76 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 76 Carrion Crows, 35 Reed Buntings, 234 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Linnets, 13 Skylarks, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 15 Goldfinches, 37 Oystercatchers, 4 Red-throated Divers, 12 Shelduck, 1 Sanderling, 12 Wigeon, 4 Dunlin, 85 Grey Plovers, 60 House Sparrows, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Chaffinches and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Goldfinch

Monday 11 December 2017

December 11th
On another foul morning with a freezing easterly gale and heavy wintry rain we spent 80 minutes at the Towers in what shelter we could find but did not see at great deal. All birds were flying E into the wind and we counted 550 Cormorants, 1 Common Scoter, 87 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 159 Oystercatchers, 6 Red-throated Divers, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 Gannet, 1 Great Skua and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Sunday 10 December 2017

December 10th
This morning, in the snow at Reculver, Matt found 1 Goosander, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Chiffchaff.

Saturday 9 December 2017

December 9th
On a sunny and frosty morning we did the six kilometre walk from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and back to Shuart. We saw 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrests, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Kestrels, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Sparrowhawks, 17 Lapwings, 30 Chaffinches, 20 Linnets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Fieldfares, 6 Little Grebes, 43 Mute Swans, 38 Golden Plovers, 332 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 20 Oystercatchers, 5 Common Scoter and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Friday 8 December 2017

December 8th
Although it was sunny this morning there was a brisk and cold WNW wind blowing. We began by spending 45 minutes at the Towers where we counted 208 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Red-throated Divers W, 1 Great Northern Diver W, 1 Peregrine, 3 Great Skuas W, 9 Golden Plover W, 1 Curlew and 700 Cormorants.
Next we walked along the railway embankment from Chamber's Wall to Shuart before dropping in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 5 Redwings, 22 Blackbirds, 7 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 8 Fieldfares, 41 Mute Swans, 2 Stonechats, 1 immature Goosander and 2 Common Buzzards.

Thursday 7 December 2017

December 7th
With Storm Caroline bringing gale force SW winds and rain this morning we visited one or two sheltered spots at Reculver and Shuart. Most birds appeared to be keeping a low profile but we did manage to see 1 Jay, 1 immature Goosander, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Redwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrels, 14 Mute Swans, 2 Red-legged Partridges and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

December 6th
Another quiet morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 18 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests, 12 Blackbirds, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Fieldfares, 21 Corn Buntings, 18 Chaffinches, 39 Mallard, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Partridge, 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 28 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Redshank, 8 Shelduck, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Stonechat, 1 Curlew, 85 Carrion Crows, 55 House Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 immature Goosander, 15 Mute Swans and 1 Bullfinch.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

December 5th
On a still and overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 30 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings, 30 Mute Swans, 12 Corn Buntings, 62 Chaffinches, 75 Carrion Crows, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Reed Buntings, 1,586 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 2 Redshank, 7 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 42 Oystercatchers, 24 Mallard, 6 Wigeon, 41 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Grey Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 2 Curlews, 1 Little Egret, 70 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Wagtail, 60 House Sparrows, 1 Goldcrest, 9 Golden Plovers, 1 immature Goosander and 1 Jay.

Monday 4 December 2017

December 4th
It was much brighter this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 11 Fieldfares, 4 Redshank,  Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstone, 75 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 70 Linnets, 1 Grey Plover, 68 Cormorants, 66 Carrion Crows, 5 Goldfinches, 42 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 49 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 immature Goosander and 21 Mute Swans.

Immature Goosander

Sunday 3 December 2017

December 3rd
On an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Stonechat, 1 Golden Plover, 60 Cormorants, 58 Fieldfares, 35 Blackbirds, 27 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests, 72 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 24 Corn Buntings, 42 Linnets, 8 Shelduck, 28 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Oystercatchers, 2 Wigeon, 56 Carrion Crows, 2 Redshank, 76 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Wagtail, 161 Common Scoter, 11 Eider E and 1 Teal.

Saturday 2 December 2017

December 2nd
This morning we met at Shuart at 0745 and then drove one of our cars to Reculver before walking along the seawall back to Shuart. We saw 1 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Peregrines, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 406 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Kestrels, 110 Lapwings W, 1 Golden Plover, 770 Cormorants, 13 Shelduck W, 5 Red-throated Divers, 124 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Marsh Harriers, 11 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 242 Oystercatchers, 72 Linnets, 67 Mallard, 45 Carrion Crows, 5 Redpoll W, 60 Dunlin, 79 Grey Plover, 32 Ringed Plover, 16 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 19 Redshank, 39 Mute Swans, 2 Siskins W, 21 Redwings, 6 Song Thrushes, 20 Blackbirds, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Brambling.
As we were walking back along the seawall we met Mike and Maria Longdon who spent most of the rest of the day on the Marsh. On their return from Reculver they walked along the railway embankment where their highlights were a Long-eared Owl and a Dartford Warbler (206th).

Friday 1 December 2017

December 1st
Another cold seawatch this time with wintry showers thrown in for good measure. Two hours at the Towers with most birds flying W produced 20 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings, 74 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 12 Gannets, 550 Black-headed Gulls, 165 Common Gulls, 1 immature/female Goldeneye (205th), 34 Shelduck, 33 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 149 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 26 Red-throated Divers, 13 Kittiwakes, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Plover, 13 Pintail, 1 Great Skua, 1 Fulmar, 800 Cormorants and 3 Gadwall. After we left Doug Stannard added 28 Red-throated Divers, 3 Common Scoter, 5 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon and 1 Great Skua.