Reculver Sightings - October

 204 species have been recorded in the area so far this year

If you visit Reculver please email your observations to

christopherhindle@hotmail.com

October 31st

This morning I arrived at the Towers for a seawatch at 0800 to find that Marc Heath had already been there for 10 minutes. I stayed for two hours and at about 0900 we were joined by Tim Hodge, Barry Hunt, John Cantelo and Micky Baldock. Before I left we had been soaked by a number of heavy passing showers but had seen 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 diver sp, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Leach's Petrel flying east through one of the squalls, 223 Brent Geese mainly flying west, 12 Shelduck flying west, 23 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 85 Common Scoter mainly flying east, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers flying west, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 4 Curlews, 3 Kittwakes flying east, 13 Little Gulls flying west and 1 Arctic Tern flying west. After the seawatch John and I walked round the caravan bushes and found very little except for a Woodcock that we disturbed twice.

Tim Hodge had already looked at Minnis Bay where he had seen 1 Fulmar, 1 Great Skua and 9 Little Gulls.

October 30th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour via the railway embankment. We saw 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 234 Brent Geese flying west a long way out at sea, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 270 Lapwings, 5 Grey Plover, 8 Redshank, 42 Carrion Crows, 126 Fieldfares, 74 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 7 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 42 Linnets, 2 Bramblings, 1 Snow Bunting and 2 Corn Buntings. Earlier at Reculver we had seen 60 Fieldfares and 1 Chiffchaff.

Tim Hodge had a seawatch at Minnis Bay in the morning and saw 3 Red-throated Divers, 60 Gannets, 500 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, 120 Common Scoter, 1 Great Skua and 1 Black Redstart.

This afternoon we walked along the seawall from Reculver just avoiding a large thunderstorm that drifted by off shore. Brent Geese were still coming in high from the east and in 90 minutes we counted 426 moving up the Swale. Other birds seen included 7 Little Egrets, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 21 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Sanderling, 4 adult Kittiwakes flying east and 2 Stonechats.

Dylan Wrathall walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour during the late afternoon and saw large numbers of thrushes including 1200+ Fieldfare. Other birds he saw wee 2 Little Egrets, 1 Eider, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff and 17 Goldcrests.

October 29th

Matt and I spent the morning ringing at Shuart again. We saw 15 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 41 Skylarks flying west, 351 Fieldfares flying west, 1026 Redwings flying west, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrests, 630 Starlings flying west, 2 Bramblings and 5 Lesser Redpolls and 7 Siskins flying west.

At Bishopstone this morning there were 19 Brent Geese, 4 Grey Plover, 10 Turnstones, 2 Redshank and 2 Curlews.

Tim Hodge had a seawatch from the Towers between 0715 and 1115 and saw 198 Brent Geese flying west, 17 Shelduck flying west, 5 Wigeon flying west, 2 Eider, 17 Common Scoter flying west, 1 Velvet Scoter sitting offshore, 4 Red-breasted Merganser flying west, 3 Red-throated Divers, 37 Gannets flying east, 1 Pomarine Skua  flying west (plus a couple of other distant skuas which might have been Poms), 6 Great Skuas flying west, 15 Little Gulls flying west, 21 Kittiwakes flying west, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern flying west, 1 Razorbill flying west, 1 Short-eared Owl flying west offshore, 578 Skylark flying west, 1 Grey Wagtail flying west, 40 Fieldfares flying west, 3170 Starlings flying west and 2 Snow Buntings flying west.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall round the Green Wall and up to Cold Harbour and found a Grey Phalarope feeding on the sea close in shore near Cold Harbour. Subsequently Matt walked back towards Reculver and found another 2 Grey Phalaropes doing the same. Other birds we saw included 9 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 13 Brent Geese, 1 Eider, 41 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Rock Pipits, 43 Carrion Crows, 84 Fieldfares, 26 Redwings, 28 Linnets and 3 Bramblings.

Two of the Grey Phalaropes had already been seen by the Boast family as they walked along the seawall and on there return towards Minnis Bay they also saw 3 Snow Buntings.

October 28th

Matt and I spent four hours, from first light, ringing at Shuart and during this time there was a continual westerly movement of birds overhead. We counted 32 Skylarks, 2 Grey Wagtails, 948 Redwing, 50 Song Thrushes, 757 Fieldfare, 250 Starlings, 4 Bramblings, 41 Lesser Redpolls and 74 Siskins. Other birds seen included 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 pale juvenile Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 13 Goldcrests and 2 Corn Buntings.

At Bishopstone this morning there were 3 Grey Plovers, 33 Turnstone, 2 Curlews and in the Glen 3 Goldcrests.

Tim Hodge had quite a bit of westerly visible migration at Minnis Bay this morning with totals of 6 Brent Geese, 21 Shelduck, 8 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 7 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 48 Skylarks, 3 Grey Wagtails, 1620 Fieldfare, 565 Redwings, 4230 Starlings, 54 Chaffinches, 21 Goldfinches, 27 Siskins, 28 Lesser Redpolls and 1 Snow Bunting.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall along the Green Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 10 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Brent Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 62 Lapwings, 6 Golden Plovers, 11 Redshank, 2 Short-eared Owls, 78 Skylarks disturbed from a winter wheat field by a passing Boeing 747, 6 Stonechats, 65 Redwing, 310 Fieldfare, 24 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting. As we were returning we met Derek Smith who in addition to what we saw had 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 pale juvenile Common Buzzard and 134 Lapwings.

October 27th

What a change from yesterday! We walked from Chamber's Wall round the Green Wall to Cold Harbour in bright sunshine this morning and saw 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sooty Shearwater flying west close inshore at Cold Harbour, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 13 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 46 Carrion Crows, 7 Bearded Tits, 5 Stonechats, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Redpoll flying west, 2 Siskins and 26 Goldfinches.

At Shuart there was 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Siskins.

This morning in the post I received details of a Kingfisher that I ringed at Reculver that had been controlled in Sussex. For details look at the "Ringing Recoveries" page.

October 26th

We spent the morning at West Hythe looking at the Green Heron so it wasn't until this afternoon that we visited a very rainy Reculver. We walked round the caravan bushes and then up to the Towers, but there was little to be seen. We saw 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Pied Wagtails, 1 Swallow, 20 Blackbirds, 2 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Goldfinches and 12 Chaffinches.

October 25th

It was a beautiful crisp and sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall round the Green Wall to Cold Harbour and we saw a good variety of species including 4 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Teal, 25 Ringed Plover, 29 Turnstone, 13 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 33 Carrion Crows, 19 Skylarks, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Bearded Tits, 10 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechats, 2 Goldcrests, 38 Goldfinches, 39 Linnets, 4 Siskin, 35 Reed Buntings, 7 Yellowhammers and 1 Corn Bunting.

Dylan birded from Shuart to Chamber's Wall this morning and amongst the birds he saw was the pale Common Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 3 Water Rails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 31 Jays flying west, 300+ Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff and 20+ Goldcrests.

October 24th

We arrived at Shuart car park at about 0800 this morning and walked to the sea and back. We saw 1 Grey Heron, 71 Greylag Geese, 130 Lapwings, 70 Turnstone, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallows, 3 Jays, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Blackbirds, 18 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests and 1 Corn Bunting.

This afternoon, after the rain, we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and back. We saw 6 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl, 24 Carrion Crows, 1 Rock Pipit, 10 Fieldfare, 31 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 17 Linnets, 38 Chaffinches flying west and 1 Corn Bunting.

October 23rd

This morning we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back and we saw 7 Little Grebes, 16 Cormorants, 16 Little Egrets, 8 Mallard, 2 Common Scoters, 1 Eider, 1 Merlin, 92 Oystercatchers, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 7 Pied Wagtails, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 22 Goldfinches and 21 Chaffinches flying west.

Tim Hodge fancied a long walk today so he caught an early morning train to Whitstable and walked back to Minnis Bay. Birds he saw in the Reculver recording area included 1 Red-throated Diver close in shore off Bishopstone Glen, 1 Sparrowhawk and 26 Wigeon flying east at Reculver, 2 Bearded Tits at Coldharbour and a Cetti’s Warbler and Kingfisher at Plumpudding. There was a noticeable increase in visible migration as he neared Minnis Bay, so he stayed on the seafront for a couple of hours counting the birds passing through. These included a bonus of a Hawfinch circling the seafront and heading south inland, presumably having newly arrived. There was a westerly movement of 1860 Chaffinches, 620 Starlings, 86 Skylarks, 45 Goldfinches, 26 Siskin, 12 Redpolls, 7 Redwings, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Grey Wagtail plus a Common Scoter offshore.

October 22nd

Matt and I spent the morning ringing at Shuart during which time we saw 56 Greylag Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 40 Song Thrushes, 182 Redwing, 38 Fieldfare, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Goldcrests, 29 Redpoll flying west, 17 Siskin flying west, 26 Goldfinches and 1 Yellowhammer.

At Bishopstone there were 2 Little Egrets, 32 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers and 1 Bullfinch in the Glen.

Derek Smith and Tim Hodge set off from Chambers Wall at around 0815 taking a slow walk up to Cold Harbour, west a few hundred yards, then back to the car park at 1130. They saw 120 Redpolls flying west, 15 Siskins flying west, 20 Goldfinches flying west, 4 Bramblings, 4 Yellowhammers, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Stonechats, 80 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Wagtail flying west, 1 Tree Sparrow, 3 Bearded Tits, 35 Skylarks flying west, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 60 Redwings, 40 Song Thrushes, 1 Fieldfare, 28 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwings, 4 Jays flying west, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Red-breasted Merganser flying west, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Buzzard.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Rock Pipits, 2 Bearded Tits, 6 Stonechats and 406 Chaffinches flying west along the railway line.

October 21st

This morning we birded the Reculver caravan bushes and then walked round the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 7 Little Grebes, 15 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Little Egrets, 13 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 32 Golden Plover, 26 Lapwing, 25 Blackbirds, 6 Redwing, 2 Stonechats, 1 Jay and 19 Goldfinches.

Tim Hodge saw a female Pintail at Brooksend.

This afternoon we walked from Shuart to the sea and back and saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, including the very pale juvenile bird, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jays, 1 Rock Pipit, 9 Redwing, 4 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrests and 1 Corn Bunting.

October 20th

There was a blustery south westerly wind this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall around the railway embankment to Cold Harbour and in about 90 minutes we saw 430 Chaffinches flying west in groups of 10-40. Other birds we saw included 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 11 Mallard, 1 Merlin flashing over the Green Wall, 52 Lapwings, 25 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Redpolls flying west.

October 19th

For a change this morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Plumpudding and back via the seawall. We saw 2 Little Grebes, 56 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Bearded Tits, 58 Redwing, 25 Fieldfare, 6 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 36 Redpoll flying west, 17 Goldfinches, 32 Linnets, 30 Reed Buntings and 5 Corn Buntings.

Tim Hodge also walked from Chamber's Wall this morning and saw 1 Ruff, 5 Snipe flying west, 5 Swallows, 7 Fieldfares flying west, 95 Redwing flying west, 2 Bearded Tits, 9 Corn Buntings and the following flying west 5 Bramblings, 34 Siskins, 74 Redpolls, 210 Chaffinches, whilst there were 3 Water Rails at Netherhale and a Common Buzzard and a Barn Owl at Shuart.

October 18th

As I was eating my breakfast a flock of 25 Fieldfare and 5 Redwing flew past the window of my house.

We started birding at Reculver caravan bushes, in the hope of finding some newly arrived migrants, but it was relatively quiet so we walked out to the railway embankment and on to the Green Wall returning along the seawall. We saw 10 Little Egrets, 11 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Little Egrets, 69 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 28 Blackbirds, 29 Redwings flying west, 127 Fieldfare flying west, 6 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Redpoll.

This morning Tim Hodge birded in the Minnis Bay area and saw 8 Mute Swans, 26 Brent Geese, 5 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 35 Mallard, 6 Grey Partridges, 18 Cormorants, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 5 Coot, 4 Golden Plover, 22 Grey Plover, 146 Lapwings, 3 Curlews, 600 Herring Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 70 Skylarks, 3 House Martins, 90 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Grey wagtail, 17 Stonechats, 7 Fieldfare, 55 Song Thrushes, 130 Redwing flying west, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Bearded Tits, 4 Jays, 370 Starlings flying west, 11 Tree Sparrows flying west, 134 Chaffinches flying west, 3 Bramblings flying west, 22 Goldfinches, 27 Siskins flying west, 45 Linnets, 65 Lesser Redpoll flying west, 1 Yellowhammer, 80 Reed Buntings and 7 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Eider, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 150 Oystercatcher, 16 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 2 Stonechats, 17 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and 382 Chaffinches flying west. We also met Derek Smith who had just seen a Ring Ouzel at Chamber's Wall car park and later also saw 4 Snipe, 2 Stonechats, 1 Firecrest and flying west 7 Siskins, 9 Goldfinches and 205 Chaffinches.

October 17th

I spent the morning ringing at Old Barns during which time I saw 8 Grey Partridges, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Fieldfare arriving high from the north, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 3 Redpoll flying west, 8 Brambling flying west and 30 Chaffinches.

Tim Hodge and Derek Smith had a walk around Reculver this morning and then Derek had a look around Chamber’s Wall. In the Reculver area they saw following mainly flying west 3 Arctic Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns, 12 Knot, 49 Dunlin, 3 Gannets, 3 Tree Sparrows, 2 Chiffchaffs, 40 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Shelduck, 4 Grey Partridge, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 Goldcrests. At Chamber’s Wall Derek saw the following also mainly flying west 2 Jays, 12 Siskins, 8 Redpolls, 3 Tree Sparrows, 4 Kestrels, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Goldcrests, 730 Starlings, 45 Chaffinches and 4 Stonechats. 

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall round the Green Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 1 Little Egret, 11 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtails flying west, 2 Bearded Tits, 11 Stonechats, 45 Redwing flying west and 2 Bramblings flying west.

During the afternoon I received a call from Gadget who said that a friend of his had reported hundreds of Redwing flying over Westgate during the afternoon. He therfore decided to visit Shuart to see if birds were moving there. They were, and in two hours he and Don Wilks recorded 2,200 Redwings, 1,400 Fieldfares, 170 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel and 2 Common Buzzards.

We arrived at Shuart at about 1500 and the bushes were alive with Redwings in five minutes we had counted 1100 not to mention 350 Fieldfares flying over west. The odd thing was that there were none at Reculver or Bishopstone or in the bushes at Chamber's Wall and it appeared they were moving west in a narrow band equidistant between the railway line and the Thanet Way.

October 16th

This morning we looked at Reculver caravan bushes and then walked round the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 5 Little Grebes, 23 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 54 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Bearded Tits, 1 Wheatear and 11 Goldfinches. When we returned to the Towers we found a group of birders doing a seawatch. They had not seen much but as we arrived an Arctic Tern flew west.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 1 Little Egret, 22 Turnstone, 15 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 2 Arctic Terns, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Stonechats, 7 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Goldcrests.

October 15th

With a change in the weather there appeared to be far fewer birds about this morning on our walk from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and the Green Wall. We saw 5 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Little Egrets, 1 Eider, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Plover, 7 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 2 Curlews, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 19 Carrion Crows, 2 Jays, 13 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and 1 Redpoll. On our drive home we saw a Sparrowhawk and a Common Buzzard at Brook.

October 14th

Matt and I spent the morning ringing at Shuart and we saw 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Skylarks flying west, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Long-tailed Tits, at least 2 Bearded Tits flying high west, 2 Swallows, 7 Jays, 2 Redwings, 20 Song Thrushes, 16 Goldcrests, 13 Siskins flying west, 1 Redpoll, 50 Chaffinches flying west, 1 Brambling, and 1 Corn Bunting. On my way home I saw the very pale juvenile Common Buzzard over Shuart Farm. It looks like a Rough-legged Buzzard from some angles and an Osprey from others. If you visit Shuart be aware!

The highlight of this mornings ringing was catching a Robin with a Stavanger, Norway ring on it. I'm still waiting for details of a Pied Flycatcher I caught in 2004 with a similar ring, so I'm not holding my breath as I wait for its ringing details!

Tim Hodge and Derek Smith birded the Marsh this morning and had a good range of species including 9 Bearded Tits, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Yellowhammer, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrels, 20 Stonechats, 2 Bramblings, 6 Redpoll flying west , 10 Siskins flying west , 60 Chaffinches flying west, 460 Starlings flying west, 24 Lapwings flying west, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 60 Skylarks, 60 Reed Buntings, 16 Little Egrets and 2 Jays.

This afternoon we walked around the Reculver caravan bushes and saw 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Swallow, 2 Stonechats and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.

David and June Elliott saw 1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Bishopstone Glen.

October 13th

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour where we met Tim Hodge and then walked back to the car park by way of the Green Wall. Between us we saw 12 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Teal, 13 Oystercatchers, 52 Lapwing, 20 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 14 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Rock Pipits, 6 Redwing, 6 Stonechats, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Redpoll flying west, 8 Siskin flying west, 70 Chaffinches flying west and 70 Reed Buntings mostly flying west.

Derek Smith birded the Chamber's Wall area later in the morning and found birds were still moving west as he had 18 Skylarks, 1 Grey Wagtal, 350 Starlings, 12 Siskins and 720 Chaffinches.

At Bishopstone Barry Hunt saw the following birds flying west 17 Skylarks, 5 Siskins, 110 Chaffinches, 6 Reed Buntings and 1 Tree Sparrow. In his moth trap he caught 2 Dewick's Plusias and 3 Clancy's Rustics.

David and June Elliott reported a Spotted Flycatcher at Bishopatone during the day.

Tim Hodge made a brief visit to Minnis Bay this afternoon and saw 1 Eider, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and 1 Wheatear.

October 12th

An early morning call from Barry Hunt had Anne and me rushing to Bishopstone Glen where he had found a newly arrived RADDE'S WARBLER in the clifftop bushes. Although quick moving and skulking on occasions it gave very good, if brief views, as it moved through the foliage calling frequently. During the morning it called less and less and it was last seen about 1020. This was a long expected new species for the recording area.

Barry hadn't finished as I had another phone call just after lunch to say that he had found another skulker. This time it was a Dartford Warbler in the cliff scrub below Reculver Drive. Other birds seen in the area during the day were 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull and 2 Stonechats.

This evening we walked out to Cold Harbour from Chamber's Wall and saw 6 Little Egrets 17 Golden Plover on the beach, 2 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Goldcrest.

October 11th

On a beautiful still and sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back. Ornithologically it was quieter than recent days and we saw 3 Little Grebes, 9 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Teal, 2 Eider, 26 Ringed Plover, 11 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Swallows flying west, 39 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 2 Redpoll flying west and 38 Goldfinches.

Whilst we were doing this walk Derek Smith birded the Chamber's wall area and saw 15 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 5 Stonechats, 7 Chiffchaffs and 16 Goldcrests.

October 10th

I spent the morning ringing at Old Barns during which time I saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Jays flying west, 18 Skylarks, 12 Redwings, 1 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 29 Redpolls flying west, 26 Siskin flying west and 60 Chaffinches flying west.

Barry Hunt birded in the Bishopstone area this morning and saw 8 Chiffchaffs, 13 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcaps and both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Visible migration was made up of 150 Chaffinches, 34 Goldfinches, 14 Linnets, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskins, 27 Skylarks, 100 Starlings, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Reed Buntings, 21 Meadow Pipits and a flock of 8 Jays all flying west.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 1 Little Egret, 1 Teal, 1 Dunlin, 4 Swallows flying west, 5 Stonechats, 5 Chiffchaffs, 90 Goldfinches and 76 Chaffinches flying west.

October 9th

Matt and I ringed from first light at Shuart and saw an excellent range of species many of them migrating west. We saw 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Spotted Redshank flying north calling, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 26 Jays mainly flying high west, 51 Skylarks flying west, 1 Woodlark flying west and calling at about 0945, 2 Water Pipits flying south, 1 Grey Wagtail, 28 Redwings, 51 Song Thrushes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Chiffchaffs, 20 Goldcrests, 90 Redpoll flying west, 111 Siskin flying west and 62 Chaffinches flying west.

Tim Hodge spent three hours in the Chamber’s Wall area this morning in very pleasant sunshine and saw 1 Common Redstart, 2 Blackcaps, 22 Chiffchaffs, 20 Goldcrests, 4 Stonechats, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Grey Wagtails flying west, 1600 Starlings flying west, 82 Redpolls flying west, 64 Siskins flying west, 65 Goldfinches flying west, 90 Chaffinches flying west, 2 Bramblings flying west, 15 Jays flying west, 138 Golden Plover, 4 Little Grebes and 7 Wigeon flying east.

Derek Smith spent the early afternoon birding Reculver caravan bushes and found 25 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail flying west, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 22 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest and 6 Redpolls flying west. On his way home, at the railway bridge at Brook, he saw 3 Common Buzzards circling with Cormorants, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchffs.

We walked from Chamber's Wall to Plumpudding and back along the seawall this afternoon and saw 5 Little Egrets, 7 Brent Geese, 2 Eiders, 1 Peregrine, 131 Golden Plover, 6 Stonechats, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 53 Goldfinches and 5 Siskins.

October 8th

This morning it was bright and sunny as we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and then round the caravan bushes. We saw 2 Little Grebes, 14 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 29 Little Egrets, 1 Eider, 1 Sparrowhawk, 103 Golden Plover, 78 Lapwings, 42 Carrion Crows, 4 Jays, 61 Meadow Pipits mainly flying west, 6 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 36 Goldfinches and 33 Reed Buntings. As we walked out from Reculver caravan bushes we met Matt who had walked from Chamber's Wall and seen a Jack Snipe that he refound for us before it flew over towards the Oyster Farm lagoons. On his walk he also saw 1 Merlin, 71 Golden Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Swallow, 3 Stonechats, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 13 Lesser Redpoll flying west and 1 Crossbill.

Tim Hodge walked from Minnis Bay this morning and Derek Smith walked from Chambers Wall and they met up near the white poplars and walked the embankment from 0730 to 1030. Their combined totals were 2 Common Redstarts, 25 Lapwing flying west, 48 Golden Plovers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Wigeon, 86 Mallard, 24 Siskins, 1 Yellowhammer, 6 Corn Buntings, 100 Skylarks, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 5 Kestrels, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Short-eared Owl, 18 Redpoll flying west, 32 Chaffinches flying west, 26 Greenfinches flying west and 65 Linnets.

A Honey Buzzard reported flying over the Towers during the day may have been the same bird seen later at Grove.

October 7th

This morning at Reculver we saw 1 Gannet, 1 Eider, 120 House Martins feeding around the Towers, 4 Swallows, 1 Grey Wagtail flying west, 3 Redwing, 2 Stonechats and 29 Chaffinches flying west.

At Chamber's Wall there were 7 Redwing, 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests.

This afternoon we walked from Shuart to Netherhale and saw 1 Grey Heron, 12 Greylag Geese, 3 Common Buzzards, including the very pale juvenile and 5 Jays.

October 6th

I decided to go ringing at Old Barns this morning and saw 1 Merlin chasing a Skylark, 1 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Jays, 9 House Martins, 3 Fieldfare flying west, 1 Redwing, 3 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and 8 Goldfinches.

Derek Smith had a look at the Reculver caravan bushes and found a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest. He also saw 4 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrests before moving on to Chamber's Wall where he found 48 Golden Plover, 15 Chiffchaffs, 20 Goldcrests and 3 Siskin flying west.

Barry Hunt birded the Bishopstone area this morning and saw 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Common Redstart, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 15 Goldcrests, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 6 Lesser Redpoll flying west, 15 Siskin flying west, 150 Chaffinches flying west and 1 Yellowhammer. Below the cliffs at Bishopstone this morning there were 60 House Martins feeding.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour by way of the Green Wall and saw 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Golden Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 80 House Martins, 4 Stonechats, 2 Redwing, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Brambling and 37 Goldfinches.

October 5th

Finally there was a break in the rain at 1500 which gave us time to walk from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and back. Almost the first bird we saw was a newly arrived Short-eared Owl being given a hard time by the local crows and gulls. Other birds we saw included 3 Little Egrets, 164 Golden Plover, 22 Carrion Crows and 8 Chiffchaffs.

After the rain had moved through and the wind had veered to the north at 1730 Derek Smith decided to have seawatch from the Towers and was rewarded with 1 Leach's Petrel flying west at 1750, 1 Storm Petrel flying west at 1820, 22 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Kittiwake. Th e Storm Petrel was the areas 200th species of the year.

October 4th

After yesterday's excitement things had returned to normal this morning as we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back. We saw 1 Little Grebe, 16 Cormrorants, 1 Grey Heron, 25 Little Egrets, 2 Eiders, 2 Grey Plover, 95 Golden Plover, 1 Swallow, 61 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Wheatears, 4 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 68 Linnets and 63 Goldfinches.

This afternoon in the Chamber's Wall area there were 225 Golden Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 House Martins, 3 Stonechats and 9 Chiffchaffs.

October 3rd

With all the talk of a strong north westerly wind and a sea watch I was up at 0600 with the intention of being at Reculver at first light, but when I awoke it wasn't windy so I went back to bed! When I did wake up the wind had increased to a fresh northerly so I arrived at the Towers at 0745. I spent 2 hours there with about ten other birders and we actually saw very little. There were about 40-50 Gannets flying west and 1 Black-throated Diver landed on the sea, but excitement came in the form of a fine adult Sabine's Gull flying west close in shore at 0900 shortly followed by a juvenile Grey Phalarope doing the same. After this excitement it died down again so I left at 0945.

Derek Smith, Tim Hodge and others saw a Manx Shearwater from the Towers at about 1315 and a total of about 60 Gannets, 15 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skuas and 1 adult Mediterranean Gull.

The Saganauts, Richard Collins and others remained at the Towers until dark and were rewarded by a movement of skuas from about 1500 including 27 Great Skuas, 7 Arctic Skuas, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 6 Common Scoters, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Peregrine.

Just down the coast, during the day at Beltinge, Barry Hunt also saw 17 Arctic Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, the adult Sabine's Gull, 3 Red-throated Divers, 120 Gannets, 2 Brent Geese, 18 Common Scoter, 1 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin and juv Yellow-legged Gull.

This afternoon Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall and sat on the beach at Cold Harbour for about 30 minutes at high tide. We saw 3 Gannets, 1 Golden Plover, 20 Turnstone, 7 Sanderling, 2 Great Skuas flying west, 2 Sandwich Terns flying east, 1 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests.

October 2nd

Matt and I spent the morning ringing at Shuart during which time we saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Jays, 1 Swallow, 34 House Martins flying west, 1 Redwing, 12 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 45 Goldcrests, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 17 Goldfinches and 45 Siskin flying west.

Barry Hunt took a brief walk around Bishopstone Glen between 0700 and 0800 and saw 3 Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaff and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. There was a trickle of viz mig with 2 Golden Plover, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Redpoll, 29 Chaffinches, 24 Meadow Pipits and 16 Siskins all flying west.

This afternoon a walk from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and back by way of the Green Wall produced 1 Little Grebe, 41 Little Egrets, 1 Eider, 130 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 9 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, 1 Wheatear, 5 Whinchats, 8 Stonechats, 1 Common Redstart, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests and 5 Siskin.

October 1st

We met Matt at Reculver Towers at about 0810 where he had just had a Manx Shearwater sitting on the sea before flying east. He also saw a Black-throated Diver, 70 House Martins flying west and 18 Pied Wagtails.

Later at Shuart we saw 2 Common Buzzards including a very pale bird with a white tail and dark terminal bar that looked at first glance like a Rough-legged Buzzard. Other birds we saw included 2 Barn Owls, 150 House Martins flying west, 2 Jays, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs and 5 Goldcrests.

At Bishopstone Barry Hunt saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 20 Goldcrests, 1 Blackcap and 2 Sand Martins and 210 House Martins flying west.