Reculver Sightings - August

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

If you visit Reculver please email your observations to

christopherhindle@hotmail.com

August 31st 

With the wind moderating over night I was able to spend the morning ringing at Reculver. I saw 1 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Ducks, 14 Little Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 63 Coot, 1 Greenshank, 2 Sandwich Terns S, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Reed Warblers, 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers.

Pat Ashton walked from Reculver to Coldharbour between 0830 and 1030 and found 6 Pied Wagtails, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 24 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 19 Linnets, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe, 17  Redshanks, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin,  8 Ringed Plovers, 35+Common Scoter flying W, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 25 Swallows feeding over Coldharbour, 50 Starlings and 17 House Sparrows.

During the day Dave Brown and family, Nigel Jarman, Julian Russell found 3 Willow Emeralds at Chamber’s Wall and then Julian found 1 Red-crested Pochard and a Greenshank at Brook.

August 30th 

I tried to beat Marc Heath this morning and arrived at the Towers at 0540, but he was already there!!! We were soon joined by Phil Parker and Mike Buckland and about 10 other birders for what started as a very slow sea watch but improved during the course of the morning. I left at 0940 after four hours and Marc left at 1000 and birds that had been seen by then included 6 Teal W, 4 Wigeon W, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 12 Gannets, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 46 Great Skuas W, 39 Arctic Skuas W, 1 adult pale phase Pomarine Skua W, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua W, 2 adult Little Gulls W, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black Terns W, 6 Common Terns and 7 Sandwich Terns.

After we had left a number of birders stayed on with Ian Harding and Mike Buckland finally leaving at 1155. They added the following to the previous numbers: 72 Gannets (53 W and 19 E), 6 Teal W, 1 Whimbrel W, 41 Arctic Skuas W, 41 Great Skuas W, 7 Kittiwakes W, 3 Sandwich Terns W, 16 Common Terns W, 12 Arctic Terns W and 1 Black Tern W.

After this we moved inland at Reculver and saw 7 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-crested Pochards, 10 Little Grebes, 63 Coot, 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper. This evening 30 minutes at Minnis Bay produced 7 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet E, 3 Arctic Skuas E, 5 Common Terns, 20 Sandwich Terns and 4 Black Terns.

August 29th 

We arrived at Reculver at 0800 and walked inland to Brook and then east to the Green Wall and the Oyster Farm. We saw 10 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-crested Pochards, 12 Little Grebes, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Hobby, 66 Coot, 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 Swallows W, 4 House Martins W, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 50 Linnets.

Dave Sutton had 35 Swifts flying W near Shuart.

With the wind increasing to a strong NNW we arrived at the Towers at 1830 to find that Mickey Baldock had been there since 1630 and had been joined by Ian Harding. All birds were flying W and between us we saw 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Whimbrel, 16 Great Skuas, 26 Arctic Skuas, 1 Black Tern, 9 Common Terns and 2 Sandwich Terns.

Matt was watching from Plumpudding Island and had the same as us but in addition saw a Manx Shearwater.

August 28th 

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back round the Green Wall. We saw 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, 15 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 3 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 1 Reed Warbler and 9 Whitethroats.

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver at 0530 and had 30 minutes looking from the Towers which was very quiet after yesterdays excitement. He then walked down to Coldharbour and back via the embankment and Green Wall. Birds noted were 4 Sandwich Terns, 41 Ringed Plovers, 18 Cormorants, 6 Sanderling, 11 Oystercatchers, 21 Turnstone, 4 Wheatears, 11 Dunlin, 1 Hobby, 2 Knot W, 17 Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits W, 4 Mute Swans, 5 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Common Tern. There were also 60+ Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Swallows, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Curlew, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Egrets. Next was a quick trip to Brook were the following were noted: 16 Little Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Greenshank, 1 Blackcap, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Pochard. Butterflies were in good numbers with 5+ Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, a few Common Blues and plenty of 'whites'.

Andrew Lawson and James Hunter found the 2 Willow Emerald Damselflies, male and female, at Chamber's Wall this morning.

Tim Hodge and Derek Smith had a 3 hour walk, this morning, from Shuart to Netherhale keeping out the wind where possible, and although there weren't many birds, there were stacks of dragonflies, mostly Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers, but also a very confiding Southern Hawker. Birds they saw included 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Blackcaps, 1  Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets and 1 Turtle Dove.

August 27th 

With the promise of a NE blow five of us were at Reculver Towers by about 0600, Marc Heath, Phil Parker, Derek Smith, Matt and me, for a four and a half hour seawatch. We had a good morning and saw 4 Shelduck W,  5 Teal, 5 Wigeon W, 123 Common Scoter, 77 Gannets, 2 Fulmars E, 1 Manx Shearwater E, 24 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 121 Great Skuas, mainly W, 145 Arctic Skuas, mainly W, 2 adult pale phase Pomarine Skuas W, 2 juvenile Long-tailed Skuas W, 2 Kittiwakes W, 2 adult Little Gulls W, 38 Common Terns, 32 Sandwich Terns and a bedraggled Whinchat on the wall of the Towers.

Just as we were leaving Ron Dubbins arrived and stayed until 1515 and saw the following additional birds: 22 Arctic Skuas, 13 Great Skuas, 16 Gannets, 90 Common Scoter, 2 juvenile Kittiwakes, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Sandwich Terns, 16 Common Terns, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Little Egrets.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall with the tide a long way in and splashing spray onto the seawall. We saw 4 Gannets E, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 32 Ringed Plovers, 16 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 7 Common Sandpipers, 7 Sanderling, 1 Great Skua E, 2 Arctic Skuas E, 2 Kittiwakes E, 4 Common Terns, 10 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 10 Yellow Wagtails, at least 8 Wheatears on the seawall and 3 Whitethroats.

August 26th 

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and round Coldharbour and saw 1 Grey heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Hobby, 11 Oysterctachers, 22 Ringed Plovers, 6 Grey Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 21 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 5 Dunlin, 5 Common Terns, 2 Swifts W, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaffs and 100 Linnets.

This morning Pat Ashton saw 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel and 3 Sand Martins at Bishopstone.

Marc Heath arrived at a cloudy and dull Reculver this morning at 0615 with the threat of rain not far away. He walked down to Coldharbour and back and hoped that some birds would be moving or grounded in the heavy rain the night before. Birds noted this morning were 23 Common Terns, 9 Wheatears, 28 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 25 Ringed Plovers, 15 Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, 11 Swallows, 4 Meadow Pipits, 23 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Turnstone and 1 Whimbrel. There were also 25 Bar-tailed Godwits on the beach at Coldharbour and 6 Black-tailed Godwits briefly landed on the beach before flying off W. Also 3 Grey Plover, 2 Curlews, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Peregrine, 2 Swifts, 2 Whitethroats and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

This afternoon we visited Minnis Bay, more in hope than expectation, but in the event there were a few birds moving. Between 1330 and 1440 we saw 20 Common Scoter E, 14 Gannets W, 1 Fulmar, 6 Great Skuas W, 11 Arctic Skuas W, including an adult pale phase bird close in over the cliffs, 8 Common Terns E and 26 Sandwich Terns W.  

August 25th 

I spent the morning ringing at Reculver where I saw 3 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-crested Pochards, 53 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Jays, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

At Bishopstone , this morning, Pat Ashton observed 41 Sand Martins, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Skylark, 5 Goldfinches, 3 Linnets and 1 Whitethroat. In addition, because Serco have yet to cut the clifftop meadow, there were 28 Common Blues, 80% males, 6 Large Whites, 11 Small Whites, 7 Gatekeepers and 1 Red Admiral with good numbers of crickets and grasshoppers too.

August 24th 

After yesterday’s excitement it was back to normal today as we walked from Chamber’s Wall and round Coldharbour. We saw 1 Kestrel, 8 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 22 Turnstone, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Sedge Warblers and 50 Linnets.

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver this morning at 0530 and he walked his usual route down to Coldharbour and back via Chambers Wall and the Green Wall. There was a breeze which gradually got up but the sun shone for most of the visit. Birds noted this morning were 2 Kestrels, 6 Common Sandpipers, 1 Great Skua flying leisurely W, 10 Sandwich Terns, 25 Meadow Pipits, 29 Common Terns, 3 Pied Wagtails, 19 Oystercatchers, 38 Redshank, 3 Mallard, 8 Cormorants, 2 Teal, 3 Little Egrets, 27 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Dunlin, 34 Ringed Plovers and 2 Willow Warblers. There were 4 Wheatears, 18 Turnstone, 1 Sparrowhawk with a kill, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 1 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Sedge Warblers, 30+ Linnets and 2 Swallows. As he returned along the sea wall he noticed a smaller wader feeding on the beach with Redshanks which turned out to be a smart Wood Sandpiper. He only managed a few distant record shots before it flew into the Oyster Farm but nonetheless a good bird to get in the area.

August 23rd 

With a strong SW wind blowing in showers this morning we spent 2 hours watching an impressive wader movement from the beach at Coldharbour. A number of groups of birds flew in directly from the north before then flying west along the coast, whilst the majority appeared from the Thanet direction and continued flying into the Swale. In all we identified 13 species comprising mainly adults in summer plumage when they were distinguishable. Totals were as follows: 1 Oystercatcher, 15 Ringed Plover, 40 Grey Plover W, 36 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 83 Bar-tailed Godwits W, 3 Black-tailed Godwits W, 1 Whimbrel W, 161 Knot W, 26 Curlew Sandpipers W, including a flock of 24, 2 Little Stints W and 17 Dunlin W. Other birds we saw during the morning included 7 Teal, 9 Common Scoter E, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 dark phase adult Arctic Skuas E, 1 first winter Mediterranean Gull, 98 Common Terns E, 16 Sandwich Terns, 1 Swift W, 12 Sand Martins W at sea, 17 Yellow Wagtails, and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

The 2 Red-crested Pochards we found yesterday were still present this afternoon.

There were still waders moving this evening and during an hour at Coldharbour Matt saw 200 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Whimbrel and 1 Black-tailed Godwit flying SE, 1 Knot and 121 Sanderling,  including a flock of 90 flying inland, 30 Common Terns W, 4 Sandwich Terns and 1 Swift W.

August 22nd 

This morning we walked from Chamber’s Wall round Coldharbour and the Green Wall whilst meeting Derek Smith on the way. Between us we saw 2 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard flying E, 29 Ringed Plovers, 24 Turnstone, 7 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 10 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 11 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers and 60 Linnets.

This afternoon we managed to dodge most of the showers and walked inland at Brook and found 2 Red-crested Pochards. We also saw 3 Tufted Ducks, 14 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 53 Coot, 1 Hobby flying N, 2 Chiffchaffs and 70 Linnets. We also found at least 4 Small Red-eyed Damselflies.

August 21st 

This morning we walked round the Oyster Farm and saw 9 Little Egrets, 1 Hobby unsuccessfully chasing a Sand Martin out to sea, 1 Kestrel, 102 Ringed Plovers, 37 Golden Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 1 Snipe, 31 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Whimbrel flying SW, 2 Dunlin, 16 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat and 1 Whitethroat.

Marc Heath arrived at a cloudy Chambers Wall this morning at 0545 where he then walked down to Coldharbour and west towards the Towers, cutting back along the Green Wall and along the railway embankment. The sun shone occasionally but a stiff breeze soon got up. Birds he noted were 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Mute Swans, 5 Whitethroats, 15+ probable Greylag Geese dropped in distantly over Shuart, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Common Sandpipers, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 23 Redshank, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 12 Turnstone. There were also 77 Ringed Plovers, 1 Kingfisher heard, 6 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit flew in from the sea and flew around the Oyster Farm before landing out of sight. Also 2 Little Grebes, 1 Kestrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Common Terns, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 20+ Linnets.

August 20th 

We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back round the railway embankment on a hot and sticky morning. There were not as many birds to be seen as yesterday but we did find 4 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 32 Ringed Plovers, 2 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 11 Sanderling, 6 Common Terns, 14 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 5 Whitethroarts.

The Emerald Damselfly we saw yesterday was seen again at Chamber's Wall and was photographed and subsequently identified, with the help of Francis Solly and Barry Hunt, as a Willow Emerald Damselfly. This is probably the first record for Kent.

Marc Heath arrived at a sunny Chamber's Wall this morning at 0600 where he walked along the embankment towards the Towers and on towards Coldharbour before returning. Birds noted were 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Whitethroats, 7 Common Terns, 5 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Cormorants, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Sedge Warblers, 2 Teal, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. There were also 4 Common Sandpipers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Snipe, 2 Whinchats, one near the sea wall with another along the entrance track at Chamber's Wall, 3 Sandwich Terns, 4 Redshank, 5 Meadow Pipits, 12 Turnstone, 128 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin and 1 Sanderling.

As he returned to the car park he also managed to locate and photograph what has turned out to be a Willow Emerald Damselfly.

August 19th 

As I left my house this morning a female Marsh Harrier flew in from the sea and continued flying south. We then drove to Reculver where we walked south to the railway line before walking up to Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour before returning to Reculver. We saw a good variety of species including 8 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 18 Little Grebes, 4 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 46 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 16 Whimbrel, 3 Common Terns, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 80 Sand Martins, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroats, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

Marc Heath was dropped off at Reculver this morning at 1000 after receiving a text from Matt alerting him to 2 Whinchats at the sluice. He had a look around the area but drew a blank. As other birders were in the area, he decided to walk around the caravan park bushes and up to Brook and then down West Brook Valley and back to get picked up at 1415. Birds he noted were 1 Whinchat between the caravan park and Brook, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 adult Tufted Ducks with 2 young, 1 Greenshank on Brook reservoir, 8 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 54 Coot, 100+ Linnets, 2 Willow Warblers and 1 Sparrowhawk. There were also 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier and when he returned back to Reculver, he checked the sluice area and the 2 Whinchat were present again. They showed well and allowed his camera to get some action.

August 18th 

I spent the morning ringing at Old Barns and saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 6 Goldfinches.

Derek Smith walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the railway embankment this morning and found a juvenile Red-backed Shrike in the hawthorns beside the railway. Other birds he recorded were 30 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 64 Golden Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull.

As Derek returned to the car park at Chamber's Wall with Tim Hodge they found a small green damselfly. When we arrived we found at least one more. They were a species of Emerald Damselfly, as yet not specifically identified but may prove to be Willow Emerald Damselfly.

This afternoon Marc Heath visited Chamber's Wall and saw 1 Grey Heron, 1 Curlew, 9 Turtle Doves, 300 Woodpigeons, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats and 100 Linnets.

This evening we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back round the Green Wall and saw 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 19 Ringed Plovers, 42 Golden Plovers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Whimbrel SW, 6 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Whitethroats and 1 Willow Warbler.

August 17th 

This morning, in much calmer conditions, we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 3 Wigeon flying W at sea, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 6 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, 5 Sandwich Terns, 6 Turtle Doves, 12 House Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 21 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler and 80 Linnets.

August 16th 

I arrived at Reculver at 0600 to find Marc Heath and Phil Parker already there. To begin with there was nothing moving, but after an hour or so there was a slight flurry of activity before things quietened down again by the time we left at 0820. We saw 17 Teal flying W, 16 Common Scoter, 31 Gannets, mainly flying W, 1 juvenile Peregrine chasing and harrying 2 Teal over the sea, 5 Golden Plover W, 5 Grey Plover W, 1 Snipe W, 1 Whimbrel W, 2 Knot W, 20 Arctic Skuas flying W, 22 Kittiwakes W, 14 Common Terns and 3 Sandwich Terns.

We then had a short walk south of the Towers and found 1 Kestrel, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers,1 Greenshank, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff.

Geoff Burton made a short visit to Reculver this morning. He checked the caravan park and found next to nothing and a 20 minute seawatch produced very little except for a summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper flying W at about 1140 and there was also a smart summer plumaged Grey Plover on the beach.

This afternoon we walked down West Brook Valley and found 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby hawking for dragonflies in the lee of the trees, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Pied Flycatchers.

August 15th 

With a fresh NE wind forecasted I arrived at Reculver at 0600 to find that Marc Heath had already been there for half an hour! During the next three hours Derek Smith and one or two other birders arriived but it was pretty slow. Between us we saw 14 Teal, 122 Common Scoter E, 34 Gannets, 2 Fulmars W, 1 Curlew, 3 Great Skuas W, 26 Arctic Skuas mainly W, 1 juvenile Kittewake E, 78 Common Terns E and 82 Sandwich Terns E.

We then decided to visit Chamber's Wall to see if there were any newly arrived migrants but only saw 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Turtle Doves, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's warbler and 2 Whitethroats.

On our way home we dropped in to Reculver Cravan Bushes where we met up with Brendan Ryan and saw 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Wood Warbler and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

This afternoon Derek Smith walked along the West Brook Valley where the railway workmen had been tree cutting, but he managed to find 1 Hobby, 5 Blackcaps and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

From 1700-1930 Derek, Marc and Tony Swandale seawatched from the Towers and saw 30 Gannets flying E, 7 Common Scoter, 31 Arctic Skuas, including 8 sitting on the sea close in before flying W, 3 Great Skuas flying W and 2 Kittiwakes flying W.

August 14th 

We were lucky to avoid the heavy showers that surrounded the area this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. We saw 1 Teal, 35 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Redshank, 2 Greenshank flying S, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel flying S, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Dunlin, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 21 Sedge Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff and 31 Linnets.

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver at 0540 where he watched from the Towers for an hour. He then walked down to Coldharbour and back via Chamber's Wall and the Green Wall, just about dodging the showers and just getting back to his car before the heavens opened. Birds noted were 77 Sandwich Terns flying E, 35 Oystercatchers, 50 Common Terns, 22 Common Scoters, 7 Gannets, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Bar tailed Godwits with a couple of probable distant flocks passing W over the sea, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Kestrel, 21 Redshank, 7 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 20 Ringed Plovers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Willow Warbler and 32 Linnets. There were also 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull W, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone, 4 Golden Plovers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 8 Sedge Warblers, 19 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Greenshank, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Jay and 2 Little Grebes.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour on to Plumpudding Stables and back along the railway embankment and he got very wet! Before the rain really set in he managed to see the following: 23 Greenshank in small groups mostly flying S, 26 Whimbrel in small groups also flying S, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit flying S, 1 Snipe flying S, 7 Golden Plovers, 7 Turtle Doves, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 juvenile and 1 adult male, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Wheatear and 6 Yellow Wagtails.

Nicholas Keem visited Bishopstone and found 1 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

August 13th 

In blustery conditions this morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We saw 4 Little Grebes, 12 Gannets flying W, 13 Cormorants, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Saprrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 10 Oystercatchers, 10 Ringed Plovers, 12 Golden Plovers flying SW, 1 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone, 26 Redshank, 13 Dunlin, 1 Wheatear and 55 Linnets.

Marc Heath spent three quarters of an hour, from 0600, at the Towers and saw 8 Gannets, 1 Fulmar, 13 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 12 Sandwich Terns.

August 12th 

A walk from Chamber's Wall down the Green Wall and on to Coldharbour, this morning, produced 2 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Ringed Plovers, 17 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 6 Turtle Doves, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Marc Heath was dropped off at the Towers at 1140 for three hours and he walked down to Coldharbour getting a soaking in the process at one point. Birds noted were 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Scoter E, 1 Curlew, 15 Swallows, 23 House Martins W, 20 Linnets, 15 Cormorants, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Wheatears, 5 Meadow Pipits, 6 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plovers, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Skylark, 2 Hobbies out at sea chasing a hirundine, 1 Grey Plover, 500+ Woodpigeons, 5 Common Terns and 1 Oystercatcher.

August 11th 

It was pretty quiet whilst I spent the morning ringing near Reculver. I saw 2 Tufted Ducks, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 1 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel flying S, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs.

Marc Heath was dropped off near the Chambers Wall barrier at 1120 where he walked the area down to Coldharbour and along the seawall back to the Towers. Birds noted were 2 Grey Herons, 3 Kestrels, 1 Curlew, 4 Whitethroats, 8 Swallows, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Dunlin, 10 Sandwich Terns and 7 Common Terns. There was a Shag feeding off Coldharbour before it flew W, also 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 Redshanks, 4 Ringed Plovers, 8 Meadow Pipits, 3 Turnstone, 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Whimbrel W, 300+ Woodpigeons and 50+ Linnets.

This evening we walked south from Reculver and found 1 Teal, 2 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

August 10th 

After lunch we walked from Chamber's Wall and round Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby chasing Linnets and harassing Woodpigeons, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 juvenile Black Tern flying W over Coldharbour, 7 Common Terns, 3 Sandwich Terns, 400 Woodpigeons feeding on the stubble fields, 1 Turtle Dove, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler and 45 Linnets.

August 9th 

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 3 Gannets E, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Oystercatchers, 40 Ringed Plovers, 1 Golden Plover, 11 Turnstone, 8 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Dunlin, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 14 Common Terns, 7 Sandwich Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Whitethroats and 1 singing Willow Warbler.

At Bishopstone Pat Ashton saw 3 Sand Martins, 5 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches and 3 Linnets. Later we had a Hobby fly over our garden.

Derek Smith had an early start at Chambers Wall this morning, walking up to Coldharbour, along to the Oyster Farm and back along the embankment between 0630 and 1000. He followed this with a visit to Brook. Birds of interest were as follows: 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Whimbrel, 16 Golden Plover W, 2 Snipe W, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 Wheatear, 17 Willow Warblers and at Brook a few Small Red-eyed Damselflies, 3 male Emperor Dragonflies patrolling the margins and 1 male Ruddy Darter.

August 8th 

I spent the morning ringing near Reculver and saw 2 Tufted Ducks, 7 Little Grebes, 3 noisy juvenile Sparrowhawks being fed by their parents, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 32 Coot, 1 Ringed Plover W, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 4 Whimbrel W, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warblers.

While I was ringing Marc Heath was seawatching at Reculver Towers and saw 34 Gannets, 1 Peregrine, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Great Skua W, 3 Arctic Skuas, including a pale phase bird, 31 Common Terns, 9 Sanwich Terns, 1 Swallow and 1 Meadow Pipit.

Mickey Baldock also saw 3 Arctic Skuas flying W at Minnis Bay.

August 7th 

The promised rain arrived this morning as we were walking from Reculver to Colharbour and we got soaked! We saw 4 Oystercatchers, 37 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 24 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 22 Common Terns, 15 Sandwich Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 16 Pied Wagtails and 3 Wheatears.

Pat Ashton had a walk at Bishopstone and saw 2 Sand Martins, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 very wet Skylark, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Linnets.

Marc Heath had a brief drive around the area this morning early only noting 1 calling Grey Partridge. He then drove to a cloudy Reculver where as he stepped on to the sea wall, the heavens opened. It continued to rain on and off for most of the visit but there were some birds to be seen. Birds noted were 1 Gannet, 15 Sandwich Terns, 43 Whimbrel W, 12 Ringed Plovers, 9 Pied Wagtails, 51 Common Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 1 juvenile Cuckoo in off the sea, 3 Little Grebes, 5 Oystercatchers, 30 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Wheatears, 1 Grey Plover W, 30 Meadow Pipits and 8 Turnstone. There were also 4 Dunlin, 7 Little Terns E, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Willow Warblers, 9 Whitethroats, c200 Linnets with Goldfinch and Greenfinch, 3 Golden Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Little Ringed Plover E at 0855, 1 Grey Heron and 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull .

August 6th 

There were few migrants to be seen or heard at Old Barns this morning. I saw 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Greenshank W, 1 Green Sandpiper W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.

At Bishopstone, this morning, Pat and Mark Ashton saw 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Swallows flying W, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 15 Linnets and 10 Goldfinches.

This afternoon we walked inland from Reculver and found 1 juvenile Tufted Duck, 10 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 38 Coot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper and 1 Willow Warbler.

August 5th 

Marc Heath arrived at the Towers for a seawatch in a fresh NW wind. He spent an hour from 0530 before walking down to Coldharbour and back. Birds he noted were 84 Gannets W, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Kestrel, 86 Common Terns, 3 Common Scoter, 30 Sandwich Terns, 1 Wheatear, 22 Turnstone, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 juvenile Grey Partridges, 13 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Skylark, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank W, 3 Swallows and 1 Fulmar W.

We arrived at Chamber's Wall at 0800 and walked up to Coldharbour where we sat on the beach for a while. We saw 31 Gannets W, 8 Ringed Plovers, 7 Golden Plovers, 5 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 1 juvenile Meduterranean Gull, 9 Common Terns, 37 Sandwich Terns, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear and 130 Linnets feeding on the recently combined rape fields.

Pat Ashton saw a Wheatear on the cliff tops near Bishopstone.

August 4th 

This morning we walked from Reculver round Coldharbour and back along the sea wall. There were good numbers of terns roosting on the beach and we counted 131 Common Terns and 59 Sandwich Terns. Other birds we saw included 3 Little Egrets, 11 Grey Partridges, 2 adults and 9 juveniles, 10 Oystercatchers, 21 Ringed Plovers, 9 Turnstone, 11 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Whimbrel, 1 Ruff flying W, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 14 Pied Wagtails, 7 Yellow Wagtails, our first Wheatear of the autumn and 55 Linnets.

This afternoon we managed a walk around Shuart before the promised rain arrived. We saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Tern carrying a fish towards Grove and 2 Turtle Doves. We also had a Hobby sweep over our garden as we arrived home.

August 3rd 

I spent this morning ringing at Old Barns and ringed a juvenile Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler. I also saw 12 Lapwings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap and 13 Willow Warblers.

Mark Ashton also saw 35 Lapwings flying W along the coast near Bishopstone this morning.

Derek Smith and Tim Hodge spent an hour seawatching off Reculver Towers this evening and saw 8 Gannets, 2 Whimbrel W, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull lingering offshore, 130 Common Terns W and 25 Sandwich Terns W. There was also a large number of gulls with a few terns feeding offshore, probably on a shoal of fish.

A Hobby flew over May Street this evening.

August 2nd 

Having spent the first part of the day driving to London and then Stansted it wasn't until mid-afternoon that we ventured out to Chamber's Wall. We walked up to Coldharbour and found 1 Marsh Harrier, 14 Oystercatchers, 23 Ringed Plover, 33 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, 8 Common Sandpipers, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 5 Common Terns, 42 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Derek Smith, Tim Hodge and Mickey Baldock spent a couple of hours this evening seawatching from the Towers and saw 12 Gannets E, 1 Little Egret W, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier E, 1 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit E, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 3 Kittiwakes E, 70 Common Terns W, 30 Sandwich Terns W and 1 Black Tern W. There were also a fair number of gulls and terns feeding offshore.

August 1st 

I spent this morning ringing at Old Barns where at least 50 Willow Warblers moved through during my four hour stay. Other birds I saw included 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 17 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldfinches.