Reculver Sightings - February

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

If you visit Reculver please email your observations to

christopherhindle@hotmail.com

February 28th 

In awful weather with torrential rain and gale force gusty winds Marc Heath spent an hour seawatching at Minnis Bay from 0700. We did the same, but only for 20 minutes, from 0830 and between us we saw 70 Brent Geese, 2 Fulmars, 57 Cormorants, 95 Oystercatchers, 18 Grey Plovers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew and 42 Dunlins.

February 27th 

On a blustery but relatively mild morning we met Marc Heath on the seawall and walked up to Coldharbour. We saw 49 Mute Swans, 288 Brent Geese, including 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 33 Red-throated Divers E, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 258 Lapwings, 25 Ringed Plovers, 31 Golden Plovers, 9 Grey Plovers, 17 Turnsone, 12 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat and 17 Snow Buntings.

Marc had already been to a windy and rainy Shuart this morning quite early on but there were no sign of any owls so he went on to Brooksend where he watched for a bit. Birds noted were 5 Fieldfares, 1 Redwing, 2 Ring necked Parakeets, 1 Siskin N, 12 Mute Swans, 12 Wigeon and 1 Marsh Harrier.

After his walk at Reculver with us he then spent another 30 minutes back at Brooksend looking for the Red Kite but with no luck, however raptors were present with 1 Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 ring-tail Hen Harriers and 1 Common Buzzard. A dog walker flushed 1 Woodcock and 11 Corn Buntings were also seen.

Derek Smith visited Shuart as it was getting dark and walked down to the railway line and saw 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock and 1 Long-eared Owl.

February 26th 

Having failed to find the Bean Geese yesterday we drove over to Booksend this morning and found the 7 "Tundra" Bean Geese together with 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Heron and 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier.

We then returned to Reculver and walked round the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 32 Mute Swans, 117 Brent Geese, 12 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 3 Teal, 23 Ringed Plovers, 115 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 14 Turstone, 14 Redshank, 68 Sanderling, 10 Fieldfares and 16 Snow Buntings. Just as we were nearing Reculver 3 adult Bewick's Swans flew in from the north, circled the Mute Swans at Oar Farm and then flew on S towards Chislet Marshes and the Stour Valley.

February 25th 

Following an early morning call from Marc Heath we drove over to Brooksend to see 7 "Tundra" Bean Geese. Coincidentally there have been two flocks of seven grey geese in the area so when we arrived we found that the Bean Geese had departed and 7 White-fronted Geese were there instead. Other birds Marc had seen included 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 3 Corn Buntings.

We then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked to Coldharbour and found 61 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 46 Turnstone, 32 Fieldfares, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler and 41 Chaffinches.

During the day 20 Snow Buntings were reported from the beach between Reculver and Coldharbour and the Red Kite was seen again over the Thanet Way near St Nicholas-at-Wade.

February 24th 

It was a bit murky this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour but luckily it didn't start raining until we got back to our car. We saw 62 Mute Swans, 3 Greylag Geese, 320 Brent Geese, 16 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 10 Teal, 6 Little Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, 18 Oystercatchers, 350 Lapwings, 18 Ringed Plovers, 81 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 16 Redshank, 3 Sanderling, 23 Carrion Crows and 21 Snow Buntings.

Derek Smith had a short walk this morning in the rain at Shuart and it produced 5 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 74 Fieldfares E, 44 Lapwings E and 5 Canada Geese near Brooksend.

Marc Heath had a look at Brooksend this evening after work and found 2 Greylag Geese, 35 Brent Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 300 Lapwings, 1 Curlew and 5 Ring-necked Parakeets.

February 23rd 

This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour in a biting NNE breeze. There were no new birds to be seen, just the usual, with 46 Mute Swans, 90 Brent Geese, 15 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1 Fulmar, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Oysterctachers, 120 Lapwings, 68 Golden Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 17 Redshank, 15 Fieldfares and 18 Snow Buntings flying down to Coldharbour.

February 22nd 

We eventually decided to brave the awful weather at about 1400. We visited Brook and Shuart Farms but only found 42 Mute Swans, 17 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 14 Coot, 1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Jays.

February 21st 

This morning we walked to Coldharbour from Reculver. We saw 43 Mute Swans, 351 Brent Geese, 10 Shelduck, 13 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Oystercatchers, 300 Lapwings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 84 Golden Plovers, 17 Redshank, 1 Knot, 27 Dunlin, 8 Sanderling, 12 Fieldfares, 30 Linnets and 18 Snow Buntings.

Even though it was still raining we ventured out this afternoon to drive to Shuart Farm. On our way we found a Red Kite drifting over the Thanet Way and eyeing up a dead badger. We stopped at the Wagtail Farm Bridge and were entertained by this marvellous bird as it drifted backwards and forwards above our heads for 20 minutes. Unfortunately because of the weather I had not taken my camera and only had a small digital camera with me with which I managed to take the proverbial "record" shot. Other birds we saw included 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Woodcock and 7 Goldfinches.

February 20th 

Marc Heath was at Shuart at first light and found 1 Grey Heron, 2 Long-eared Owls and 1 Little Owl.

He then drove to Reculver and walked down the seawall to Coldharbour where we met him together with Philip Goacher. Between us we saw 45 Mute Swans, 346 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Fulmar W, 1 Little Egret, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 3 Grey Partridges, 350 Lapwings, 7 Ringed Plovers, 114 Golden Plovers, 17 Grey Plovers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 25 Redshank, 1 Knot, 27 Dunlin, 32 Sanderling, 38 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat and 13 Snow Buntings.

February 19th 

This morning we walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons in a biting WNW wind and showers. We managed to see 169 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 29 Mallard, 7 Teal, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 350 Lapwings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 36 Golden Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 9 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 4 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Fieldfares and 2 Snow Buntings, one near the Green Wall and another seen by Michael Warren at Coldharbour.

February 18th 

I spent the morning at my ringing site near Reculver where I saw 47 Mute Swans, 4 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes, 14 Coot, 250 Woodpigeons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 9 Fieldfares and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler.

This morning on the beach at Bishopstone there were 50 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Curlew and 13 Sanderling.

Derek Smith walked along the front this morning in the cold mist and it was pretty much uneventful so apart from a Green Sandpiper over Brook early on he only added approx 250 Lapwings and 80 Golden Plovers at the Oyster Farm, 9 Shelduck, 150 Brent Geese, 25 Fieldfares and 3 Mistle Thrushes on the fields by the Towers.

February 17th 

On a beautiful spring-like morning we walked round the Oyster Farm lagoons and then inland. We saw 32 Mute Swans, 279 Brent Geese, 12 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 3 Teal, 15 Tufted Ducks, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Coot, 550 Lapwings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 40 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 7 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 13 Dunlin, 4 Sanderling, 36 Fieldfares and 6 Snow Buntings.

February 16th 

This afternoon a walk inland at Reculver produced 13 Mute Swans, 4 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Ducks, 4 Pochard, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 8 Coot and 200 Woodpigeons.

February 15th 

I spent the morning at my Reculver ringing site and saw 11 Mute Swans, 6 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 14 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin chasing a Skylark, 9 Coot, 300 Woodpigeons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 79 Fieldfares.

Mike Roser had a brisk return walk to Coldharbour between 0845 and 1015, ostensibly to see the Snow Buntings. He found 12 found on the beach E of the Towers. Initially at the Tower surrounds were  about 150 Fieldfares and 6 Redwings well scattered among the emergent molehills. South of the caravans on the fields, the small herd of swans held 1 Whooper Swan and 3 Bewick's Swans, 2 adults and an immature. A Spotted Redshank was feeding with Common Redshanks in the muddy dyke at the eastern end of the Oyster lagoons. 6 Common Scoters were tightly bunched swimming away from the Coldharbour beach and 1 Stonechat noted in that vicinity.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall round the Green Wall to Coldharbour and saw 7 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 200 Oystercatchers, 26 Golden Plover, 7 Turnstone, 5 Redshank, 4 Stonechats and 13 Fieldfares.

February 14th 

We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning and saw 554 Brent Geese. 19 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 4 Little Grebes, 40 Oystercatchers, 300 Lapwings, 7 Ringed Plover, 16 Golden Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 17 Turnstone, 10 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew, 11 Dunlin, 96 Fieldfares and 1 Stonechat.

February 13th 

This morning we walked along West Brook Valley and found 2 Mallard, 1 Woodcock, 400 Woodpigeons, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 80 Rooks, 24 Skylarks, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Redwings, 4 Chiffchffs and 1 Goldcrest. We then drove down to Shuart where we saw 6 Pochard, 1 Common Buzzard, 9 Coot, 2 Jays and 22 Fieldfares.

David and June Elliott had a male Blackcap feeding in their garden at Sweechbridge this morning.

11 Snow Buntings were reported from Coldharbour during the day.

February 12th 

After yesterday's wind and snow this morning dawned sunny and cold with only a light but chilly NNE wind. We walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 223 Brent Geese, 11 Shelduck, 31 Mallard, 4 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 280 Lapwings, 10 Ringed Plovers, 110 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 12 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 44 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Skylarks, 23 Meadow Pipits, 63 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 2 Stonechats and 20 Snow Buntings.

February 11th 

After the heavy overnight snow we didn't get out until late afternoon when we visited my Reculver ringing site to put out some seed. We saw 14 Gadwall, 74 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard and 9 Coot. We also had 2 Redwings feeding on the apples in our garden at Bishopstone.

February 10th 

It was not very pleasant out on the Marsh this morning with a strong, blustery NNE wind and wintry showers. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back round the Green Wall and saw 12 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 30 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 450 Lapwings, 5 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 38 Linnets and 20 Snow Buntings.

February 9th 

Matt and I spent 70 minutes at the Towers from 0820 seawatching. We saw 350 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 51 Wigeon W, 1 Great Northern Diver E, 39 Red-throated Divers E, 8 Great Crested Grebes E, 265 Cormorants, 1 Fulmar E and 35 Sanderling. We then walked inland and found 6 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 1 Shelduck, 9 Coot, 1 Woodcock, 100 Woodpigeons, 1 Jay and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler.

Craig Sammels started birding by having a look at the sea at Grenham Bay for half an hour or so this morning just after high tide. Good numbers of Common Gulls were seen with about 300 offshore together with a single Kittiwake and on the sea 60+ Red-throated Divers, 100+ Great Crested Grebe, 150-200 Cormorants far out in the Thames Estuary was notable but little else. Down on the first rock pools as the tide receded all the usual waders with 35 Ringed Plovers, 110 Grey Plovers and 225 Sanderling noted with a few hundred large gulls. Then he walked to the Towers and apart from 2-300 Lapwings, 30+ Golden Plover and 3 Meadow Pipit where he would expect Rock Pipits to be little else. The Oyster Farm held 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 7 Shelduck, 10 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe and 7 Reed Buntings. As he made his way back inland and back past the farm the mobile flock of about 450 Dark-bellied Brents made there way W along the sea wall to feed in fields W of Reculver. 2 Pale-bellied Brents were among them. Walking back E along the railway embankment there was 12 Mute Swans, 1 sub-adult Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Chaffinches, 5 Fieldfares but very little else to be seen.

February 8th 

We spent a miserable hour at Reculver this morning in heavy sleety rain. We did not see much for our troubles, just 350 Brent Geese, 24 Mallard, 22 Teal, 3 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 9 Red-throated Divers E, 1 Great Crested Grebe E, 1 Fulmar E, 8 Coot and 1 Rock Pipit.

February 7th 

Marc Heath only had an hour or so this morning so he arrived at Reculver at 0715 and walked along the sea wall for a bit before returning to Reculver. He found a good selection of birds with the highlights being 7 Tundra Bean Geese which landed briefly in the field just south of the Oyster Farm but were soon flushed by a dog walker and flew high SE at 0755. Also noted were 7 White-fronted Geese which flew over the Towers at 0825 and were lost in the mist as they continued to go E. Other birds he saw were 20 Snow Buntings on the beach 800 yards E of the Towers, 200 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 23 Oystercatchers, 9 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Meadow Pipits and 1 Kestrel.

We arrived at Reculver just as Marc was leaving and could only add the following to what he had already seen: 11 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 3 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 500 Lapwings, 8 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 5 Dunlin and 3 Stonechats.

February 6th 

I spent the morning ringing near Reculver where I saw 6 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Coot, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

February 5th 

After the rain cleared at 0930 we walked down West Brook Valley and found 3 Gadwall, 24 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Coot, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 86 Rooks, 11 Fieldfares, 1 Redwing, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

During the morning Simon Summers and David and Diana Taylor found 24 Snow Buntings on the beach between Reculver and Coldharbour.

This afternoon we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and saw 5 Ring-necked Pararkeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Goldcrest and 8 Goldfinches. On our way home, as we drove over the Thanet Way at May Street, a pair of Common Buzards were flying over, one of which was a very dark bird and the other an extremely pale bird with a pale ginger tail. It will be interesting to see what their off spring will look like if they breed.

February 4th 

After it brightened up this afternoon we walked round the Oyster Farm lagoons and saw 1 Greylag Goose, 24 Brent Geese, 9 Shelduck, 54 Mallard, 1 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Little Grebes, 20 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 450 Lapwings, 96 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstone, 14 Redshank, 5 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 4 Stonechats and 21 Linnets.

In the post this morning I received the long awaited ringing information of a Pied Flycatcher I caught at Shuart Farm on 11th September 2004. It had been ringed  as a pullus in the nest at Stordalen, Bardu, Troms, NORWAY on 11th July 2004, 62 days before I caught it and 2125 km NNE.

February 3rd 

On a dull and windless morning with the tide out we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 221 Brent Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 12 Shelduck, 16 Mallard, 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Grebes, 110 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 44 Oystercatchers, 150 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 17 Golden Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 11 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 1 Stonechat and 14 Snow Buntings.

February 2nd 

This afternoon at Minnis Bay Matt and I saw 17 Red-throated Divers, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 111 Cormorants and 1 Rock Pipit. At Shuart there were 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Woodcocks, 1 Jay and 1 Goldfinch and on the way home a Common Buzzard flew across the Thanet Way near Marshside.

February 1st 

This morning we walked from Shuart to the sea and saw 2 Tufted Ducks, 95 Cormorants, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Snipe, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Redwing. We then visited Reculver where we found 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 11 Coot and 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

David and June Elliott were out this morning and walked along the seawall from Reculver and saw 400+ Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 2 Redshanks, 5 Dunlin, 1 Stonechat, 5 Linnets and 11 Snow Buntings.