Reculver Sightings - May

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

If you visit Reculver please email your observations to

christopherhindle@hotmail.com

May 31st

This morning we walked from Shuart to the sea and back and saw 1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fulmars, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel flying W, 1 Little Owl, 3 Cuckoos, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.  

Marc Heath received a text from Barry Hunt early this morning letting him know of a male Black Redstart around the Towers. He made his way down and after a brief search, soon found the bird which showed well but was always very flighty. Other birds he noted around here were 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swallows, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Fulmar flying E, 7 Shelduck, 5 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Nightingale still singing near May Street and lots of juvenile Starlings and a few juvenile Blackbirds in the area.

I received a call from David Feast this afternoon to say that he had seen a Sooty Shearwater sitting close in shore at Minnis Bay and drifting W. This is a very rare spring record for this species in Kent.

This evening we walked from Chamber’s Wall to a breezy Cold Harbour and saw 4 Shelduck, 1 Eider, 2 Gannets flying W, 1 Fulmar, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 5 Whitethroats. 

May 30th

On another beautiful morning we walked from Chamber’s Wall to Cold Harbour and back round the railway embankment. We saw 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Avocets, 4 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 9 Whitethroats.

With the hope of some good birds, Marc Heath was again out this morning at 0500, where I heard the Nightingale singing near May Street and a brief listen near Brook produced 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Blackcap, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Cuckoo. He met Barry Hunt at 0600 at the Towers and walked down to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. They noted 8 Swifts, 3 Swallows, 15 Sandwich Terns, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Gannets flying E, 2 Fulmars, 5 Avocets at the Oyster Farm, 3 Shelduck and 3 Little Egrets. There were also 5 Common Terns, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Eider, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 probable White fronted Goose flying S with 5 Greylag Geese, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Red legged Partridge and good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warblers in song. He then had an hour at Shuart raptor watching which was quite successful. At 1010 he picked up a ringtail Montagu's Harrier which slowly gained height and headed off NE. Other birds seen included 1 Hobby, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Corn Bunting, 10 Swifts and 2 Turtle Doves. 

May 29th

On a glorious morning we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back and saw 2 Greylag Geese, 8 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Fulmar, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Avocets, 12 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Whitethroat.

Barry Hunt had walk for an hour around the clifftop at Bishopstone and saw 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on the sea and 1 Garden Warbler singing in the coastguard bushes. There was not much else to be seen other than lots of Painted Ladies.

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver this morning at 0500 and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. In beautiful sunshine he logged 2 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 26 Oystercatchers, 7 Cormorants, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 7 Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Terns, 5 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Sandwich Tern. There were also 2 Shoveler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Swallows, 4 Avocets at the Oyster Farm, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Greylag Geese with 4 goslings, 3 Fulmars and good numbers of Sedge and Reed Warblers. A quick look inland at Reculver on the way home produced 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Turtle Dove, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Common Buzzard. There were at least 70 Painted Lady butterflies noted today. 

                                                                                                             
May 28th

Marc Heath arrived at Chambers Wall this morning at 0500 where he wandered for four hours around the Green Wall, down to Coldharbour and along to Plumpudding Stables before returning along the embankment. For once the sun was shining but the cloud and wind were soon noticable as time went on. Birds noted were 1 Nightingale near May Street, 23 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cuckoos, 19 Swifts, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Grebe, 16 Cormorant, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Oystercatcher, 6 Shelduck, 5 Skylarks and 5 Tufted Duck. There were also 3 Avocets on the Oyster Farm pools, 3 Common Terns, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Swallows, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Fulmar flying W, 11 Turnstone, 3 summer plumaged Dunlin, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Eider, 1 Little Tern which allowed some good views, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall as well as Sedge and Reed Warbler in song. There were at least 50 Painted Lady butterflies noted throughout the walk.

After flying home yesterday from a week’s birding in Poland we spent the first part of the morning getting unpacked and organised so it wasn’t until 1000 that we arrived at Chamber’s Wall. We walked to Cold Harbour and saw 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Avocets,  3 Common Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 7 Whitethroats. We also counted 70 Painted Ladies.

May 27th

Derek Smith had an early walk from the Towers to Cold Harbour and back round the Oyster Farm from 0530 to 0800 and saw 3 Fulmars flying W, 2 Avocets on the Oyster Farm, 18 Turnstone, 6 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 2 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Ducks, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Red Kites flying SW over the Oyster Farm towards Brook at 0730, 1 Cuckoo and 85 Swifts flying W.

May 26th

The rest of the country seems to have stacks of rarities, but our corner seems to be missing out at the moment. There were plenty of families enjoying the summer sunshine on Monday afternoon, but Derek Smith could find very few birds. With the tide up and people everywhere there was hardly a wader to be found, although Cold Harbour looks perfect for a scarcity any day now. He wandered from Chambers Wall to Cold Harbour and along the front for a while and managed to record the following: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flying W, 22 Turnstones, presumably summering non-breeders, 1 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shelducks, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo and about 150 Painted Ladies flying W in the 2 hours he was sitting on the sea wall. 

May 24th

Marc Heath arrived at Chambers Wall just after 0500 where he walked around the Green Wall to Coldharbour and back. Birds he noted included 3 Cuckoos, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kestrels, 7 Whitethroats, 3 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers, 1 Shoveler and 5 Swift flying W. There were also 2 Fulmars and  2 Gannet flying W, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Skylarks, 7 Ringed Plovers, 2 Cuckoo including 1 hepatic female, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler and about 20 Sand Martins. Painted Ladies were again numerous with many seen on most footpaths used.

Barry Hunt saw most of his birds this morning over the sea and they included 2 adult Kittiwakes flying E as did 7 Gannets, 16 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns and 21 Common Scoter. 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Eider were offshore. 2 Avocets were on the Oyster Farm briefly as was a single Dunlin.

May 23rd

Marc Heath started very early this morning at 0315 and walked around the Oyster Farm in darkness and down to Coldharbour in the hope of hearing a Quail, but despite his ears working overtime, he did not hear one. He then met Barry Hunt at the Towers at 0545 where they walked again down to Coldharbour and back via Chambers Wall and the Green Wall. The highlight of the morning was when Barry picked out 2 distant herons flying in from the south at 0630. One was smaller, darker and slimmer and showed an obvious long dagger bill and after a debate, this was confirmed as a Purple Heron. Other birds noted included 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Cuckoos, 5 Tufted Ducks, 8 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Fulmars, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret, 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Chambers Wall, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Turnstone, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Terns, 5 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Common Buzzards and 5 Whitethroat. 

May 22nd

Derek Smith visited various sites at Reculver today and saw 1 Hobby flying W along the sea wall 0905, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels, 2 Turtle Doves, 60 Swifts flying W, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler and a few singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps at Shuart.

May 19th

We arrived at Reculver just after the last heavy shower had departed NE and walked to Cold Harbour. We saw 6 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8 Oystercatchers, 10 Ringed Plover, 21 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Common Terns, 2 Little Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns and 1 Whitethroats. We also saw a Common Seal catch a good sized plaice, struggle with it for about a minute, and then swallow it whole.  

Derek Smith set off from the Towers at 0515 and walked to Cold Harbour and back by 0730, getting showered on several times on the way. He saw 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Turnstones, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Gannet flying E, 1 Fulmar flying W, 8 Common Terns, 17 Sandwich Terns flying E, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 200+ Swallows flying W between the showers, 10 grey geese flying E 0630 that appeared rather small, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 2 Lapwing.

Marc Heath received a call about mid afternoon from Barry Hunt alerting him to a Spotted Flycatcher at Shuart so after a quick look down there and meeting Barry, they located the bird. Other birds seen were 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Blackcaps. A quick look a Reculver around the Oyster Farm produced 3 Little Egrets, 3 Common Terns, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Shelduck including a pair with 6 young, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Turnstone, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and a few groups of Swifts adding some aerial excitement to the visit.

May 18th

On a blustery and showery morning we walked the Chamber’s Wall/Green Wall/Cold Harbour loop and saw 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 7 Common Terns, 6 Little Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 44 Swifts flying W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 House Martins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 8 Whitethroats.

At Shuart, this afternoon, there were 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 50 Swifts, 30 House Martins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats and 3 Blackcaps.

May 17th

This morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Cold Harbour and met Barry Hunt and Marc Heath on their way back. Between us we saw 13 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 15 Common Scoter flying E, 1 Eider, 11 Gannets flying E, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 33 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 6 Sanderling, 2 Common Terns, 2 Little Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 26 Swallows flying W, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Whitethroats.  

This morning Derek Smith walked from Chambers Wall to the railway where he also met Marc and Barry and they walked along the Green Wall to the coast. He then went back via Cold Harbour to Chambers Wall and saw 1 Fulmar, 7 Gannets flying E, 26 Turnstone, 4 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Eider, 2 Common Terns, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Kestrels, 3 Marsh Harriers, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Turtle Dove.

May 16th

This morning we walked from Shuart to the sea and saw 2 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Terns, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Siskin flying W.

Barry Hunt had a male Montagu’s Harrier fly over Reculver Towers this morning.

This afternoon we walked from Chamber’s Wall to Cold Harbour and saw 1 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 3 Little Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 34 Swifts flying W, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

May 15th

Matt arrived at Shuart at 0500 and then walked to Plumpudding, along the seawall to Cold Harbour and on to Chamber’s Wall where he met us. We then walked along the railway embankment to Cold Harbour. By 0930 he had identified 78 species including 8 Greylag Geese, 8 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 15 Sanderling, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 10 Swifts, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti’ s Warbler, 10 Whitethroats and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

May 14th

Tim Hodge had an early morning walk from Shuart to Reculver and back that was reasonably entertaining, although there was not much left of yesterday’s large arrival of Spotted Flycatchers and Garden Warblers. A Quail was calling just south of the Oyster Farm, and other bits included 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Nightingale, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 Avocet, 1 Pochard, 6 Cuckoos, 10 Grey Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 9 Common Sandpipers, 19 Sanderling, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Curlews, 19 Sanderling, 1 Eider and 1 Turtle Dove. Broods of young are beginning to appear, including Shoveler, Little Grebe and Mallard, whilst a steady movement of hirundines included 290 Swallows and 24 Sand Martins heading west.

We reached Reculver a little later and walked from there to Cold Harbour and back round the railway embankment. We saw 2 Greylag, Geese, 5 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck,   1 Fulmar, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 16 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Dunlin, 5 Sanderling, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Avocet flying W, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Turtle Doves, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 5 Whitethroats.

May 13th

The wind had dropped considerably this morning as we parked at Chamber’s Wall to open the gate and almost immediately we saw a Tree Pipit fly in from height. At Chamber’s Wall car park there were 2 newly arrived Spotted Flycatchers with 2 more by the white poplars. It looked as if there had been an overnight arrival. Other birds we saw as we walked along the railway embankment and then on to Cold Harbour included 2 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Hobby, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Greenshank, 16 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Terns, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Swifts, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 10 Whitethroats.

Derek Smith and Tim Hodge got thoroughly soaked this afternoon as they walked from Shuart to Plumpudding but they saw some good birds for their troubles. They recorded 8 Little Terns, 200 Swifts, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Garden Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 15 Spotted Flycatchers and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

Other birds seen between Bishopstone and Cold Harbour included 8 Spotted Flycatchers, 22 Common Sandpipers with one flock of 20 on beach east of Towers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Hobby, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Peregrine and 2 Little Terns, 8 Sandwich Terns, 7 Common Terns, 1 Gannet all these flying E.

We visited the Reculver Caravan Park bushes this afternoon and found 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Garden Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

Derek walked down West Brook Valley in the late afternoon and saw 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Nightingale, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. He then visited Chamber’s Wall and Cold Harbour where he found 12 Grey Plover, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Spotted Flycatchers and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

By my calculations there must have been at least 37 Spotted and 3 Pied Flycatchers in the recording area today.

May 12th

It was another very windy day with a NE gale blowing. I spent 50 minutes at the Towers this afternoon and did not see very much, just a few terns struggling E against the wind. I saw 1 Common Tern, 23 Sandwich Terns and 4 Little Terns.

I then visited Shuart but only saw 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.

May 11th

After the Lord Mayor’s Show as the saying goes!! Today was completely different to yesterday with a near gale force NE wind, no pratincole and most birds out of sight. This morning we walked from Chamber’s Wall to the Oyster Farm and then on to Cold Harbour and saw 7 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 10 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Whitethroats.

This afternoon I spent an hour at the Towers hoping for something good to fly by, but what I saw was 1 Eider and 18 Bar-tailed Godwits and the following birds flying E against the wind: 1 Gannet, 1 Fulmar, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Common Terns and 50 Sandwich Terns.  

May 10th 

It was one of those exciting and not to be forgotten mornings that you occasionally get when you bird watch. It started with a phone message from Marc Heath at 0750 to say he had just had a pratincole fly past him at Chamber's Wall flying towards Reculver - probably the same bird that had been seen at Grove two days ago. We were just on our way out and so drove to Reculver where we met Matt, but there was no sign of the bird. We walked along the seawall and up the Green Wall where Matt's sharp eyes picked out a pratincole in the distance hawking for insects above the River Wantsum and then disappearing again. With Barry Hunt we then walked back to the Oyster Farm lagoons where almost immediately Matt picked out the bird flying along the back of the embankment. It flew out to Brook but soon returned and landed. It was at this point that we suddenly realised that we could not see chestnut underwings and that the features associated with a Collared Praticole were not there and it began to dawn on us that we were infact looking at a BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE, a mega rarity. We put the news out and soon birders were arriving in numbers.

Below are two photos of this difficult to photograph bird, but hopefully if it stays longer, better ones will appear.

Other birds we saw included 9 Greylag Geese, 18 Shelduck including 8 ducklings, 2 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Turnstone, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Common Terns, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Whitethroats.

Marc Heath decided on a visit to Chambers Wall this morning. Having had a quick drive through the lanes en route and noting 1 Nightingale, 4 Blackcaps and a few Whitethroats he  arrived just before 0500 where birds were in good voice. He walked around the Green Wall, down to Coldharbour and back. Birds noted were 3 Cuckoos, 2 Red legged Partridges, 20 Whitethroats, 3 Skylarks, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Yellow Wagtails and 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling along the Green Wall. There were also 10 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher, 10 Greylag Geese, 4 Mallard, 1 Fulmar flying W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Barnacle Geese flying E, 4 Dunlin, 1 Wheatear, 5 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover and good numbers of Sedge Warblers singing.

It must be every birders dream to be part of finding a 'Mega' so he was stunned when at 0750, he picked out a pratincole flying low west from Chambers Wall towards Reculver Towers. Phone calls were made and after an agonising wait, the bird was refound and at last confirmed as a BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE. Days like this are few and far between so he left for home a very happy person. There was also a Whinchat at Chambers Wall and earlier in the dark, he saw a Badger near the Roman Galley.

May 9th 

We met Matt at the Chamber's Wall car park at 0800 and walked to Cold Harbour and back along the Green Wall. Batween us we saw 1 Greylag Goose, 10 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 9 Common Scoter flying E, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser flying E, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 ring-tail Montagu's Harrier flying W along the railway embankment, 1 Hobby, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 6 Common Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 16 Swifts, 3 Cuckoos, including a hepatic female, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 20 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcaps and 1 Willow Warbler.

Marc Heath made a 90 minute visit to Chambers Wall with John Cantelo this morning. They walked down to Coldharbour and back along  the sea wall and saw 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Terns off Coldharbour, 2 Wheatears, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Whitethroats as well as good numbers of Sedge Warblers.

Derek Smith, Tim Hodge and Patrick Giles decided to do a "Big Day" on foot. They started in the Stour Valley and reached Shuart in the early afternoon and then walked to the sea and on to the Oyster Farm. In the Reculver recording area they saw 1 Fulmar, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 ring-tail Montagu's Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 summer plumaged Dunlin, 2 Guillemots, 5 Wheatears, 1 male Whinchat and 23 Corn Buntings.

May 8th 

There was an even stronger cool SW breeze this morning as we walked from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back. Birds we saw included 10 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Eider, 1 Fulmar, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Oystercatchers, 14 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 38 Turnstone, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 15 Sanderling, 4 Common Terns, 7 Sandwich Terns, 2 Cuckoos, including a hepatic female, 56 Swifts flying W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 27 Swallows, 8 Sand Martins and 1 House Martin flying W, 3 Whitethroats, 8 Goldfinches and 1 Siskin flying W.

This afternoon we walked at Shuart and found our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. We also saw 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats and 7 Blackcaps.

May 7th 

There was a brisk WSW wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour via the Green Wall. We saw 9 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 11 Turnstone, 71 Swifts flying W, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 20 Whitethroats.

As we drove to and from Shuart this afternoon we heard the Nightingale singing at the junction between Reculver Lane and Brook Lane. As we returned to the car at Shuart we saw a ring-tail Montagu's Harrier fly across the road towards Chamber's Wall. Other birds we saw included 2 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroats and 2 Blackcaps.

May 6th 

For a change this morning we turned right at the railway embankment at Chamber's Wall and walked down to Plumpudding Riding Stables before returning along the seawall. We saw 1 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 10 Coot, 23 Turnstone, 110 Sanderling in varying plumages from full summer to winter, 2 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 5 Little Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 32 Swifts flying W, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 53 Swallows and 9 House Martins flying W, 29 Whitethroats and 1 Willow Warbler.

Derek Smith had a walk from the Towers to Cold Harbour and back this afternoon and saw the following: 1 Fulmar flying W, 3 Sandwich Terns offshore, 2 Common Terns flying W, 28 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Marsh Harriers, 20+ Yellow Wagtails, 6 Shelduck, 3 Greylag Geese, 30 Swallows flying W, 2 Great Crested Grebes offshore and 1 Eider.

May 5th 

This morning we decided to walk from Reculver to Cold Harbour and back along the railway embankment with the highlight being our first 2 Little Terns of the year. Other birds seen included 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Shelduck, 11 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Fulmar, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Partridges, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings, 12 Ringed Plover, 19 Turnstone, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns, 4 Cuckoos, 51 Swifts flying W, 85 Swallows flying W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 13 Whitethroats.

At Shuart this afternoon there were 2 Little Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats and 2 Blackcaps.

May 4th 

This morning we again walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and then back via the Green Wall and met Philip Goacher on the way. Birds seen included 4 Greylag Geese, 5 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Fulmar, 14 Oystercatchers, 11 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 7 Common Terns, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Cuckoos, 13 Swifts flying W, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 38 Swallows and 3 House Martins flying W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Blackcap.

This morning Derek Smith had a walk from Shuart to the railway up to Chambers Wall and back along Potten Street Road. He recorded 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 4 Turtle Doves, 6 Cuckoos, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40+ Swifts flying NW over Shuart, 14 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Whitethroats, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Ducks and 2 Shoveler.

May 3rd 

This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Cold Harbour and then back via the Green Wall. We saw 8 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Oystercatchers, 24 Turnstone, 4 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Swifts flying W, 24 Swallows and 2 House Martins flying W, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 21 Whitethroats and 3 Blackcaps.

Later at Shuart we found 1 Grey Heron, 1 Whimbrel flying W, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swifts, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroats and 8 Blackcaps.

Marc Heath arrived at Bishopstone this morning at about 0530 in the hope of finding a Garden Warbler but despite a good search he did not hear one. He did manage to see 4 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat and 2 Green Woodpeckers. He then move on to Reculver where he walked from the Towers to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. He was joined by Barry Hunt and they noted 10 Swifts flying W, 10 Whitethroats, 5 Shelduck, 2 Gannets, 25 Turnstone, 3 Fulmars flying W, 85 Swallows flying W, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 5 House Martins flying W, 1 lone Brent Goose off the Towers before flying E later, 5 Sand Martins and 3 Redshank. There were also 3 Common Terns, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Eider, 1 Wheatear, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Knot in Cold Harbour, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff and good numbers of Sedge Warblers singing.

May 2nd 

Marc Heath was out early this morning at 0500 hoping for a birthday treat. He had a brief drive around the area noting 2 singing Nightingales and 1 Cuckoo calling. He arrived at Chambers Wall and walked to the Green Wall and down to Cold Harbour and back. Birds he noted in lovely sunshine were 2 Cuckoos, 19 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Barn Owl hunting towards Shuart, 3 Lesser Redpolls flying over and 3 Gadwall. The highlight today was a reeling Grasshopper Warbler 50 yards west of the white poplars which showed a few times, also 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Shoveler, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Greylag Goose, 10 Swallows, 6 Swift flying W, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Shelduck, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Fulmars flying W and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Matt arrived at Reculver at 0700 and walked to Bishopstone and back via Brook and saw 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Swifts flying W, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Jays, 1 Nightingale, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler.

We met Matt at Reculver car park at 0800 and walked along the seawall to Cold Harbour and back via the railway embankment seeing 3 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fulmars, 22 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapwing, 10 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 35 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 10 Common Terns, 3 Sandwich Terns, 3 Turtle Doves and 7 Swifts flying W, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Whitethroats and 1 Willow Warbler.

Derek Smith visited Shuart for an hour and a half this morning and saw 2 Cuckoos, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats and his first dragonfly of the year, a Hairy Dragonfly. Also there were a few Peacocks, a Speckled Wood and several very active Orange-tips.

May 1st 

This morning we walked from Shuart to the sea and saw 9 Turnstone, 14 Sanderling, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Barn Owl hunting in broad daylight, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Jays, 1 Wheatear, 12 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps and 1 Chiffchaff.