On a calm morning we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back and saw 51 Greylag Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 2 Kestrels, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 5 Coot, 13 Lapwings, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 7 Skylarks, 10 Magpies, 3 Jays, 1 Mistle Thrush, 15 Blackbirds, 5 Goldcrests, 27 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches and 6 Chaffinches. We also counted 16 Rook nests at Wade House.

Allopreening Ring-necked Parakeets © Chris Hindle

On a mild, overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall. We saw 3 Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 58 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 7 Grey Plovers, 112 Golden Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 25 Redshank, 16 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Skylarks and 6 Chaffinches.

This morning Julian Perry walked from Shuart through to Brooksend. The most notable feature of the walk was the number of Redwings on the move with small waves passing over W totalling 275+ birds. Other species seen included 34 Greylag Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Greenfinches, 12 Goldfinches, 17 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting. Back home at Bishopstone the female Blackcap is still making its morning visits to the garden olive tree. 

It continues to be very slow and our walks at Shuart and Brook this morning only produced 22 Mallard, 18 Teal, 21 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 28 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Blackbirds, 3 Goldcrests and 6 Corn Buntings.

This morning we completed the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall loop and saw 12 Mute Swans, 35 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 68 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 18 Redshank, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Skylarks, 2 Bearded Tits in the dyke between the Green Wall and the Wantsun outflow, 8 Chaffinches and 12 Linnets W.

Bearded Tit © Chris Hindle

We met up with Julian Pery at Shuart this morning and walked out to the sea before we had a quick walk inland at Reculver. We saw 61 Brent Geese, 38 Mallard, 12 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 13 Wigeon, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 22 Coot, 32 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 26 Carrion Crows on the beach, 2 Jays, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 24 Linnets and 10 Chaffinches.

This morning Marc Heath walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 250 Brent Geese, 2 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Owls, 1 Kingfisher and 4 Bearded Tits. Later at Shuart he saw 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Siskin.

Bearded Tit © Marc Heath

On a sunny afternoon we walked down West Brook Valley and saw 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 72 Rooks at the rookery, 2 Jays, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 5 Chiffchaffs.

This morning Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour with the tide out. We saw 18 Mute Swans, 180 Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Common Buzzard E over the beach, 1 Kestrel, 72 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 8 Grey Plovers, 7 Redshank, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 9 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling and 4 Skylarks.

Yesterday I received an email from Simon Mount to say that he had seen a dead owl by the cental barriers on the Thanet Way. I managed to find it this morning and taking my life in my hands grabbed it during a lull in the traffic. Unfortunately it was a Long-eared Owl.

On a lovely warm sunny spring-like afternoon Julian Perry spent an hour along the West Brook Valley. Birds seen included 4 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 36 Rooks, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 5 Greenfinches.

For a change of scenery this morning we walked from Shuart Farm to Brooksend and recorded 16 Mute Swans, 48 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 65 Lapwings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Fieldfare and 4 Goldfinches.

Ring-necked Parakeet © Chris Hindle

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 18 Mute Swans, 466 Brent Geese, 9 Shelduck, 38 Mallard, 3 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 1 Eider, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Egrets, 39 Oystercatchers, 13 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 10 Grey Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 21 Redshank, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 10 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker and 23 Linnets.

We completed the Chamber's Wall/Coldharbour/Green Wall loop this morning and it was relatively quiet. We saw 16 Mute Swans, 430 Brent Geese, 10 Shelduck, 41 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 450 Cormorants E, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 47 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 11 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 14 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin and 11 Carrion Crows.

It was still fairly quiet this afternoon when Julian Perry walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds seen included 23 Mute Swans, 390+ Brent Geese, 6 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 13 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 11 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, 8 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 37 Redshank, 2 Turnstone and 1 Song Thrush.

On a beautiful bright and sunny, but chilly morning, we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and round the Oyster Farm lagoons. We saw 20 Mute Swans, 180 Brent Geese, 13 Shelduck, 87 Mallard, 44 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 46 Cormorants, 5 Oystercatchers, 32 Lapwings, 4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Grey Plover, 28 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Skylarks, 22 Linnets and 8 Reed Buntings.

This afternoon we walked around Shuart and Brook Farms where there were very few passerines to be seen. We did however record 13 Mallard, 11 Teal, 59 Gadwall, 24 Wigeon, 29 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Water Rail, 27 Coot and 2 Snipe.

After the overnight rain, this morning was bright and sunny but there was a cold, fresh, NW wind blowing. We walked around the Oyster Farm lagoons and then inland and saw 16 Mute Swans, 370 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 50 Mallard, 20 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 3 Little Grebes, 535 Cormorants, 1 Kestrel, 17 Coot, 91 Lapwings, 5 Ringed Plover, 6 Golden Plover, 21 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Curlew, 1 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 6 Sanderling, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W and 28 Linnets.

Male House Sparrow © Chris Hindle

Although it was still relatively mild this morning there was a fresh SW wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour before walking inland at Reculver. We saw 14 Mute Swans, 151 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 24 Mallard, 1 male Pintail, 16 Wigeon, 23 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 29 Coot, 10 Oystercatchers, 9 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plvers, 46 Redshank, 1 Knot, 19 Dunlin and 4 Long-tailed Tits.

Marc Heath and Phil Parker birdwatched the Marsh during the morning and saw similar numbers to us but in addition they saw 1 Spotted Redshank and 2 Woodcock at Shuart.

On another spring like morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and saw 18 Mute Swans, 230 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 36 Mallard, 2 Eider, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 37 Oystercatchers, 13 Ringed Plovers beginning to display, 58 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 10 Turnstone, 19 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 18 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Tit flying along the seawall, 38 Meadow Pipits, 3 Goldfinches, 42 Linnets and 10 Reed Buntings.

Little Grebe © Chris Hindle

Once again Julian Perry had a female Blackcap in his back garden at Bishopstone feeding on olives from his olive tree. A habit picked up in the Mediterranean area maybe.

This afternoon we walked round the Shuart area and recorded 24 Mallard, 26 Teal, 48 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Grey Partridges, 10 Coot, 6 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Woodcock, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 4 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

While we were at Shuart Marc Heath birded Brook Valley and saw 16 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 54 Golden Plover, 3 Woodcock, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrests.

It felt like spring this morning with milder temperatures and many birds singing, pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers displaying and Rooks back at their nests. We visited Brook Valley and Shuart and saw 22 Mute Swans, 17 Mallard, 34 Teal, 66 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Coot, 1 Water Rail, 102 Lapwings, 24 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 84 Rooks at 42 nests down West Brook Valley, 4 Jays, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing and 3 Chiffchaffs.

Julian Perry had a female Blackcap in his back garden at Bishopstone feeding on olives from his olive tree.

It was much less cold this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back but there was a blustery WNW wind that made viewing conditions unpleasant. We managed to see 17 Mute Swans, 265 Brent Geese, 7 Shelduck, 2 Eider, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapwing, 3 Grey Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 27 Redshank, 1 Curlew and 52 Dunlin.

At 0930 Peter Harnett found 3 Red-crested Pochard, 1 male and 2 females, at Brook. They had flown away by late morning and were almost certainly the same birds seen at Sandwich Bay the next day.

Marc Heath birded the Reculver area today and his highlights were 550 Brent Geese, 1 Pintail, 1 red-head Smew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Spotted Reshank, 4 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe and 3 Chiffchaffs.

Jack Snipe © Marc Heath

This morning we walked from the Roman Galley out to Reculver and saw 20 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard, 80 Teal, 55 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 41 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 28 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Peregrine, 5 Red-legged Partridges, 15 Coot, 14 Lapwings, 1 Woodcock, 1 Curlew, 5 Meadow Pipits, 5 Goldfinches and 32 Linnets. We met Julian and Alex Perry who were doing the same walk as us and who saw similar numbers with the exception of a Goldcrest at the Caravan Bushes.

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 22 Mute Swans, 733 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 2 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 26 Oystercatchers, 54 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 7 Turnstone, 7 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 3 Curlew, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 64 Dunlin and 54 Linnets.

After an early morning snow shower we birded in the Shuart area and also looked in at Chamber's Wall on the way home. We saw 42 Mallard, 34 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 8 Red-legged Partridges, 8 Coot, 13 Woodcock, 3 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 250 Woodpigeons, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 228 Skylarks feeding in a tight flock in an oil seed rape field, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrests.

Chiffchaff © Chris Hindle

Marc Heath birdwatched in the Reculver area this morning and his highlights included 2 Pintail, 600 Teal, 1 red-head Smew, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzaed, 15 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Little Owl and 1 Siskin.

Red-head Smew © Marc Heath

On a cold and snowy morning Julian Perry walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour. The snow made visibility difficult at times but birds he managed to see included 15 Grey Partridges, 2 Pheasants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 4 Woodcock, 3 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 57 Skylarks, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 6 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch and 3 Linnets.

On returning home to Bishopstone he found a female Blackcap in his garden and this afternoon there was a Woodcock as well. 

Derek Smith walked for a couple of hours along the seawall this morning. There was not a great deal except 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 8 Curlew. However he did find 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese © Derek Smith

On a glorious, sunny morning but with the temperature hovering at -3.0°C we walked along Brook Valley and saw 12 Mute Swans, 26 Mallard, 600 Teal, 52 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 4 Wigeon, 2 Common Buzzards, 4 Grey Partridges, 16 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Woodcock, 7 Snipe, 220 Woodpigeons, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Jay and 3 Chiffchaffs. Later at Chamber's Wall we found 1 Green Sandpiper and 6 Snipe.

As well as all the wildfowl that we saw this morning, during their walk inland from Reculver, Alex and Julian Perry also saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Woodcock, 3 Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe.

This morning, Ray O'Reilly found 24 Woodcock in the Reculver Caravan Park and surrounding areas, 1 female Merlin, 5 Grey Partridges, 12 Golden Plover, 1 Knot, 6 Common Snipe, 14 Song Thrushes, 2 Common Eider.

Derek Smith managed a few hours at Reculver this afternoon with Patrick Giles and Kerry and Alex McDonnell. They walked from the Towers east along the seawall and around the Oyster Farm. Birds of interest seen were 1 Peregrine, 2 Merlins E, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Eider, 1 Pintail, 250 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Woodcock, 6 Snipe and 1 Kingfisher.

Woodcock © Derek Smith

This morning we trudged through the ice and snow from Chamber's Wall and walked round Coldharbour before walking inland from Reculver. Altogether we saw 231 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 400 Teal, 54 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 57 Gadwall, 28 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Merlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 11 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 41 Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 35 Linnets.

This morning Julian Perry visited Shuart, and walked through to the sea. Birds seen included 2 Mute Swan, 210 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Pheasant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 85 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 5 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Woodcocks, 5 Sanderling, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 24 Skylarks, 1 Redwing and 40 Chaffinches.

With less wind this morning it was a more pleasant walk from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 590 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 5 Teal, 191 Wigeon sitting on the sea, 2 Eider, 1 male Peregrine chasing Dunlin, 1 Kestrel, 57 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, 1 Ringed Plover, 38 Golden Plover, 13 Grey Plover, 6 Turnstone, 24 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 100 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats, 23 Linnets and 9 Reed Buntings.

Dunnock feeding on Alexanders in the snow © Chris Hindle

There was completely different feel to the weather this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and then inland. It was dull and there was a raw, eye-watering NE wind blowing. We recorded 11 Mute Swans, 654 Brent Geese, 5 Shelduck, 38 Mallard, 630 Teal, 64 Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 16 Coot, 48 Oystercatchers, 16 Lapwings, 1 Ringed Plover, 8 Golden Plovers, 11 Grey Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 23 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 49 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 33 Skylarks, 1 Stonechat, 2 Goldfinches and 38 Linnets.

Julian Perry, who we met on the seawall, spent about three hours covering similar ground to us and seeing a similar range of species. 1 Woodcock and 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose were the main additions.

As it got dark this evening a Woodcock spent an hour feeding on the lawn in our back garden.

On a beautifully sunny, but bitterly cold morning with the temperature at -4.5 °C when we arrived at Reculver car park, we walked up to Coldharbour and back. At the car park Matt and Anne saw a Merlin streak in off the sea but I missed it! Other birds seen included 630 Brent Geese, 11 Shelduck, 11 Mallard, 33 Teal, 102 Wigeon, 26 Pintail, 12 Pochard, 2 Eider, 4 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 180 Cormorants, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Peregrine, 22 Oystercatchers, 130 Lapwings, 29 Golden Plover, 20 Grey Plover, 25 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 4 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 48 Dunlin, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Kingfisher, 155 Skylarks, 3 Fieldfares , 2 Redwings, 1 Stonechat and 43 Linnets.

We then walked inland from the Towers and recorded 12 Mute Swans, 400 Teal, 58 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 20 Wigeon, 25 Tufted Duck 1 male Goosander, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Peregrine, 16 Coot, 8 Snipe, 3 Woodcocks and 4 Long-tailed Tits.

Male Goosander and Gadwall © Chris Hindle

We drove down to Reculver this morning, avoiding a car that had slid into a telegraph pole, to meet Matt at 0815. The seawall was surprisingly clear of snow as we walked up to Coldharbour and back. Birds seen included 530 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Shelduck, 38 Mallard, 39 Teal, 21 Gadwall, 73 Wigeon, 12 Pintail W, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 6 Red-throated Divers, 51 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 8 Oystercatchers, 28 Lapwings, 13 Golden Plover, 7 Grey Plover, 4 Turnstone, 27 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 4 Curlew, 93 Dunlin, 42 Skylarks, 50 Meadow Pipits, 45 Linnets and 20 Reed Buntings.

At Coldharbour Matt decided to walk back along the railway embankment and south at Oar Farm. In addition to what we had already seen he recorded 100 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 3 Pintail, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Water Rail, 2 Redshank, 16 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Green Sandpiper, 20 Redwing, 60 Blackbirds, 3 Fieldfare, 30 Meadow Pipits and 1 Yellowhammer.

Common Snipe © Matt Hindle

As I was writing this report Matt looked out of the window and found 4 Bewick's Swans flying W. This was 137th species for our garden.

With six inches of snow overnight we didn't venture out until after lunch when we parked behind the Roman Galley and walked down the hill towards Reculver. We saw 15 Mute Swans, 180 Brent Geese, 19 Mallard, 296 Teal, 52 Wigeon, 48 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 1 Common Buzzard, 16 Coot, 47 Lapwings, 12 Snipe, 3 Skylarks, 12 Meadow Pipits, 5 Robins and 32 Linnets. Some of the Meadow Pipits and Robins were feeding and hopping about on the vegetation on the unfrozen stream.

At Chamber's Wall there were 8 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Redwings and 1 Fieldfare and down Reculver Lane we saw 11 Grey Partridges, 1 Woodcock, 1 Snipe, 20 Blackbirds, 14 Redwings and 4 Fieldfares.

Mickey Baldock was also out and recorded 23 Pintail at sea, 1 red-head Smew in a dyke near Reculver, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Woodcock and 1 Grey Wagtail.

After a few overnight snow flurries it was very cold and icy this morning as I drove to Chamber's Wall. I walked up to Coldharbour and along the seawall to Reculver before walking inland at Reculver. The highlight of the morning was finding a red-head Smew in the unfrozen portion of the River Wantsum. This is a rare bird at Reculver with only a handful of records over the years.

Red-head Smew © Marc Heath

I saw a good range of other species including 16 Mute Swans, 152 Brent Geese, 12 Shelduck, 49 Mallard, 206 Teal, 54 Gadwall, 135 Wigeon, 7 Pintail W at sea, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 16 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 Grey Plovers, 2 Golden Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 11 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 21 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 1 Knot, 103 Dunlin, 12 Blackbirds, 1 Stonechat and 5 Linnets.

Common Snipe © Chris Hindle

The wind had dropped, but it was still freezing, this morning as I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back inland at Reculver. Birds seen included 33 Mute Swans, 2 Bewick's Swans, 220 Brent Geese, 5 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 75 Teal, 56 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 24 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Grebes, 15 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 16 Coot, 83 Oystercatchers, 6 Lapwings, 21 Grey Plovers, 25 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 21 Dunlin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Goldfinch and 42 Linnets.

Bewick's Swans © Chris Hindle