November 2021

A total of 106 species were recorded during the month, above the ten-year average of 102.2 species. Interesting to note that the total for this month exceeded that for a very poor September this year ! The highlight of the month was the sites third record of Black Guillemot. The bird was seen on 4th, 11th and 20th and was a very popular twitch on the latter two dates. This was the first twitchable one since a bird at Reculver in December 1995. A first for the site was a Siberian Chiffchaff which was seen from 12th-17th and again on 23rd-24th. Other birds of note included two Shore Larks on 11th and two male Hen Harriers on 22nd. A flock of 188 Sanderlings on 17th was a record count for the site.

167 species so far this year

175 species by this time last year

30th

Cloudy, milder with a moderate westerly wind. A Red-throated Diver flew east. Waders roosting between the groynes included 64 Ringed Plovers, 41 Sanderlings and 64 Dunlin. Other birds noted included the pair of Stonechats, a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff and a Long-tailed Tit and 10 Linnets along the shingle ridge.

29th

Sunny, cold with a moderate westerly wind. A Red-throated Diver flew west, a juvenile Gannet flew west close inshore, two Shelducks and a pair of Wigeon flew west, a duck Eider and two duck Common Scoters flew east and a redhead Goldeneye flew west at 8.08 am, and drake Goosanders flew west at 11.12 and 11.30 am. Waders included two Golden Plovers, a Lapwing and a Bar-tailed Godwit west, a Woodcock over the Obs, a Grey Plover on the beach and 16 Sanderlings on Hampton flats. Other birds included the male Stonechat and a Song Thrush that circled the Obs.

28th

Sunny, cold with a fresh NW wind. A redhead Goosander flew west at 11.50 am and a party of 15 Kittiwakes also flew west. The pair of Stonechats were by the Obs and a Jay was in trees along the upper brook.

Jay – Geoff Burton
Stonechat – Geoff Burton

26th

Cloudy, light rain, moderate westerly wind. A Slavonian Grebe flew west close inshore at 10.18 am. A Red-throated Diver flew east, a Little Egret was on the beach and two Grey Herons were on the tidal ponds and c230 Brent Geese were on the beach. Five Lapwings flew west low over the sea and a Marsh Harrier flew west inland. Other birds noted included a Grey Wagtail, the pair of Stonechats, a Chiffchaff, four Long-tailed Tits and 17 Linnets over the shingle ridge.

25th

The Black Brant was seen again and a Merlin flew west.

24th

Cloudy, cold, calm. A Black-throated Diver came in from east and was feeding close inshore. There were four Great Crested Grebes offshore, five Shelducks flew east and there were two Little Egrets on the beach and three Grey Herons on the tidal ponds. A Black Brant was seen amongst a flock of 165 Dark-bellied Brent Geese of which seven were noted as juveniles. Single Guillemot and Razorbill were offshore. Other birds included a female Stonechat in the scrub by Lang Court, two Fieldfares that dropped into the bushes by the Obs and an elusive, or rare, Song Thrush. A Chiffchaff and the Siberian Chiffchaff were present and ten Linnets were over the shingle ridge.

23rd

A Great Northern Diver and a Red-necked Grebe were offshore and three Eiders flew west. There were 12 Golden Plovers on the beach and a Grey Plover flew west. A flock of 20+ Redwings dropped into the trees behind the Obs and the Siberian Chiffchaff was seen in the hawthorn by the sluice.

22nd

Sunny, cold with a fresh northerly wind. 22 Red-throated Divers flew east, a Great Crested Grebe was offshore, a Greylag Goose flew west high over the sea, six Shelducks flew west, a female Pintail landed on the sea with five Common Scoters, a flock of five Velvet Scoters flew east (also seen at Hampton and Reculver) and two more singles also flew east. Two male Hen Harriers that flew west early morning and at 10.05 am were an addition to the year list. One Great Skua flew west and three flew east together, many Kittiwakes flew west, a Razorbill and many large auk sp flew east. Waders included 55 Lapwings and eight Golden Plovers west and 63 Ringed Plovers roosting between the groynes. Other birds included the male Stonechat in the bushes opposite the Obs and a Rook circling high over the area and drifting inland.

20th

Cloudy, mild, light westerly wind. Five Red-throated Divers flew east and a Black-throated Diver was offshore. There were 267 Brent Geese on the beach, a Common Scoter flew west and an immature Goldeneye was offshore. The flat calm sea proved ideal for the return of the first-winter Black Guillemot (last seen on 11th) and many visiting birders, who had previously missed out, were able to add this to their lists. Waders included 34 Ringed Plovers, four Sanderlings and 16 Redshanks on the beach. Three Razorbills were also seen. Other birds included a Little Grebe, two Grey Herons, a male Kingfisher along the middle brook, a Grey Wagtail along the upper brook, a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff and five Siskins that flew west.

Black Guillemot – Andy Taylor
Goldeneye – Andy Taylor

19th

The three Black-throated Divers were seen again, one Red-breasted Merganser was along the shoreline and a party of six redhead Goosanders flew west. They were also seen from the Tankerton slopes and on the Swale west of the Sportsman at Seasalter. They then flew further west towards Oare Marshes. Two Swallows flew west.

18th

Sunny with a light SW wind. There has been some discussion about the status of the Black-throated Diver in Kent and whether it should be regarded as sufficiently rare for the KOS to require a description of any record if it was to be published in their annual report. Today, we had three together close inshore off the Obs which drifted slowly east. Black-throated has definitely been the rarest of our three regular species at this site although single bird sightings are more or less annual. To see three together and close range on a fairly calm see was magical! There were 40+ Gannets fishing offshore, 202 Brent Geese on the beach, five Shelducks flew west, two Common Scoters flew east and two Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore. There were two Guillemots and a Razorbill on the sea. Other birds included the female Stonechat, two Chiffchaffs and a Brambling.

17th

Cloudy but brightening with a light WNW wind. There were two Red-throated Divers and a Great Crested Grebe offshore. Waders included a record count of 188 Sanderlings roosting in a tight but agitated huddle and there were also 64 Ringed Plovers and 23 Dunlin roosting as well. A juvenile Little Gull flew west and single Kittiwake and Guillemot were also present. A Little Grebe, a Kingfisher and our first Water Rail of the season were along the middle brook. Other birds noted included the pair of Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs and the Siberian Chiffchaff and a party of 14 Siskins west low over the sea.

A Red Admiral butterfly and a Common Darter dragonfly were also seen.

Water Rail – Geoff Burton

16th

Several parties of Red-throated Divers flew east and a Goldeneye was seen. A Guillemot was on the sea and a late Sandwich Tern was fishing off the Obs. There were also two late Swallows and another appearance of the Siberian Chiffchaff.

15th

Cloudy, very dull, calm. A Great Northern Diver and a Red-necked Grebe were offshore. Wildfowl included eight Shelduck west, and six east, 30 Wigeon and a Gadwall west, a Teal west and another on the sea, nine Eider west and a drake and a Velvet Scoter in the company of c15 Common Scoters. There were also three Red-breasted Mergansers east and one on the sea. Waders included one Lapwing west and 56 Ringed Plovers, 86 Sanderlings and 16 Dunlin on the beach. Ten Snipe were flushed from the Marsh Pool where 16 Redshanks were roosting. One Great Skua and 30 Little Gulls flew west and there were two Razorbills on the sea. Other birds included a Kingfisher, two Skylarks, two Chiffchaffs and the Siberian Chiffchaff, there was a small westerly movement of Chaffinches, a few Bramblings, three Redpolls and 15 Linnets were on the shingle ridge.

13th

Cloudy with a fresh SW wind slackening. Two Red-throated Divers, three Great Crested Grebes, three Wigeon and two Common Scoters flew west. Waders included 62 Ringed Plovers, 18 Sanderlings and ten Dunlin roosting on the beach. Six Little Gulls flew west, there were ten Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach and a Guillemot close inshore. The Siberian Chiffchaff was again at the Obs, three Swallows were seen and there were 12 Pied Wagtails on the beach.

12th

A pair of Goldeneyes lingered close inshore off the skate park. A Siberian Chiffchaff, of which there have been many in the county and the country this autumn, was a new sub-species for the site. It showed well by the Obs and the distinctive dunnock-like call was heard.

Siberian Chiffchaff – Andy Taylor

11th

Cloudy, calm and mild. This Autumn it seems that the best sea-watching results come from flat calm seas rather than storms driven ones. Today was a case in point when Andy picked out a Black Guillemot mid distance offshore at about 9.30 am. It was presumably the same bird seen briefly on 4th but this was hanging about on a flat calm sea. It was twitchable and as the first twitchable one since the 1996 bird at Reculver it was very popular. It showed well for a couple of hours before being lost to view. However, there was adequate distraction nearby when a Pied Wheatear was found at Reculver a few miles to the east. Whilst many birders were at Reculver, the news came through that the Black Guillemot was showing again at Swalecliffe. So, the first twitchable Black Guillemot for 25 years and the first Pied Wheatear for 27 years made for a memorable day, particularly for Kent Listers. The sea also produced a Black-throated Diver, a pair of Goldeneye and three Guillemots whilst ten Mute Swans , two Common Scoters and an Egyptian Goose flew west. Early morning, the Mandarin Duck was on the Marsh Pool and eight Great Black-backed Gulls were on the beach. Best of the rest were two Snow Buntings west (per Rob Stokes) and the pair of Stonechats, a Fieldfare and a Reed Bunting were also seen.

Shore Larks – Andy Taylor
Rock Pipit – Andy Taylor
Pied Wheatear at Reculver – Geoff Burton

10th

Cloudy, calm, mild. There were four Great Crested Grebes offshore and 40+ Gannets on the becalmed sea, some fishing. A redhead Goldeneye landed on the sea by the Obs and then flew east, three Velvet Scoters landed on the sea and 27 Common Scoters flew west. A flock of c40 grey geese (suspected White-fronts) appeared high to east and headed NW out to sea. Waders included 11 Lapwings west and 30 Dunlin on the beach and 12 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. The drake Mandarin Duck was again on the Marsh Pool early morning. One Guillemot was on the sea. Two Shore Larks, our first this year, landed on the shingle ridge early afternoon but were soon lost to sight. Other birds included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, seven Pied Wagtails on the football pitch, two Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs and 12 Siskins west.

We were joined on our seawatch by Britain’s largest hoverfly, Volucella zonaria, which mimics a hornet.

Volucella zonaria – Geoff Burton

9th

A Black-throated Diver was offshore and a Buzzard drifted north mid-morning.

8th

There was a “notable” increase in Great Crested Grebes offshore, a “few” Common Scoters and a high count of 38 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool where 16 Snipe were revealed when flushed. There were two Razorbills on the sea. A Rock Pipit was noted and finches included a “few” Chaffinches overhead, two Bramblings and Siskins and Redpolls were also seen.

7th

Sunny with a light westerly wind. One Red-throated Diver and three Common Scoters flew east, an adult Mute Swan flew south low over the area, a Shelduck flew west and there were six Great Crested Grebes offshore. Waders on the beach included 21 Oystercatchers, 63 Ringed Plovers and 12 Dunlin and there were five Snipe and 20 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. A female Pheasant was also seen on the edge of the pool. Two Little Gulls flew west and there were two Razorbills offshore. Other birds noted included two Stock Doves west, 11 Pied Wagtails on the football pitch, a flock of 11 Jackdaws west, a Chiffchaff and 12 Linnets.

6th

Cloudy, light SW wind. Two Red-throated Divers flew west, three Great Crested Grebes flew west, there were another three on the sea and a drake Wigeon flew east. Two Mute Swans were seen and there were 120 Brent Geese on the sea at high tide. Waders included 55 Lapwings and 30 Golden Plovers west, 50+ Curlews heading towards the fields behind the cravan park to roost and two Snipe and 20 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. One Guillemot was on the sea. Other birds included our first movement of Fieldfares with 140 west early in the morning, 30 Skylarks west, a westerly movement of Chaffinches and a few Bramblings and Siskins.

4th

Sunny, cold with a strong NW wind. The morning started well with the appearance of a Black Guillemot which landed on the sea in front of the Obs but, in the high waves, was soon lost to sight. This was only the third record for the site (after an adult in summer plumage in August 2002 and a winter plumage bird in December 2006). These two were just seen flying west. Other birds on the move included 13 Shelduck and a duck Wigeon west ( a drake Wigeon appeared on the Marsh Pool later) and six Teal also west. Eight Lapwing, three Great Skuas and nine Little Gulls also flew west. Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill were also noted. 40 Skylarks also flew west.

Wigeon – Geoff Burton

3rd

Sunny, a touch of frost, light NW wind. There was a single Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe offshore, 210 Brent Geese on the beach and four Teal and seven Common Scoters flew west. A Mediterranean Gull was offshore, three Kittiwakes and a Great Skua flew west whilst a few larger auks included both Guillemot and Razorbill. Waders included 47 Ringed Plovers roosting between the groynes, seven Sanderlings on the beach and a Snipe and 21 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. Other birds included two Stock Doves and seven Skylarks west but, more significantly, a good movement of finches, Chaffinches, unprecedented numbers of Bramblings, including one flock of 60 birds and a total of c150, two Greenfinches, 60 Siskins and five Redpolls. Also noted were Kingfisher, two Redwings and a Reed Bunting.

Two Red Admirals were also seen.

2nd

A Marsh Harrier flew west, Teal and Red-breasted Merganser were amongst the wildfowl noted and a Razorbill was on the sea. A Kingfisher and a Brambling were also seen.

1st

Sunny with a moderate SW wind. There were two Red-throated Divers, a Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Eiders offshore. Two adult Mute Swans flew west, there were 93 Brent Geese on the beach and Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser were also recorded. The drake Mandarin Duck was also present again on the Marsh Pool where there were also two Snipe and 17 Redshanks. Other waders included 57 Ringed Plovers, 22 Sanderlings and a single Dunlin roosting between the groynes and 50 Curlews roosting on the fields behind the caravan park. An immature Marsh Harrier flew west at 10.30 am, an adult Kittiwake flew west, five Sandwich Terns flew east, with four west later, and there were four Razorbills on the sea. Other birds noted included a Little Grebe in the Brook, c30 Swallows, a Rock Pipit in the remnant brook, a Grey Wagtail by the sluice, two Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs, a Jay, a Rook, c50 Carrion Crows on the shingle ridge and two Reed Buntings west.

December 2021

A total of 169 species so far this year

176 species by this time last year

31st

Cloudy, exceptionally mild, fresh SW wind. A Great Northern Diver, a Shag, three Eiders and eight Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore, seven White-fronted Geese flew west over the sea in a repeat of yesterday’s movement and a female Common Scoter also flew west. Waders included a flock of 120 Lapwings flying high west over the sea, 20 Golden Plovers flying west just above the waves, 51 Ringed Plovers, 65 Sanderlings and 74 Dunlin roosting between the groynes and 30 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was also on the Marsh Pool.

30th

Cloudy, fresh SW wind. Seven White-fronted Geese flew west low over the sea, a drake Shelduck flew west, the three “resident” duck Eiders were offshore with seven Red-breasted Mergansers. Waders included 60 Ringed Plovers and 100 Sanderlings roosting between the groynes, 15 Golden Plovers and a flock of seven Curlews west, and a high count of 38 Redshanks roosting on the Marsh Pool. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were with Black-headed Gulls close inshore and 280 of the latter were counted there and on the Marsh Pool. There were also 30 Common Gulls in the flock, all adults. Away from the sea, it has been very quiet with a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Long-tailed Tit heard at the Obs, nine Goldfinches along the east bank and four Linnets.

29th

Cloudy, showers and a light SW wind. A Slavonian Grebe was close inshore west of the skate park, five Great Crested Grebes, the three Eiders and six Red-breasted Mergansers were also offshore and a single adult Gannet flew east. The wader roost between the groynes at the eastern end of the site consisted of 62 Ringed Plovers and 108 Dunlin whilst, as the tide receded, 55 Sanderlings fed along the shoreline. 22 Snipe were visible along the edge of the Marsh Pool. A count of gulls included 175 Herring Gulls, 21 Common Gulls, all adults, but only one adult Great Black-backed Gull. Numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls have been very low this winter so far; the highest count for this species was 132 on 7th December 2015. Other birds noted included the pair of Stonechats in the grassland, nine Goldfinches along the east bank and four Linnets.

28th

The three Eiders and three Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore, 80 Golden Plovers flew west and 38 Snipe were flushed, by an unseen hand, from the Marsh Pool.

27th

A Black-throated Diver and three Eider were offshore, there were 40 Teal, including a flock of 24 that landed on the sea and, by 10 am, numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers had built up to 13. A flock of 72 Lapwings circled over the area with a Golden Plover in tow.

24th-26th

There were no reports for these three days. The weather was unseasonably, mild, murky and sometimes wet. Nevertheless, Andy was able note a few birds from his westerly balcony. Similar fayre: Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe and Velvet Scoter, three Eiders and up to Seven Red-breasted Mergansers and, on Boxing Day, possibly due to shooting activities, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Pintail!

23rd

Cloudy, milder with a light SW wind. Two Mute Swans flew west close inshore, a Shelduck flew west, three Teal landed on the beach and there were six Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Waders included 23 Lapwings resting on the tidal ponds, 11 Sanderlings on the beach and 12 Snipe on the Marsh Pool. Other birds included a female Kingfisher along Coot Strait, the pair of Stonechats opposite the Obs, a Song Thrush in the bushes opposite the Obs and two female Reed Buntings in a bush in the grassland.

22nd

Sunny, calm with a hard frost. Three duck Eider were resting offshore, there were five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and a immature Common Scoter flew west close inshore. Whilst watching the Eider, we found a Puffin close inshore and clearly visible on the flat calm sea directly off the Obs. This was at about 9 am and the bird drifted slowly west and further out until lost to sight. It was reported twice in the afternoon off the Tankerton slopes. Although this was the second of the month (after one west on 1st), it was only the 10th record for the site (all on dates between 30th October and this the latest to be recorded). Nevertheless, ten records at this site, and others along the Swale as far as Oare Marshes, suggest this stretch of coast gives one of the best chances of seeing this bird in Kent. Waders included nine Lapwings on the beach and 30 Oystercatchers on the shingle ridge on the incoming tide. Other birds included a Skylark west, a Stonechat and 14 Linnets.

21st

There were 40+ Red-throated Divers offshore, a Shag was off the tidal ponds, 23 Shelduck flew west and there were seven Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea.

20th

Cloudy, light easterly wind. A Shag was close inshore off the Obs with a Red-necked Grebe further out. Two Shelduck flew west, two Velvet Scoters flew west at 9.10 am with another three west at 1.45 pm. There were four drake Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea and a redhead Goosander flew west over the beach. Waders included 17 Oystercatchers and 48 Sanderlings roosting on the beach and a controlled flush of the Marsh Pool revealed c40 Snipe. Two Guillemots were offshore. Other birds noted included a female Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, female Stonechat, Chiffchaff and a female Reed Bunting.

Velvet Scoters – Andy Taylor

18th

Cloudy, murky with a light easterly wind. Two Mute Swans flew west but the highlight of the morning was when two Black Swans dropped onto the Marsh Pool at 10.45 am where they remained for an hour and 20 minutes before heading off west. Never recorded at the site before, there are fairly regular sightings in the county whilst one suggestion was that they may have come from the Netherlands where there is, apparently quite a “healthy” population. The winds were from the east and there had been an influx of Russian White-fronted Geese! A Great Northern Diver and the Shag were offshore, five Teal included three which joined up with a group of seven Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and one Common Scoter flew east. There were 27 Sanderlings on the beach, and 13 Snipe on the Marsh Pool. A Great Skua and two Kittiwakes flew east. Other birds noted included Kingfisher, the pair of Stonechats, a Chiffchaff at the Obs, 15 Linnets on the shingle ridge and the female Reed Bunting.

Black Swans – Andy Taylor

17th

A Great Northern Diver flew east, the Shag was offshore and a female Marsh Harrier flew NW.

16th

Cloudy, mild and flat calm. There were lots of Red-throated Divers and 10+ Great Crested Grebes offshore, the Shag was close inshore by the Obs, there were 58 Brent Geese resting on the sea, 15 Teal flew west and a redhead Red-breasted Merganser circled around by the Obs and flew off west. The drake Mandarin Duck was again on the Marsh Pool early morning when 27 Mallard flew off from there and 14 Snipe were visible. An adult Mediterranean Gull, feeding with Black-headed Gulls offshore and later on the beach, was the first seen here this month. 17 Common Gulls, present on the Marsh Pool and the adjacent beach, were all adults. Other birds noted included the female Stonechat, a Chiffchaff along the east bank, 20 Linnets and the female Reed Bunting.

A Water Vole was seen along the middle brook.

15th

Cloudy, poor visibility, mild, light SW wind. The drake Mandarin Duck was present again on the Marsh Pool early morning. There were also 38 Mallard on the pool. A Shag was present close inshore and three adult Gannets and two Common Scoters flew east. Waders included 64 Ringed Plovers, 81 Sanderlings and 71 Dunlin roosting between groynes, a lone Lapwing on the shingle spit and 16 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. A Guillemot was offshore. Other birds included a Chiffchaff at the Obs, 14 Linnets on the shingle ridge and the female Reed Bunting along the coastal path.

Shag – Andy Taylor
Little Egret – Geoff Burton

14th

The three drake Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and a Marsh Harrier flew west.

Grey Wagtail – Andy Taylor

13th

Cloudy, calm, mild. There were two Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver and three Great Crested Grebes offshore. A Shag was close inshore, a Greylag Goose flew west, two immature drake Eiders flew east, three drake Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and three Common Scoters were also seen. Waders included a roosting flock of 149 Sanderlings between the groynes and seven Snipe and 12 Redshanks were on the Marsh Pool. Other birds included a Water Rail along the middle brook, two Grey Wagtails at Lang Court, the pair of Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs, including one calling from the bluethroat bush, 73 Carrion Crows on the beach and a male Brambling and a Corn Bunting together in the bushes opposite the Obs.

Corn Bunting – Andy Taylor
Water Rail – Andy Taylor

11th

Cloudy with a light SW wind. There were three Great Crested Grebes and four Red-breasted Mergansers (three drakes) offshore, eight Shelduck and a flock of 40 Lapwings flew west. A squawk of a Ring-necked Parakeet was heard from the upper brook and then the bird was located in the trees by Lang Court. It flew off west. A new bird for the year list. Other birds noted included a Water Rail along the middle brook, found by visiting Rob Stokes and Andrew Edwards, and last seen (if it was the same bird) on 17th November. Another returnee was the Siberian Chiffchaff in the lone hawthorn bush by the sluice which also had not been seen since 17th November. Also noted were a Fieldfare, the two Stonechats, Little Grebe, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail along the middle brook, 14 Linnets and a female Reed Bunting.

Siberian Chiffchaff – Andy Taylor

10th

Sunny, strong NW wind. Classic conditions for sea watching but not in December. Most of the birds we would hope for earlier, in the Autumn, are now off the west coast of Africa. One Red-throated Diver, one Great Crested Grebe, , three Gadwall and three Golden Plovers flew west. The female Stonechat and two Chiffchaffs were at the Obs.

9th

Cloudy, moderate SW wind. A Slavonian Grebe, four Great Crested Grebes and a drake Red-breasted Merganser were offshore, a duck Teal was on the sea and another four flew west. Two female Marsh Harriers appeared offshore and joined together to fly west. Waders included 43 Ringed Plovers and a Grey Plover on the Hampton flats and 40 Sanderlings on the beach. A Razorbill was on the sea. Other birds included a Chiffchaff at the Obs and a Reed Bunting.

Water Vole – Andy Taylor

8th

Sunny, moderate SW wind. A Black-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe were offshore. A Little Egret was on the Marsh Pool and a Grey Heron on the tidal ponds. Waders included 27 Oystercatchers on the beach, 50 Golden Plovers flying west in a number of groups and eight Snipe and eight Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. One Razorbill flew east. Other birds included a Little Grebe, a Kingfisher and two Grey Wagtails in the brook, a Chiffchaff at the Obs and a Redpoll west.

7th

There were eight Red-throated Divers and two drake Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea. A Buzzard flew over the caravan park and two Grey Wagtails were seen again.

6th

Cloudy, light SW wind. A Great Northern Diver on the sea flew off west. There were three Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool and the beach and a Grey Heron on the tidal ponds. Waders included 22 Oystercatchers on the beach, 49 Ringed Plovers roosting between the groynes, 13 Curlews on the Hampton flats and eight Snipe on the Marsh Pool. A Marsh Harrier flew west over the sea and a Buzzard drifted south over the estate. A Razorbill flew east. Other birds included a Kingfisher, two Grey Wagtails, a Skylark and a Chiffchaff.

4th

Cloudy then sunny, moderate westerly wind. A Great Northern Diver and four Great Crested Grebes flew west and a drake Red-breasted Merganser and a redhead Goosander were offshore. There were 20 Oystercatchers on the shingle ridge at high tide and a Grey Plover on the beach. A Merlin flew low west behind the caravan park and through the estate. Other birds included a Chiffchaff at the Obs and five Long-tailed Tits in the Elm Wood.

2nd

Sunny periods, cold with a fresh westerly wind. There were three Red-throated Divers offshore and a Great Northern Diver and a Great Crested Grebe flew west. A drake Wigeon, with two Teal, and five Common Scoters flew west. A drake Red-breasted Merganser was on the sea and two single drake Goosanders flew west. One Great Skua flew west, a Kittiwake flew east and a Razorbill flew west. Other birds included two Stock Doves west and a Kingfisher along the upper brook.

Great Black-backed Gull – Geoff Burton

1st

Cloudy with a fresh westerly wind. A very poor start to the month was enlivened by a Puffin which flew west at 10.38 am. New for the year and only our ninth record for the site. One Red-throated Diver and two Common Scoters flew west, there were three Little Grebes, including two together resting in the middle brook by rail corner. Roosting waders included 50 Ringed Plovers, 63 Sanderlings and 81 Dunlin, with five Snipe and ten Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. Other birds included a female Great Spotted Woodpecker in the churchyard, the female Stonechat, a Chiffchaff at the Obs and 14 Linnets along the shingle ridge.