On an overcast day but with a very light south westerly wind I had a walk from Reculver to Coldharbour in the morning. The tide was just on the turn before starting to go out. A couple of Sandwich Tern were calling as I started out along the sea wall and Pied Wagtails flicked back and fore from the sea wall to the shingle. A single Whimbrel flew in from the north calling away and then flew east and a little while later another 3 also flew east. An adult Goldfinch with a couple of juveniles fed one of the youngsters as I neared giving the chance to try for a photo. They are beautiful birds.
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| Goldfinch family |
Four Curlew flew south west over the oyster farm and high above a Hobby was mugged by a Kestrel causing it to move off rapidly.
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| Curlew |
I came across 56 Sanderling, 62 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 26 Turnstone roosting at various points on the beach and saw a total of 5 Common Sandpiper on the walk to Coldharbour.
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| Sanderling and Turnstone |
The sun started to break through the clouds and as I neared Coldharbour a flock of 25 Golden Plover took to the air, lifting off from one of the fields and gave some great views as they whirled round.
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| Golden Plover |
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| Golden Plover |
A Dunlin was on Coldharbour, as were a couple of Redshank. A Common Sandpiper was feeding along a back edge and the few usual Black-headed Gulls were present.
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| Dunlin |
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| Redshank |
I enjoyed watching the Yellow Wagtails on my walk back to Reculver and every now and then a dispute would break out between one of them and a Pied Wagtail.
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| Yellow Wagtail |
Above, four Whimbrel flew west calling away, presumably the same ones that I had seen flying east earlier.
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| Whimbrel |
A Hobby flew past, having been out at sea and pursuing passing Swallows, before dropping down and streaking away over the reed beds.
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| Hobby |
I finished the visit with superb views of a Meadow Pipit as it came and fed close to me while I was sitting on the sea wall.
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Meadow Pipit |
Birds seen this visit included: 6 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, Starlings, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Little Egret, 9 Sandwich Tern, 88 Oystercatcher, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Swallow, 3 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 26 Turnstone, 4 Stonechat, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Heron, 62 Ringed Plover, 7 Corn Bunting, 4 Curlew, 3 Swift, 2 Hobby, 3 Kestrel, 56 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 25 Golden Plover, 65 Swallow, 1 Pheasant, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 30 Linnet, 2 Common Buzzard,
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