There was a very light south westerly wind and sunny intervals when I arrived at Reculver today and the tide was partially out. A Robin was on the rocks, with two more by the towers and another 2 as I came down onto the sea wall. Looking out to sea I could see 2 Bar-tailed Godwit flying in from the north and as they got closer to the shore they turned west and flew past. It made a nice start to the visit.
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
Overall it appeared to be quite quiet as I headed along the sea wall and the tide appeared to be on the turn. Another couple of Robin were in the bushes and as I looked behind me, the sun broke through and highlighted the towers with a backdrop of dark clouds and it looked beautiful.
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| Reculver |
Out to sea a Marsh Harrier flew west but unfortunately never came in any closer. Pied and Yellow Wagtail called from the shore and 6 Redshank were busy feeding in a group by the rocks.
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| Marsh Harrier |
A Rock Pipit called as it flew along the beach and 2 Wheatears were a welcome addition to the morning. One flicked up onto the sea wall before rejoining the other and continuing their search for food amongst the shingle. A Stonechat was busy insect catching on the other side of the sea wall. It does not matter how often I see Wheatear and Stonechat, I always enjoy watching them.
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| Wheatear |
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| Wheatear |
12 Swallows flew in from the north and 3 Goldfinch were feeding on the teasel heads. As I made my way up towards Coldharbour I came across 4 Bar-tailed Godwit feeding in shallow water just offshore. It was great to be able to watch a group together and relatively close in.
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
They became very alert as a loudly chatting group of cyclists approached and within moments had lifted off, veered sharply to the east and then carried on east. I would loved to have been able to watch them for a little longer but felt very lucky to have been able to enjoy the views that I did.
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
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| Bar-tailed Godwits |
As I neared Codharbour a Whimbrel flew west and Meadow Pipits were busy amongst the scrub on the shingle. Small flocks of Turnstone and Ringed Plover were on the move.
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| Whimbrel |
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| Meadow Pipit |
I sat on the sea wall for a while and 38 Mallard were out on the sea and a single Sandwich Tern flew west.
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| Mallards |
Coldharbour was very quiet when I arrived with just the usual Black-headed Gulls and 2 Redshank. As I made my way to Reculver the number of waders roosting on the shore had increased. 4 Dunlin were amongst the Turntone, Ringed Plover and Sanderling, 3 of which had their bills firmly tucked under there wings and did not appear to stir however much noise came from the sea wall as people passed.
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| Dunlin |
I finished the visit, as I neared Reculver with some nice views of Stonechat utilising both natural and man made perches.
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| Stonechat |
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| Stonechat |
Birds seen this visit included: Starlings, 6 Robin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagatil, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Linnet, 10 Reed Bunting, 6 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, Cormorants, 6 Stonechat, 15 Turnstone, 2 Wheatear, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Goldfinch, 7 Meadow Pipit, 76 Ringed Plover, 38 Mallard, 3 Sandwich Tern, 35 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 1 Wren,
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