I started out from Shuart on an overcast day with showers threatening but it was good to be out. It appeared to be generally pretty quiet as I started down the track. As I came to one of the gaps I could see a flock of 26 Lapwing flying south west in the distance, the largest I have seen for quite a while. 5 Blackbird were on the track with a single Redwing searching for prey amongst the grass, giving some very nice views as it so. They are beautiful birds and my first good view of the autumn is always just that extra bit special.
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| Redwing |
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| Redwing |
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| Redwing |
A couple of the Blackbird were showing clear signs of moult giving both of them quite a striking appearance.
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| Blackbird |
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| Blackbird |
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| Blackbird |
Another couple of Redwing were in the hedgerow further along and 3 Greenfinch called from the back of the hedge before moving along further. There were noticeably a lot fewer Chiffchaff around than my recent visits. On nearing the railway line Skylarks were busily calling away and two small flocks of Chaffinch flew west. I was pleased to hear a Crossbill calling loudly as it flew west with another 8 heading in the same direction a short time later. As I neared the stables 11 Siskin passed overhead calling away as the flew west. I had a check of the horse paddocks and a couple of Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush were in one while Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were flitting about in several paddocks. A flash of orange amongst the mud caught my eye and I was pleased to see a Brambling in the company of 3 Chaffinch in another paddock. They are lovely birds and are always a very welcome sight and one guaranteed to lift the spirits.
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| Brambling with Chaffinch |
On reaching the sea wall a Knot was flying west out to sea and I could see 42 Turnstone roosting on the rocks with more coming in as the tide rose. There was a very smart juvenile amongst them that was later joined by a second juvenile. A Rock Pipit called as it landed on the shore briefly before moving further along.
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| Turnstone roost |
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| juvenile Turnstone |
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| two juvenile Turnstones |
Oystercatchers were moving along the shore to still exposed feeding areas giving some nice flight views as they did so.
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| Oystercatchers |
A pair of Stonechat were active on the other side of the sea wall and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew west presumably heading for one of the roosts on the beach. As I headed along towards Plumpudding I was pleased to see a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks and sat on the sea wall for a while to give me time to be able to admire it. It was a little beauty.
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| Purple Sandpiper |
Just before Plumpudding I had another sit on the sea wall so I could have a scan through the wader roost on the beach. There were 14 Curlew and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, presumably the same bird I had seen fly west earlier, tucked in with 168 Oystercatchers. I enjoyed trying for some photos of the various Turnstone that were flying past.
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| Turnstones |
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| Turnstones |
As I approached Plumpudding Island 2 Wigeon flew in and landed briefly before carrying on. 2 Mallard were roosting on one of the islands. Three Stonechat were on Plumpudding Island and 3 Meadow Pipit. The waders from the roost wheeled up as somebody walked along the beach and some of the Curlew appeared above the fence before disappearing from sight again. I always feel very sorry for the roosting birds when they are disturbed, as it must waste vital energy reserves, and here it seems to happen a lot.
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| Curlew |
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| Curlew |
A Whinchat flicked up near the waters edge and perched obligingly and then proceeded to work its way closer and I ended up getting some cracking views of one of the most confiding Whinchat I have ever come across. It was an absolute beauty and a joy to watch.
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| Whinchat |
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| Whinchat |
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| Whinchat |
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| Whinchat |
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| Whinchat |
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| Whinchat |
As I carried on towards Coldharbour a couple of Sandwich Tern flew past calling loudly and a Redshank flew up from the shore. 2 Shoveler and 1 Teal landed on the sea and 20 Mallard flew over and also settled on the water. From the land side both Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant called.
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| Shoveler and Teal |
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| Mallards |
A Little Egret was on Coldharbour and 16 Redshank were tucked into one of the banks. As I headed to Reculver I saw a Grey Heron on the edge of the dyke which was having a decidedly bad hair day as the wind ruffled up its head feathers. It was a beautifully smart bird.
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| Grey Heron |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Grey Heron |
A Rock Pipit was working its way along the shore as I neared Reculver. I had not managed to see a Short-eared Owl over the oyster farm so hopefully another time. As I passed the towers 2 Chiffchaff were in the bushes and 16 Swallow were hawking for insects above the grassy area bringing an enjoyable visit to a close.
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| Rock Pipit |
Birds seen this visit included: 9 Chiffchaff, 13 Robin, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Wood Pigeons, 26 Lapwing, 18 Swallow, 3 Magpie, 1 Moorhen, 13 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 4 Skylark, 5 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 27 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 9 Crossbill west, 5 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Reed Bunting, 3 Kestrel, 22 Meadow Pipits, 8 Mute Swan, 2 Collared Dove, 11 Pied Wagtail, Starlings, House Sparrows, 1 Wren, 11 Siskin west, 1 Knot, 88 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipit, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 184 Oystercatcher, 9 Stonechat, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Curlew, 130 Ringed Plover, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 17 Redshank, 2 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 16 Swallow,
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