Plenty to See at Reculver

With the clocks going back last night and lighter mornings for a week or so, I made the most of it and was out of the house this morning at 5.45am where I decided early on to see if I could beat my 71 species I managed yesterday. I had a drive around the lanes in the dark and manged to see 1 Barn Owl near Brook and heard 1 Little Owl a while later at Shuart. I walked the same circuit as the past few days and in lovely sunshine for most of the session with light winds, I managed a creditable 73 species. I missed a few species I should have seen like Stock Dove, Feral Pigeon and if I had given it longer, i'm sure the sea would have provided a few more birds. Having said that, I saw a few bits of quality again and the following birds were noted: 4 Red legged Partridge, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Brambling, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, c40 Lapwing, 7 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron and 6 Stonechat. A look at the bushes near Shuart crossing provided 1 Dartford Warbler which showed well briefly before it continued its following of the local Stonechats. There were 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Long tailed Tit, 12 Swallow west, c30 Turnstone, c50 Oystercatcher, 9 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Rock Pipit, c45 Sanderling, 32 Ringed Plover, 10 Brent Geese, 5 Curlew, 4 Grey Plover, 4 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 21 Golden Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear showed nicely on the beach and the session was nicely finished off with 1 Firecrest that showed briefly as I walked back to the car down Shuart Lane. A super morning to be out and about and nice to see a few good birds and get a few photos. Hopefully I will be able to get out early morning in the week a few times if i'm lucky.

Grey Plover 

Wheatear

Firecrest