September 2008
Reculver and Chambers Wall.
27/09/08
Lesser Whitethroat at Reculver this morning.
A change today, and a visit to the coast, looking for Autumn migrants. I visited the caravan park bushes, at Reculver, arriving at 9 am, hoping to see the previously reported Yellow-browed Warbler, but with no luck. The morning was not wasted, as there were lots of birds to be seen, and around the perimeter of the caravan park, I recorded 3 Pied Fly-catchers, 1 Spotted Fly-catcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, and a Garden Warbler. Also a Reed and a Sedge Warbler was seen, with Wren, Blackbird, Blue and Great Tits, and several Robins. There was a nice number of Chiffchaffs feeding in the trees, with a few Chaffinches and 2 Goldcrest as well. Two Sparrow Hawks were noted, and as I left the caravan park, 7 Fieldfare flew over, heading in an Easterly direction, my first of the Autumn. I then visited the fisherman’s car park area of Chambers wall, where on arrival two birders from the Dungeness RSPB reserve had previously caught sight of a Yellow-browed Warbler, but after looking for 20 minutes, and only seeing Goldcrest and Blackcaps, I ventured off towards the railway line, with a Goldcrest allowing some photographs, and 1 of at least 5 Common Redstarts letting me get a picture, although from a distance. Another 2 Sparrow Hawks were seen, and much the same as Reculver was recorded, but with several Goldcrest in the bushes. Also there was a high number of Chiffs in the area. I thought I saw another Pied Fly-catcher, but I only had a fleeting glance before it disappeared. A great walk in warm sunshine, with a few nice birds on show. As I left, a Grey Heron dropped into a dyke by the river Wantsum.