Reculver Towers and Country Park Blog

Swallows at Reculver

reculver — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:46:42 +0000

There are huge gatherings of swallows, house martins and the odd sand martin at Reculver today – catching insects at the top of the cliffs, swooping over the centre, resting briefly on the wires along the lane and generally preparing for their long journey south.

It’s a really beautiful sight.

Roman Re-enactment Day

reculver — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:31:29 +0000

On Sunday 26th June, we will have some very special guests at Reculver! There will be a group of players camping overnight and playing out some Roman-Saxon skirmishes. The towers will be open for guided tours – which will offer visitors the opportunity to see a fantastic view of the coast.

At the other end of the reserve, our Sand Martins are well settled in, as are the Mining Bees and Skylarks. Other recent sightings include Gannets, Sandwich Terns, Turnstones, Little Egrets, Yellow Wagtails and Oyster Catchers.

swift, the first!

reculver — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:01:58 +0000

Lynne and I were sitting outside this morning by the centre and we saw a swift flash past at the speed of light. Later we confirmed the sighting on the Kos wesite. It is the first swift hurrah!!

28th December

reculver — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:46:34 +0000

Lots of redwings to be seen this morning. A very gloomy scene along Chambers Wall except the red berries in the scrub and the flash of the very shy redwings. Checking with the KOS website there have been 200 counted in the area. A cheerful sight on a dull day!

Supporters meeting December 3

reculver — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:32:27 +0000

This event has been cancelled due to the weather and possibly hazardous conditions on Reculver lane due to ice. We will notify asap of a new date

Harriers

reculver — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:35:16 +0000

Hey, everyone, the Harriers are back. Both Marsh and Hen Harriers have been sighted in the Reculver area. I have had a reply re the two Swallows seen around the centre grounds a couple of weeks back when I was last in. C Hindle thinks they may be of a late brood. ie “missed the last bus” (those were the days), rather than adults leaving late. Although they have been recorded as late as the first week in December, it is rare. Check out the KOS website for Velvet Scoters, my favourites, a fab pic of them flying at Reculver.

Ravens

reculver — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:45:46 +0000

Thought I would look at the species of bird totals for Reculver whilst I was waiting for my dinner to cook. Over 200, and where appropriate confirmed by the county or national rarities committees. This means it would be incredibly special if we ever had a Raven sighting. None have so far been recorded, but if they really are becoming common in the south of England……….. I still think a kebab shop would do the trick. Just the smell should entice them…..(It works for me)

Autumn watch

reculver — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:44:55 +0000

You may have seen on Autumn watch BBC, there have been Waxwings sightings which, although not a rarity, is quite special. I went to the KOS website and found that 33 have been spotted at Reculver. Also a Hooded Crow by the mussel beds. Again, pretty special. I was going to ask for a sightings board by the car park but the sheer number of species seen at reculver would probably need an arrivals and departures board the size of the one at Heathrow airport. The KOS website has pictures of the Hooded Crow and the Yellow Browed Warbler reported by a visitor recently. And also the snow buntings seen on the beach.

Wryneck

reculver — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:44:22 +0000

Just done some background reading about unusual sightings. A visitor to the centre saw a wryneck and a yellow browed warbler in his garden at Beltinge. This is the best time of year for seeing the rarer birds in gardens. Wrynecks and Warblers were mentioned especially. Er I did think he said yellow barred. it should be yellow browed. Will have to correct that in our book! I really should pay more attention!

sightings board

reculver — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:39:50 +0000

Hi everyone. Just got back from birding at Pegwell Bay, which now has the wildlife trust logo on it’s notice board. They have a super new sightings board next to the car park. I was just wondering…….