{"id":10654,"date":"2025-02-03T16:03:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/?p=10654"},"modified":"2025-02-28T12:03:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T12:03:01","slug":"birds-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/birds-february\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds: February"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 28th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Mediterranean Gull flew over Restharrow Scrape and t<span style=\"color: #000000;\">wo <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> were around the Observatory.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10817\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10817\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10817 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2-1024x661.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2-1024x661.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2-1536x992.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Short-eared-Owl-Feb25-TFlashman-2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10817\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Short-eared Owl by T.Flashman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 27th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Two Great White Egrets were on RSPB Worth marshes and the White Wagtail was still outside the Observatory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 26th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There were a few signs of spring on the Estate with our first White Wagtail in with Pied Wagtails on the asparagus fields, two Marsh Harriers and singles of Fieldfare, Redwing, and Coal Tit passing through (perhaps en route back to breeding areas), a Chiffchaff, a pair of mating Kestrels, and now six Little Grebes on Restharrow Scrape jostling for space. Three <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> were still around the Observatory area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 25th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A grey day on New Downs but full of activity with singles of Common Sandpiper and Merlin, two Bearded Tits, and 11 Corn Buntings. A summer-plumaged Mediterranean Gull was on the Green Wall, four Pochards on Restharrow Scrape, and two <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> at the Observatory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This Thursday evening we're sure to be in for a treat with Zoe Smith from the Roy Dennis Foundation talking to us about <strong><span class=\"s2\">The Return of the White-tailed Sea Eagle to Southern England<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s2\">. In the last few years we've seen a number of these birds pass through our Recording Area. Come along for 7:30pm to get an update on the project.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 24th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting over RSPB Worth marshes in the late afternoon. The species has been noticeably absent from the area this winter. Hopefully it sticks around.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10806\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10806\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10806 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oystercatcher-Feb25-PBlanche-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oystercatchers, Lapwings, and Snipes on Restharrow Scrape by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 22nd<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Three <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> continued at the Observatory and the Dartford Warbler was still lurking in the Gorse in Restharrow Dunes. A White-fronted Goose also remained on New Downs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 21st<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ten <strong>Barnacle Geese<\/strong>, 11 White-fronted Geese, a Ringed Plover, and 12 Black-tailed Godwits were on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coming up soon John Buckingham will be delivering a special presentation at the Observatory on <strong>The Birds of Greece and it's Islands<\/strong>. We are also pleased that John has started another of his excellent online courses \"<strong>Bills &amp; Food - Nests, Eggs, and Young<\/strong>\". John will discuss bill structure and feeding techniques and then the breeding cycle, including territories and display, plus a study of the huge diversity of nests, eggs and young. All will be illustrated with John\u2019s superb quality and detailed images, plus recordings can be sent for any sessions missed. Tickets can bought for both <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tickettailor.com\/events\/sandwichbaybirdobservatory?\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Finally, don't forget that the new <strong>2025 Membership cards are now available for collection<\/strong> at the Observatory. Please drop by and pick them up from the box in the Lecture Hall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 20th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There were no reports of the Serins but it was quite wet and windy in the morning. Singles of <strong>Bittern<\/strong>, <strong>Spoonbill<\/strong>, and Great White Egret were on RSPB Worth marshes plus at least 2,500 Lapwings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 19th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At least two <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SERINS<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> were still present on the banks <\/span><\/span>at Restharrow Scrape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 18th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Singles of Coal Tit and Chiffchaff were on the Green Wall and lots of displaying birds of prey in the sunny weather. At midday there was a terrific discovery of at least three, perhaps four, <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SERINS<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> on the banks<\/span> <\/span>at Restharrow Scrape. The birds were assorting with the mobile Linnet flock and quite flighty. Best place was to go past the first hide and stand at the corner by the bench (Grid ref <b>TR36145693, <\/b>W3W\/\/ <strong>promoting.couches.snap<\/strong>) and then look down the path to the second hide. The birds fly in and alight in the Willow along the left bank before dropping down on the other side of the bank out sight. Please keep to the path at all times. Over on RSPB Worth marshes 11 White-fronted Geese were new in and there were now ten <strong>Barnacle Geese <\/strong>whilst on New Downs there was an additional White-fronted Goose and 11 Pintails.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10774\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10774\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10774 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Serins-Feb25-JBull-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10774\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Serins by J.Bull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 17th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A decent mix on RSPB Worth marshes for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bto.org\/our-science\/projects\/wetland-bird-survey\">WeBS<\/a> included <strong>Tundra Bean Goose<\/strong>, eight <strong>Barnacle Geese<\/strong>, Great White Egret, three Black-tailed Godwits, and a Green Sandpiper. Four <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> and nine Yellowhammers continued around the hay bales behind the Observatory and farm buildings and at least 80 Skylarks were recorded across the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10769\" style=\"width: 538px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10769 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG-20250215-WA0000.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"538\" height=\"356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG-20250215-WA0000.jpg 538w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG-20250215-WA0000-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tundra Bean Goose by N.Davies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 16th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Two Great White Egrets, three Water Pipits, and the <strong>Tundra Bean Goose<\/strong> were on RSPB Worth marshes. Two Woodcocks were on the Estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 15th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <strong>Tundra Bean Goose<\/strong> put in another appearance on RSPB Worth marshes and in Pegwell Bay there were four Avocets on the Garage Pool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 14th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Three Great White Egrets and two Water Pipits were noted on RSPB Worth marshes but best bird of the day was a <strong>Tundra Bean Goose<\/strong> seen briefly near Roaring Gutter. Three <strong>Tree Sparrows<\/strong> and three <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> were in and around the Observatory area.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10753\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10753\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10753 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tree-Sparrow-Jan25-SRay-926x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tree-Sparrow-Jan25-SRay-926x1024.jpg 926w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tree-Sparrow-Jan25-SRay-271x300.jpg 271w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tree-Sparrow-Jan25-SRay-768x849.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tree-Sparrow-Jan25-SRay.jpg 1278w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tree Sparrow by S.Ray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 13th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">RSPB Worth marshes held a Great White Egret, two Egyptian Geese, two Barn Owls, and 31 Pochards, with three more of the latter on the Green Wall and another on Restharrow Scrape making a good total of 35 in the area currently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Please note new <strong>2025 Membership cards are now available for collection<\/strong> at the Observatory. Please drop by and pick them up from the box in the Lecture Hall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 12th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An Alexandrine Parakeet was an odd sight on the Estate, dwarfing the Ring-necked Parakeets with it. This bird has been touring the area on and off for at least six years now. The three <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> were still at the Observatory, over 150 Fieldfares were feeding in the asparagus fields, and a Firecrest was in The Elms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Tuesday 11th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Dartford Warbler was more active today and showed ok around Restharrow Scrape and the Gorse bushes in Restharrow Dunes. Around the Observatory there were at least 75 Chaffinches and the flock of four <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coming up soon John Buckingham will be delivering a special presentation at the Observatory on <strong>The Birds of Greece and it's Islands<\/strong>. We are also pleased that John will be starting another of his excellent online courses \"<strong>Bills &amp; Food - Nests, Eggs, and Young<\/strong>\". John will discuss bill structure and feeding techniques and then the breeding cycle, including territories and display, plus a study of the huge diversity of nests, eggs and young. All will be illustrated with John\u2019s superb quality and detailed images. Tickets can bought for both <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tickettailor.com\/events\/sandwichbaybirdobservatory?\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 10th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A <strong>Cattle Egret<\/strong> was near the Observatory again and a Caspian Gull was offshore.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 8th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Despite lots of Red-throated Diver seen off North Foreland only a handful passed us, though two Caspian Gulls came by the beach and a distant small Grebe spied (most likely a Black-necked). Two Water Pipits and a Great White Egret were on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 7th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A few Kittiwakes and Fulmars came past offshore in the strong winds and a Pochard was new on Restharrow Scrape. Three <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> remained at the Observatory.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10686\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10686\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10686 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pochard-Jan25-PBlanche-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10686\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pochard by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 6th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was a small increase in Chiffchaffs in the area, still too early for an arrival of spring birds so most likely wintering birds that have begun to get more active. The Dartford Warbler was reported again in Restharrow Dunes and a <strong>Tawny Owl<\/strong> was also calling on the Green Wall after dark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 5th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A brief <strong>Bittern<\/strong> was the star of the show as it flew unexpectedly out of a ditch on RSPB Worth marshes. The regular flock of 40 White-fronted Geese and two <strong>Barnacle Geese<\/strong> were in the field north of the Chequers and two <strong>Tree Sparrows<\/strong> and ten Yellowhammers around the hay bales down from the Observatory. Four <strong>Cattle Egrets<\/strong> were also present around the Observatory and in the asparagus fields.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 4th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Peregrine spent the whole day hunting and causing havoc over the Estate and Willow Farm and a Redshank on Restharrow Scrape was a rare record for the site these days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This Thursday we have a great presentation ahead of us with David Lodge talking about the Bitterns at Stodmarsh. We also have a upcoming walks to East Blean Woods and Godmersham, whilst most excitingly a two-day art course with renowned bird artist Steve Cale will go ahead on 19th and 20th September. Tickets are already going fast for the latter. To get tickets go <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tickettailor.com\/events\/sandwichbaybirdobservatory?\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 3rd<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The goose flock was just north of the Chequers\/Greenacres in the morning and contained two <strong>Barnacle<\/strong>, seven Canada, and 32 White-fronted in with the Greylag Geese. A lone <strong>Cattle Egret<\/strong> was at the Observatory and four Water Pipits were on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10655\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10655\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10655 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay-1536x860.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/White-fronted-Geese-Jan25-SRay.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10655\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">White-fronted and Greylag Geese by S.Ray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 2nd<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A thick frost overnight with temperatures reaching almost minus 5 degrees. New Downs held two Egyptian Geese and three Pintails with good views of Peregrine and Raven tussling overhead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 1st<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Eight White-fronted Geese were on RSPB Worth marshes and three Caspian Gulls in Pegwell Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Friday 28th A Mediterranean Gull flew over Restharrow Scrape and two Cattle Egrets were around the Observatory. Thursday 27th Two Great White Egrets were on RSPB Worth marshes and the White Wagtail was still outside the Observatory. Wednesday 26th There were a few signs of spring on the Estate with our first White Wagtail in with Pied Wagtails on the&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":10640,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sightingsbirds"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>- Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As an accredited bird observatory and registered charity SBBOT is committed to the conservation and recording of the natural environment in the Sandwich Bay area\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"- Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As an accredited bird observatory and registered charity SBBOT is committed to the conservation and recording of the natural environment in the Sandwich Bay area\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/birds-february\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-03T16:03:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-28T12:03:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Yellowhammer-Jan25-SRay-1024x810.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"810\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Steffan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Steffan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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