{"id":12680,"date":"2025-10-01T15:36:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T15:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/?p=12680"},"modified":"2025-11-03T09:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T09:10:59","slug":"birds-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/birds-october\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds: October"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Friday 31st<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A <strong>Great Northern Diver<\/strong> was offshore along with 300 Gannets, a Razorbill, four Sandwich Terns, and 25 Kittiwakes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Thursday 30th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GLOSSY IBIS<\/strong> <\/span>on the path at Roaring Gutter was a strange sight on RSPB Worth marshes. There were a handful of Redpolls and Siskins around the area, plus a Firecrest on the Estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12900\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12900\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12900 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Red-throated-Diver-Oct25-TFlashman.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12900\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red-throated Diver by T.Flashman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Wednesday 29th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Black Redstart was at Sandilands and a Dartford Warbler still at Dickson's corner. A <strong>Black-throated Diver<\/strong> drifted south offshore and just shy of 3,000 Starlings were seen coming in off the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Tuesday 28th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The wind gradually dropped throughout the day. A good flock of 60 Redpolls were around the Estate first thing, plus singles of Merlin, Firecrest, and Brambling. On RSPB Worth marshes one <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GLOSSY IBIS<\/strong><\/span> was seen briefly. At least 175 Fieldfares were across the site, 35 Crossbills flew over, and a smart male Hen Harrier flew through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Monday 27th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A <strong>Bean Goose sp<\/strong> was reported flying north and a <strong>Velvet Scoter<\/strong> was sat offshore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sunday 26th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bird of the day was a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Shorelark<\/strong> <\/span>which was seen intermittently near the Lodge at Prince's Golf Course. It was very mobile and unfortunately flew off south towards the Estate, and not re-found. A Marsh Harrier came in off the sea and 29 Crossbills flew north, whilst two <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GLOSSY IBISES<\/strong><\/span> and a Water Pipit were on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Saturday 25th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was a surprising amount of activity offshore in the afternoon with singles of <strong>Pomarine Skua<\/strong>\u00a0and Arctic Skua, four Arctic Terns, seven Common terns, and 20 Sandwich Terns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Friday 24th<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Storm Benjamin was now past us leaving a nice and sunny day behind, albeit rather cold. There were 27 Goldcrests, six Firecrests, a Bullfinch, ten Crossbills, a Brambling, three Ravens, a Coal Tit, and a Black Redstart on the Estate. Two Water Pipits were on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12855\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12855\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12855 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ringed-Plover-Oct25-NSmith-2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12855\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ringed Plovers by N.Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Thursday 23rd<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some truly shocking weather today but we scraped together a handful of sightings. A few Swallows went through and a few Sandwich Terns were offshore, a Brambling was in the Obs carpark, a Peregrine flew over, and a Ruff was on Restharrow Scrape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Wednesday 22nd<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Dartford Warbler was again by the Drove and five Firecrests were around the Estate. A further two Firecrests and six Greenshanks were on New Downs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Tuesday 21st<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The good autumn passage of crests continued with 30 Goldcrests and four Firecrests on the Estate. Five Crossbills flew north and a Dartford Warbler was in the small gorse patch on Royal Cinque Ports Golf Course between the Drove and the Chequers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 20th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There were still plenty of Goldcrests around, at least 43 of which were on the Green Wall, and a flock of 600 Lapwings flew over (our highest this winter). Only a small number of finches went through and they were all going south, which is unsurprising considering the switch in wind direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 19th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our (belated) first <strong>Yellow-browed Warbler<\/strong> was in the Gullies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 18th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At least <strong>13<\/strong> Firecrests were spread through the area, the majority on the Estate. A <strong>Tree Sparrow<\/strong> flew over New Downs and 72 Crossbills flew north.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 17th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Finch passage was good again with 760 Goldfinches, 630 Siskins, 126 Redpolls, 51 Crossbills, and 57 Chaffinches recorded going north. A flock of 16 Pintail went south offshore, a Jack Snipe was at the Point, and the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GREAT GREY SHRIKE<\/strong><\/span> was still showing at Roaring Gutter on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 16th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Estate held three Dartford Warblers and a Wheatear, whilst two Great White Egrets, a Short-eared Owl, two <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CHOUGHS<\/strong><\/span>, 25 Crossbills, 466 Siskins, 449 Goldfinches, and 136 Redpolls flew over. Singles of Merlin, Jack Snipe, <strong>Shag<\/strong>, and Spoonbill were on New Downs. What was presumably the same Spoonbill relocated to RSPB Worth marshes in the afternoon where the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GREAT GREY SHRIKE<\/strong><\/span> showed well at Roaring Gutter.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12805\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12805\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12805 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4176-Great-White-Egret-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12805\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Great White Egret by N.Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 15th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was another day of intermittent drizzle. The passage of birds overhead slowed a little compared to yesterday but there were still good totals of 132 Starlings, 287 Goldfinches, and 187 Siskins logged. Thrushes increased on the Estate with 121 Redwings, 17 Song Thrushes, 20 Fieldfares, and 51 Blackbirds, whilst other notable records included 32 Goldcrests, five Firecrests, and a late Reed Warbler. Our first Black Redstart of autumn was perched on one of the hides at Restharrow Scrape, with a Jack Snipe on the scrape in the afternoon. Two Great White Egrets flew over the Green Wall and the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GREAT GREY SHRIKE<\/strong><\/span> was still on RSPB Worth marshes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 14th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The conditions were similar to yesterday in that the light north-easterly and low cloud was interspersed with frequent squalls. Visible migration was better though with 622 Goldfinches, 404 Siskins, 395 Chaffinches, 286 Swallows, and 285 Starlings the main movers going north. There were smaller numbers of other species, such as five Grey Wagtails and 32 Crossbills, whilst the bushes on the Estate contained 27 Song Thrushes, 25 Redwings, 18 Goldcrests, five Firecrests, a Coal Tit, and a Woodcock. The numbers of Firecrest have been quite good recently with a steady but consistent run of birds through the Estate. The ringing team have caught 35 new birds in the last few weeks showing the high turnover of birds through the area. Over on RSPB Worth marshes a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GREAT GREY SHRIKE<\/strong><\/span> near Roaring Gutter was a great find and the first for a few years, and the first Jack Snipe of autumn was seen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 13th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passing squalls throughout the morning. Brent Geese and Wigeon were moving offshore, with smaller numbers of Teal and Shelduck. Two Arctic Terns flew along the shore and a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea. Visible migration overhead was a little disappointing, there were a few Crossbill flocks and three Grey Wagtails. There were decent numbers of Thrushes in the bushes at first light, a few Firecrests, and our first Woodcock of autumn. A Dartford Warbler was at the Drove.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12782\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12782\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12782 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Goldcrest-Oct25-PBlanche-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12782\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Goldcrest by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 12th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was a decent movement of Brent Geese offshore with at least <strong>1,500<\/strong> recorded. A <strong>Pomarine Skua<\/strong> was a strange sight tagging along with one of the Goose flocks. In Pegwell, there were a further 65 Brent Geese, 234 Wigeons, a Pintail, 598 Oystercatchers, 113 Redshanks, 229 Curlews, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Dunlins, 16 Grey Plovers, a Whimbrel, ten Sandwich Terns, and weirdly, an immature Gannet swimming upriver. Meanwhile on New Downs there was a Spotted Redshank (perhaps yesterday's bird relocating), three Greenshanks, three Green Sandpipers, 248 Lapwing, 68 Redshanks, and two Black-tailed Godwits. Finch passage was also decent with over 1,000 Goldfinches logged, plus 155 Siskins, 94 Chaffinches, 19 Crossbills, and one Brambling. Finishing up a good mix of birds was a Curlew Sandpiper in the wader roost at the Point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 11th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Spotted Redshank flew north over RSPB Worth marshes, a\/the Dartford Warbler was at Dickson's Corner, and ten Crossbills flew north.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 10th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our first Dartford Warbler of autumn was at Dickson's Corner and two Firecrests were ringed, whilst overhead finch passage continued with 360 Goldfinches, 536 Siskins, 37 Redpolls, one Brambling, and 30 Crossbills as highlights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 9th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was hope that Kent's wandering Pallid Harrier would stop by but it wasn't to be (yet). There was some movement overhead again, a surprising amount actually as the day was very sunny and clear which can normally hamper 'vismig' observations. A total of 95 Skylarks, 14 Pied Wagtails, five Grey Wagtails, 30 Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, 12 Long-tailed Tits, two <strong>Tree Sparrows<\/strong>, five Bramblings, 164 Goldfinches, 105 Siskins, and 11 Reed Buntings were recorded. Two Wheatears and a Merlin were also recorded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 8th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was another day with a fall of Chiffchaffs on the Estate. At least 230 were logged and another 110 spread elsewhere through the Recording Area. There was some light finch passage overhead too with 35 Crossbills, 56 Chaffinches, 151 Goldfinches, and 51 Siskins noted going north. A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER<\/strong><\/span> stole the attention at Pegwell Bay Country Park though, our second of the autumn after one on RSPB Worth marshes a week or so ago, whilst the male <strong>Scaup<\/strong> was still in the Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 7th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was low cloud and a hint of drizzle in the air all morning. A handful of finches were on the move with 170 Siskins, 48 Goldfinches, eight Redpolls, one Brambling, and 14 Crossbills recorded. Chiffchaffs were plenty with 145 on the Estate and another 20 in the Mary Bax\/Chequers area. It's about that time of the year when it is worth checking out the local Greylag mob to see if any 'wild' geese have dropped in. There was no such luck today but two Egyptian, one Canada, and seven Canada x Greylag hybrids were in the 290 strong Greylag Goose flock feeding in the fields between the Estate and the railway. It's certainly worth keeping an eye on the flock in the next few months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 6th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A\/the ringtail Hen Harrier put in another brief appearance, this time on RSPB Worth marshes, a <strong>Tree Sparrow<\/strong> flew over the Drove. A <strong>Great Skua<\/strong> was causing fuss in the Gull roost at the Point, 36 Crossbills flew over, and across the river the male <strong>Scaup<\/strong> was still present as well as a <strong>Pink-footed Goose<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12724\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12724 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kestrel-Aug25-JBull-3-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kestrel by J.Bull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 5th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Four <strong>GLOSSY IBISES<\/strong> and a Red Kite were on RSPB Worth marshes. Records of the latter are scarce at this time of the year, being overwhelmingly a spring bird in the area. The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SPOTTED CRAKE<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> put in another appearance on the Estate whilst just under 100 Goldfinches moved north overhead, a Hen Harrier flew over the Estate, and a <strong>Pomarine Skua<\/strong> was offshore.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 4th<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hard conditions. Three Ruffs were still on RSPB Worth marshes and the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SPOTTED CRAKE<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> still on the Estate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Friday 3rd<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was a significant change in the weather which gradually got worse throughout the day. Between the showers three <strong>GLOSSY IBISES<\/strong> and three Ruffs were seen on RSPB Worth marshes, whilst Merlin and Coal Tit were on the Estate, 450 House Martins moved through, and a Little Gull was offshore. The rain did allow us time for a bit of delving through our records and, unless a late bird suddenly appears, it seems this the first autumn since 2006 without a Wood Warbler.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thursday 2nd<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was as-you-were with the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SPOTTED CRAKE<\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>RED-NECKED PHALAROPE<\/strong><\/span>. Both drew a steady procession of admirers to the Dragonfly Pond and RSPB Worth marshes, respectively, with the former bird showing especially well. The Little Stint on Restharrow Scrape was also popular where it was joined by a young Black-tailed Godwit. A <strong>Shag<\/strong> flew north offshore whilst just shy of <strong>6,000<\/strong> House Martins flew north overhead. New Downs provided Cattle Egret, Greenshank, two Firecrests, Rock Pipit, and 11 Bearded Tits.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12704\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12704\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12704 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Raven-Oct25-NSmith.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12704\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Raven by N.Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wednesday 1st<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It was another good day to be out birding. Yesterday's <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>SPOTTED CRAKE<\/strong><\/span> showed well again on the Dragonfly Pond whilst in Jubilee Field next door a brief <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>WRYNECK<\/strong><\/span> was seen, before flying into the Little Elms. The Little Stint was still on Restharrow Scrape and two Firecrests on the Estate. Over on RSPB Worth marshes the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>RED-NECKED PHALAROPE<\/strong><\/span> and three <\/span><strong>GLOSSY IBISES<\/strong> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">were still around. Also present were two Ruffs, two Whinchats, a Rock Pipit, and 24 Crossbills. Two <strong>Hawfinches<\/strong> were on the Green Wall and another in Pegwell Bay Country Park. In total, across the area, there were 320 Chiffchaffs, 180 Blackcaps, and 75 Goldcrests, whilst totals of Swallow and House Martin were well into four-figures too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12681 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0354b-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12682\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12682\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12682 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dsc_0464b-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12682\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spotted Crake (top) and Swallows\/House Martins on Restharrow Scrape by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Friday 31st A Great Northern Diver was offshore along with 300 Gannets, a Razorbill, four Sandwich Terns, and 25 Kittiwakes. Thursday 30th A GLOSSY IBIS on the path at Roaring Gutter was a strange sight on RSPB Worth marshes. There were a handful of Redpolls and Siskins around the area, plus a Firecrest on the Estate. Wednesday 29th A Black&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":12705,"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-12680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sightingsbirds"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin 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