{"id":942,"date":"2022-06-02T06:54:37","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T06:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/?p=942"},"modified":"2022-06-26T04:11:06","modified_gmt":"2022-06-26T04:11:06","slug":"birds-may-2022-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/birds-may-2022-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds: May 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Tuesday 31st<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The last day of the month saw a brief\u00a0<strong>Great White Egret<\/strong>\u00a0drop into Restharrow Scrape. A drake Pochard was new in on Worth where the\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Red-footed Falcon<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0continued.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2774\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-JDodds-3-750x600-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-JDodds-3-750x600-1.jpg 750w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-JDodds-3-750x600-1-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/> Eleonora\u2019s Falcon by J.Dodds<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monday 30th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The activity was still mostly focused on Worth marshes where the <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Red-footed Falcon<\/strong><\/span> continue to delight. Three Red Kites also flew over. There were lots of newly fledged Tit broods flitting around the Estate, a Garden Warbler sang in The Elms, and a Mediterranean Gull flew over.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2773\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-BSummerfield-800x600-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-BSummerfield-800x600-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-BSummerfield-800x600-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sbbot.org.uk\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-BSummerfield-800x600-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/> Eleonora\u2019s Falcon by B.Summerfield<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday 29th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both the\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Red-footed Falcon<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0remained on Worth marshes, joined by a brief\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Golden Oriole<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Saturday 28th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Red-footed Falcon<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0were still on Worth marshes and showed well to the masses present. Escaping the crowds produced\u00a0<strong>Great White Egret<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Spoonbill<\/strong>, and Barnacle Goose on New Downs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday 27th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As hoped, the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>ELEONORA'S FALCON <\/strong><\/span>was re-discovered on Lydden Valley\/Worth marshes this morning and showed well up to mid-afternoon. With lots of observers present they also picked up a lovely female <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Red-footed Falcon<\/strong><\/span>. There was some suggestion that two birds may be involved? From late morning there was a continuous passage of Red Kites and by mid-afternoon at least <strong>102<\/strong> birds had flown north. As if that wasn't enough a dark-phase <strong>Honey-buzzard<\/strong> drifted over. Lots of Buzzards, Kestrels, Hobbies, and a Peregrine completed the raptor fest.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>IMPORTANT PARKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR FALCON<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Follow directions to Worth village and then Jubilee Road. There is a track off Jubilee Rd at TR33715578. Follow the track down and park in the field on the right. RSPB staff and volunteers should be on site to guide you. The carpark should be open from early hours tomorrow morning. DO NOT park on Goretop Lane or in Worth village, please be considerate to the residents of the village.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-GLee-1-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-20341\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-GLee-1-738x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"738\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20342\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20342\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-GLee-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20342 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Eleonoras-Falcon-May22-GLee-5-800x506.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"506\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eleonora's Falcon in flight (top) and in bush (bottom) by G.Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20340\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20340\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Red-footed-Falcon-May22-GLee-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20340 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Red-footed-Falcon-May22-GLee-2-800x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"538\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20340\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red-footed Falcon by G.Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Thursday 26th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Not a day goes by without something to report in what is turning out to be an extraordinary spring for scarcities and rarities. The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CASPIAN TERN<\/strong><\/span> was reported as being still present in Pegwell Bay and the lone <strong>Spoonbill<\/strong> had been joined by another. There was no sign of the Kentish Plover though. The <strong>Great White Egret<\/strong> relocated across the river and showed well flying over Hundred Acre Field and Prince's Golf Course. However, biggest news of the day concerned a falcon photographed at Restharrow Scrape at 09:30. Originally reported as a Hobby, it was subsequently re-identified from photos as an adult pale morph <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>ELEONORA'S FALCON<\/strong><\/span>. The key features being the dark underwing coverts, relatively un-barred underwing, circular cheek patch not extending to the nape, rusty colouration from undertail coverts up to the breast, long tail, long wings, and brown upperparts. The bird was not seen again but reported from nearby at Stodmarsh. Birds often move between the two sites so it could conceivably come back to the area. This constitutes the first record for Sandwich Bay and Kent, and only the ninth confirmed record for the UK. What next?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/FTrVSI2X0AAXdAS.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-20333\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/FTrVSI2X0AAXdAS-800x590.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"590\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20332\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20332\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/FTrVSQJWAAAqb3G.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20332 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/FTrVSQJWAAAqb3G-800x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"597\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20332\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eleonora's Falcon by T.Hambrook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Wednesday 25th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The terrific run of rarities continued with a smart male <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>KENTISH PLOVER<\/strong><\/span> in front of the hide at Pegwell Bay. The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CASPIAN TERN<\/strong><\/span> was still present as well as the <strong>Spoonbill<\/strong> and a <strong>Great White Egret<\/strong>. What a fantastic selection of birds! There were at least 120 Swifts and 11 Red Kites over Worth marshes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20322\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20322\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kentish-Plover-May22-JDodds-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20322 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kentish-Plover-May22-JDodds-3-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20322\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kentish Plover by J.Dodds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20321\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20321\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kentish-Plover-May22-JDodds-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20321 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kentish-Plover-May22-JDodds-2-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20321\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kentish Plover (right) and two Ringed Plovers by J.Dodds. Note the sandy nape, lighter mantle, dark legs, 'open' facial expression, dark bill, and incomplete breast band on the Kentish Plover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Tuesday 24th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CASPIAN TERN<\/strong><\/span> was still in Pegwell Bay this morning. Three drake Pochards on Worth marshes were unseasonal and at least 80 Red Kites flew north.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20318\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20318\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Sedge-Warbler-May22-JBuckingham-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20318 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Sedge-Warbler-May22-JBuckingham-2-800x523.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"523\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sedge Warbler by J.Buckingham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Monday 23rd<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It poured down almost the entire day. It wasn't until the evening that observers braved the outdoors and it was lucky they did as an immature <strong>WHITE-TAILED EAGLE<\/strong> flew over the Estate and Green Wall heading north towards Pegwell Bay. An observer waiting at Pegwell did not intercept the Eagle though so it must have gone inland over the Discovery Park. Not to be outdone though, a fantastic <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CASPIAN TERN<\/strong><\/span> was found roosting with Black-headed Gulls in the Bay. The bird went missing for a little while (perhaps roosting just out of sight around Shellness Point) before coming back and showing well until the late evening. A <strong>Spoonbill<\/strong> even dropped in and joined it on the mud! Interestingly, the Caspian Tern had a metal ring on the right leg and a red darvic ring on the left, suggesting it was ringed in Sweden. There has been a bird returning to the UK for the last few summers from the same project and so it's not inconceivable that the Pegwell Bay bird is the same. Hopefully it will show closer at some point and the code on the red ring can be read. This is the sixth SBBOT record of Caspian Tern and recorded for the second year in succession.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20310\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20310\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Caspian-Tern-May22-JDodds-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20310 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Caspian-Tern-May22-JDodds-2-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caspian Tern by J.Dodds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20309\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20309\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Caspian-Tern-and-Spoonbill-May22-JDodds.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20309 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Caspian-Tern-and-Spoonbill-May22-JDodds-750x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20309\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caspian Tern (left), Shelduck (centre), and Spoonbill (right) by J.Dodds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Sunday 22nd<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It was nice weather for the AGM. Thank you to everyone who came along. Five Hobbies were using the thermals over Worth marshes and two Dunlins were new in on the pools. At midday a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>BEE-EATER<\/strong><\/span> flew over the marsh calling as it went.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whitethroat-May22-NSmith.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-20293\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whitethroat-May22-NSmith-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20292\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20292\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Dsc_0623b.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20292 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Dsc_0623b-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20292\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(top) Male Whitethroat with food by N.Smith and (bottom) Juvenile Whitethroat by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Friday 20th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There were heavy downpours from early on (a good thing considering the lack of rain over the winter and spring). In the afternoon there were Hobbies over the Estate and Worth marshes, a passage of 56 Swifts, and two Mediterranean Gulls. At least 27 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were in the gull flock by the toll gate and the first fledged Linnets by Restharrow Scrape.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wednesday 18th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Temperatures soared by mid-morning so it was better to be out early. A singing male <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Golden Oriole<\/strong><\/span> was the highlight on New Downs and a drake Garganey on Worth.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monday 16th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>BLACK KITE<\/strong><\/span> flew through Worth marshes just before 10am and at least three Spotted Flycatchers were dotted around the Estate.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20238\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20238\" style=\"width: 568px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Spotted-Flycatcher-May22-SRay.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20238 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Spotted-Flycatcher-May22-SRay-568x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"568\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spotted Flycatcher by S.Ray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Sunday 15th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A few showers in the morning dropped in a female Ring Ouzel onto the Estate. It showed well enough along the beach road looking towards Little Gully but could be mobile at times. Two Yellow Wagtails were in the field outside the Observatory and a Garden Warbler was in the Little Elms. In the evening 40 Swifts and a Hobby were over the Green Wall.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Saturday 14th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There was no sign of yesterday's two star birds on Worth marshes but it was pleasing to note the first Redshank young on the pools. Two Canada Geese were in Pegwell Bay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday 13th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unlucky for some, but not for us. It was a little breezy out there but that didn't stop a few quality birds being found. A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Golden Oriole<\/strong><\/span> was singing intermittently from the Great Wood on Worth marshes. There is no access into the wood so listen from the public footpath along the southern edge. Whether this is the same bird as seen in Worth village yesterday is up for grabs, but spring Orioles rarely stay more than a day and two new birds were also seen at St Margaret's too. So it could just as easily be a new arrival. Mid-morning a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Temminck's Stint<\/strong> <\/span>was then discovered on the muddy pool by the wooden bridge and was still present in the afternoon. On the Estate there were two Spotted Flycatchers, in The Elms and the Haven.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20234\" style=\"width: 738px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Temmincks-Stint-May22-GLee-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20234 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Temmincks-Stint-May22-GLee-1-738x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"738\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Temminck's Stint by G.Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Thursday 12th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On New Downs there were Dunlin, Ringed Plover, four Common Sandpipers, a Yellow Wagtail, and an unseasonably high count of 50 Stock Doves. A Willow Warbler was on Worth marshes and just outside our Recording Area a Golden Oriole was singing in Worth village at dawn.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20229\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20229\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Reed-Bunting-May22-NSmith.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20229 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Reed-Bunting-May22-NSmith-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reed Bunting by N.Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Wednesday 11th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There was no sign of yesterday's Hoopoe but considering the large area of available habitat and elusive nature of the species it could easily still be present. A few Cuckoos and a Wheatear were present. A Spotted Flycatcher in The Elms was our first this year, four Wheatears were on the beach, and a Siskin flew over the Estate. In Pegwell there were 89 Ringed Plovers and an interesting adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that showed features of the Baltic race <em>L.f.fuscus<\/em>. A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Kite<\/strong><\/span> was reported there in the afternoon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20198\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20198\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Dsc_9475b.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20198 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Dsc_9475b-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20198\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cuckoo by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Tuesday 10th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A drake Garganey was on Restharrow Scrape, our third there this spring. There was a burst of 75 Swifts over Worth marshes which were nice to see and later in the evening a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Hoopoe<\/strong> <\/span>was discovered at the northern edge of Prince's Golf Course, bordering Hundred Acre field. If visiting the area please stick to the Kent Coastal Footpath.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20186\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20186\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Swallow-May22-JDodds-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20186 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Swallow-May22-JDodds-2-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20186\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Swallow by J.Dodds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Monday 9th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A\/the <strong>Osprey<\/strong> was seen in the afternoon heading north offshore. Two Bar-tailed Godwits and four Whimbrels were at Dickson's Corner with a further nine Whimbrels on Worth marshes. Two Yellow Wagtails were on Restharrow Scrape and two Wheatears were south of Sandilands.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday 8th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More news from Worth marshes where an <strong>Osprey<\/strong> and three Hobbies flew over. There were just the seven Black-tailed Godwits, plus a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, two Green Sandpipers, and a Common Sandpiper.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20182\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20182\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/A87A2304-denoise-clear-DNG-Black-tailed-godwit-2048-x-1200.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20182 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/A87A2304-denoise-clear-DNG-Black-tailed-godwit-2048-x-1200-800x463.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"463\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20182\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Black-tailed Godwits by S.Ray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Saturday 7th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yesterday's flock of Black-tailed Godwits on Worth marshes increased to 76. Two Wood Sandpipers were also with them and nearby there were good views of a purring Turtle Dove. A Yellow Wagtail flew over. Corn Buntings seem to be doing ok between Restharrow Scrape and the Chequers with at least seven birds present, plus four Wheatears. Two Bullfinches were also on the Estate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday 6th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It was always going to be hard to beat yesterday's amazing sightings but a flock of 62 Black-tailed Godwits on Worth marshes was an excellent start. This is the third-highest Spring count in the last 30 years (beaten only by 78 on 4th May 2012 and 70 on 7th May 2011, both from Pegwell Bay). The warm breeze brought a little raptor movement with 15 Red Kites and a few Marsh Harriers north.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">New guided walks are being added every week. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tickettailor.com\/events\/sandwichbaybirdobservatory\/696882\/\">HERE<\/a> <\/span><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">to book tickets for our guided walk around Gazen Salts nature reserve. We have also arranged a special series of guided boat trips along the river at Grove Ferry. We expect to encounter Turtle Doves, Hobbies, Kingfishers, and maybe even a Beaver! Places will go fast. You can book your places <a href=\"https:\/\/www.groveferryrivertrips.co.uk\/sbbot.htm\">HERE<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20156\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20156\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Grove-Ferry-Boat-Trip-May10-SZW-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20156 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Grove-Ferry-Boat-Trip-May10-SZW-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20156\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grove Ferry river trip by S.Walton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Thursday 5th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An <strong>Osprey<\/strong> flew over Restharrow Scrape first thing in the morning and flew off west towards Worth. There was no sign of the Black-winged Stilt on Worth marshes today but ten Black-tailed Godwits dropped in, five Swifts flew over, and two Turtle Doves were seen. Meanwhile at the Observatory a few Red Kites flew north. An interesting mix at the Point included a drake Garganey, the drake <strong>Scaup<\/strong>, and four Canada Geese plus a smart male Whinchat on Prince's Golf Course. There were also two Pochards on Prince's Reservoir (TR349594) on New Downs. At around half one a <strong>White-tailed Eagle<\/strong> was seen drifting over Pegwell Bay and then the day got even better later when a female <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>KENTISH PLOVER<\/strong><\/span> was discovered in the Bay. It showed ok, but distant, from the hide looking across the river to the beach.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20144\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20144\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Osprey-May22-PBlanche-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20144 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Osprey-May22-PBlanche-4-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20144\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Osprey by P.Blanche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Wednesday 4th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>BLACK-WINGED STILT<\/strong> <\/span>was still present on Worth marshes and a singing Garden Warbler was heard. A Wheatear was on Sandilands lawn and ten Whimbrels and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Dickson's Corner.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20122\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20122\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Black-winged-stilt19978.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20122 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Black-winged-stilt19978-800x455.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"455\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20122\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Black-winged Stilt by P.Coltman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Tuesday 3rd<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>BLACK-WINGED STILT<\/strong> <\/span>was new on Worth marshes. It was favouring the muddy pool by the wooden bridge, just off the Pinnock Wall (TR347559). There was a Bar-tailed Godwit, two Common Sandpipers, and a White Wagtail present on the same pool. Three Hobbies, a Yellow Wagtail, and a House Martin were flying overhead. A nice male Black Redstart was back at the Observatory.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20123\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/20220503_172413-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20123 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/20220503_172413-800x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"576\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left-to-right: Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, and Redshank. By A.Lipczynski.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Monday 2nd<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It took a while but our first Turtle Dove was purring away on Worth marshes this morning. A White Wagtail was also present on the pools. There were lots of warblers on New Downs with six Cetti's Warblers, eight Sedge Warblers, 32 Reed Warblers, four Lesser Whitethroats, 33 Whitethroats, 12 Blackcaps, and seven Chiffchaffs recorded. A Greenshank, two Whimbrels, and a Wheatear added to the mix. There were three Lesser Whitethroats new in on the Estate too. Over in Pegwell a drake <strong>Scaup<\/strong> lingered for a second day and two Garganey were present, whilst a <strong>Stone-curlew<\/strong> was sound-recorded flying over Stonar after dark.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday 1st<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Intrepid participants on our Dawn Chorus Walk were lucky enough to have a <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>BLACK KITE<\/strong><\/span> fly over their heads on Worth marshes. There was lots of other stuff to see (and hear) including a <strong>Great White Egret<\/strong>, Tree Pipit, nine Whimbrels, a few Hobbies, 12 Red Kites, two Common Sandpipers, and a Yellow Wagtail. When they got back the day got even better as a <strong>Honey-buzzard<\/strong> flew over the Observatory! Two unseasonal Barnacle Geese then dropped onto Restharrow Scrape but flew off shortly after. A drake <strong>Scaup<\/strong> was an excellent record in Pegwell Bay and three Cuckoos and a Water Rail were on New Downs.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Barnacle-Geese-May22-SReynaert.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-20097\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Barnacle-Geese-May22-SReynaert-800x533.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20098\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20098\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whimbrel-May22-SReynaert.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20098 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/sandwichbaybirdobservatorytrust.org.uk\/sitefiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whimbrel-May22-SReynaert-800x533.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20098\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Barnacle Geese (above) and Whimbrels (below) by S.Reynaert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tuesday 31st The last day of the month saw a brief\u00a0Great White Egret\u00a0drop into Restharrow Scrape. A drake Pochard was new in on Worth where the\u00a0ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON\u00a0and\u00a0Red-footed Falcon\u00a0continued. Eleonora\u2019s Falcon by J.Dodds Monday 30th The activity was still mostly focused on Worth marshes where the ELEONORA\u2019S FALCON\u00a0and\u00a0Red-footed Falcon continue to delight. Three Red Kites also flew over. There were lots&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2774,"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-942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sightingsbirds"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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