Wednesday 31st
Cold conditions on New Downs but still rewards in the form of two Common Sandpipers and both Water and Rock Pipit. The overwintering Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler, and Coal Tit were all still present on the Estate whilst Glossy Ibis, ten Bar-tailed Godwits, and 11 Pintails were the highlights on RSPB Worth marshes. Good luck for everyone starting their new year lists tomorrow!
Tuesday 30th
Another excellent day on RSPB Worth marshes with 32 Tundra Bean Geese, 80 White-fronted Geese, two Brent Geese, 33 Barnacle Geese, Goosander, Glossy Ibis, two Great White Egrets, Jack Snipe, and three Water Pipits. Not to be outdone there were four Velvet Scoters, two Caspian Gulls, and a Yellow-legged Gull offshore.
Monday 29th
The influx of eastern Geese arrived properly today with a minimum of 119 White-fronted Geese on RSPB Worth marshes in the morning. There were still the five Tundra Bean Geese and 30 Barnacle Geese present, plus a Blackcap. A Little Auk was seen offshore and a Merlin on the Estate.
Sunday 28th
RSPB Worth marshes was decent with five Tundra Bean Geese, two Great White Egrets, a Goosander, a Ruff, and a Caspian Gull, whilst a Cattle Egret at the Observatory was new in.
Saturday 27th
Five Tundra Bean Geese were on RSPB Worth marshes, a Cattle Egret at the Observatory, and a Caspian Gull on Restharrow Scrape.
Thursday 25th
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Tuesday 23rd
Mostly numbers today with 552 Stock Doves, ten Goldcrests, 40 Fieldfares, and 56 Chaffinches on the Estate.
A big thank you to everyone who visited us, contributed records, sent us photos, and made 2025 another great year at SBBOT. Below are a selection of highlights from the past 12 months to enjoy. Over the festive period why not plan ahead to come visit us next year and see some birds for yourselves? You can book accommodation to stay on site, just click HERE.
Monday 22nd
A Grey Wagtail was at the Observatory and the Dartford Warbler was seen again in Restharrow Dunes, but it seems the big Snipe flock has departed Restharrow Scrape. Over on RSPB Worth marshes there were two Great White Egrets, Glossy Ibis, 11 Pintails, two Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, and a minimum of five Water Pipits.
The next few days will be your last chances to pick up your calendars or last-minute Christmas presents. We'll be shutting the Observatory building on Christmas Day and opening again on 2nd January 2026. Our carpark, outside toilet, reserves, and hides will all be open as usual though during the festive period.
Sunday 21st
The Goosander was seen again on RSPB Worth marshes and a Black-tailed Godwit popped in. A Jack Snipe was on the Estate and the Black-throated Diver was seen offshore again.
Friday 19th
Today's conditions couldn't have been more contrasting from yesterday. The glorious sunshine even brought a Blackcap into subsong on the Green Wall. The flock of 20+ Barnacle Geese were seen distantly from the Drove, with Glossy Ibis and four Water Pipits on the Minnis side of the railway.
Thursday 18th
Two Shags and a Black-throated Diver were offshore in squalid conditions.
Wednesday 17th
Singles of Red-necked Grebe and Black-throated Diver made for another decent session searching offshore. Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, and seven Redpolls were on the Estate. An adult Yellow-legged Gull popped into Restharrow Scrape and over on RSPB Worth marshes the elusive redhead Goosander re-appeared and the Glossy Ibis was seen.
Tuesday 16th
Singles of Kingfisher, Mediterranean Gull, and Blackcap, and two Firecrests were on the Green Wall whilst offshore there was a decent movement of 160 Red-throated Divers and 23 Auk sp, plus two Red-breasted Mergansers.
Monday 15th
Two Woodcocks were on the Estate whilst offshore there was interest again with Great Northern Diver, Shag, 220 Cormorants, 42 Gannets, and 14 Auk sp.
Our weekly Thursday evening talks have so far covered a wide selection of birds, wildlife, locations, and other nature subjects. We do hope that you have enjoyed them. We're always grateful for feedback so if you have any suggestions for future topics or know of any speakers, then please let us know. Our last talk of 2025 is a look back about what’s been seen in the SBBOT Recording Area during this year by our Wardening Team. We hope to see you this Thursday 18th December. Don’t forget, everyone (members and non-members) are welcome, so please tell your friends. Going forward, we have booked some more, excellent speakers who will thrill us about their subjects. Our program will start again on January 15th 2026 with a talk about Hummingbirds.
Sunday 14th
All the highlights were offshore with four Eiders (three drakes and a female), a Little Auk, and a Razorbill noted.
Friday 12th
The two Coal Tits were on the Estate still. At least one bird has been present for three months now and they look set to winter. A Firecrest was along Guilford Rd and there were quite a few Grey Partridges on the cut asparagus fields.
This Sunday 14th December InFocus will be at the Observatory to showcase and give advice on optics and gear. Drop by between 10am and 4pm to see them.
Thursday 11th
The Hume's Warbler wasn't seen today despite the ringing team active in the area. It did go missing for a week though so it could still be around. The Snipe flock on Restharrow Scrape continued to rise, now to a mighty 88 birds, with most giving excellent views just in front of the first hide. Singles of Redpoll were on the Estate and RSPB Worth marshes, with two Great White Egrets, five Water Pipits, and two Caspian Gulls also at the latter.
Wednesday 10th
The biggest news of the day was the re-appearance of the HUME'S WARBLER in the Whitehouse and Haven area, last seen a week ago. The Glossy Ibis was showing well on RSPB Worth marshes, with four Water Pipits, a Brambling, and a flyover Lapland Bunting all also present.
Tuesday 9th
One Coal Tit, two Firecrests, and five Chiffchaffs were in the bushes on the Estate. The latter were all unringed implying there is still a level of turnover and movement throughout the area. A Woodcock was present and there were at least 360 Stock Doves in the asparagus fields.
If you haven't got a calendar for yourself or your family for next year please note that ours is available online, at the shop, and at events. This is another way to support the valuable work of the Observatory. They will cost £10 if bought in person but £12.50 online (to cover the cost of postage and packing). Thank you to all the photographers who submitted their pictures. We whittled 55 photos taken by 24 photographers down to one for each month of the year. The twelve selected photos, which will feature in the calendar, celebrate the breadth of wildlife that we monitor across our Recording Area and support on our reserves. The calendar features some photos by the late Steve Reynaert (provided by his family). You can purchase one HERE.
Monday 8th
The impressive flock of Snipe on Restharrow Scrape continued to build. At least 72 were present there in the morning as well as the regular Black-tailed Godwit. The intermittent flock of Barnacle Geese re-appeared on RSPB Worth marshes with at around 35 present plus a Goosander, five Water Pipits and the regular Glossy Ibis.
Sunday 7th
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Xmas Fayre. Today there were six Caspian Gulls, one Yellow-legged Gull, one Sandwich Tern, and four Snow Buntings at the Point, with a Merlin, three Green Sandpipers, and 176 Pied Wagtails on New Downs.
Saturday 6th
Two Brent Geese, 29 Barnacle Geese, 1,300 Wigeons, 2,000 Lapwings, 220 Golden Plovers, a Merlin, a Yellow-legged Gull, and three Water Pipits were all on RSPB Worth marshes.
Friday 5th
Two Jack Snipes and 22 Grey Partridges were on the Estate, a Yellowhammer was at the haybales down from the Observatory, and 17 Barnacle Geese flew over RSPB Worth marshes.
Thursday 4th
Cormorants offshore increased to 563 plus only our second Slavonian Grebe of the year. The wader roost up at the Point was bustling with 150 Knots, 45 Golden Plovers, and eight Grey Plovers with a supporting cast of four Snow Buntings. A redhead Goosander coming in off the sea headed south through the Estate.
Wednesday 3rd
A Great Northern Diver was sat offshore with 15 Red-throated Divers and 478 Cormorants were moving through. It was Blackbirds galore on the Estate where at least 57 were picking at the remaining berries, plus five Firecrests dotted around. The HUME'S WARBLER, now on its 12th day, was still present in the Haven. Over on RSPB Worth marshes the Glossy Ibis put in another appearance.
Tuesday 2nd
After yesterdays wind cleared, the HUME'S WARBLER emerged back in its favoured spot in the Haven with two Coal Tits not far behind it. Seabird numbers were building offshore where 52 Cormorants were sitting off the windfarm, joined by 19 Great Crested Grebes.
Monday 1st
Some truly awful weather to open the month. The Black-tailed Godwit was still present on Restharrow Scrape, feeding in between the Gadwalls and Teals hunkering down out of the wind. Offshore, a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull passed south and a small flock of 22 Gannets were battling the gales.