Thursday 17th
Eight Cattle Egrets and the Mandarin were on RSPB Worth Marshes first thing. Three Firecrests were on the Green Wall, a Black Tern offshore, and just over 2,500 House Martins flew north.
Don't forget tonight is our first Thursday Talk of the season. Drop by the Observatory at 7:30pm as Conor Jameson will treat us to his talk 'Looking for Goshawks'. Full a full list of upcoming talks see HERE.
Wednesday 16th
Today's clear highlight was the Dotterel found on the Estate beach which showed well most of the morning. The four Egyptian Geese and the Kingfisher were on Restharrow Scrape again, plus two Green Sandpipers and three Black-tailed Godwits. A Grasshopper Warbler was seen briefly on the Estate. Overhead passage was restricted to just 80 Meadow Pipits and 120 Swallows.
Tuesday 15th
At least 700 House Martins and 550 Swallows were logged moving through the area. At least 15 Cattle Egrets and the Mandarin were on RSPB Worth Marshes. A Firecrest was on the path behind the asparagus fields and three Wheatears at Sandilands.
Monday 14th
Hirundine passage picked up substantially as 2,100 House Martins, 500 Swallows, and a single Sand Martin moved through the Recording Area. Another 70 Meadow Pipits were logged heading south and eight Grey Herons came in off the sea. On the Estate were 30 Chiffchaffs, seven Wheatears, six Goldcrests, and a Hobby. In the evening the Curlew Sandpiper was on Restharrow Scrape and a Tawny Owl was calling in the Haven. The Mandarin was on RSPB Worth Marshes again.
Sunday 13th
Three Bar-tailed Godwits and two Egyptian Geese dropped into Restharrow Scrape. A good selection of waders was in Pegwell Bay plus 46 Little Egrets. Three Whinchats, one Pied Flycatcher, 25 Chiffchaffs, and a Kingfisher were on New Downs.
Saturday 12th
Seven Cattle Egrets, nine Kestrels, five Yellow Wagtails, and three Whinchats were the best on RSPB Worth Marshes. The Kingfisher put in another appearance on the Estate, this time around the Dragonfly Ponds, whilst singles of Firecrest and a Spotted Flycatcher were in The Elms. A Yellow-legged Gull went south along the beach.
Friday 11th
Approximately 500 each of Swallow and House Martin flew north with smaller numbers of Meadow Pipits. There were 77 Sandwich Terns in Pegwell Bay, the Curlew Sandpiper on Restharrow Scrape, and an increase in Chiffchaffs on the Estate.
Thursday 10th
The Kingfisher and the Curlew Sandpiper were on Restharrow Scrape again first thing. Overhead there was our first movement of Meadow Pipits with at least 50 going north, whilst in the bushes an arrival of Blackcaps dominated with 95 recorded.
Wednesday 9th
A White Stork seem to have roosted along the Ancient Highway overnight and roamed around the the Estate early in the morning before heading off south. Three Black Terns and an Arctic Skua were offshore and the Curlew Sandpiper still on Restharrow Scrape. RSPB Worth Marshes held good diversity but with no real headline bird. Two Egyptian Geese, a Cattle Egret, and a Wheatear were the best on offer. There also seemed to be an increase in Linnets across the area with at least 135 on Worth and 240 on the Estate.
Tuesday 8th
A wet day throughout but still with a few points of interest. Most of which came from the sea where a number of mixed 'bait balls' of Terns and Gulls fed close to the shore. Among the throng were at least six Black Terns showing well and a Razorbill. A Kingfisher and a Curlew Sandpiper were on Restharrow Scrape and at least 21 Cattle Egrets in the field south of the Drove.
Monday 7th
The (presumed same) Red-backed Shrike from the end of August made a reappearance around Roaring Gutter on RSPB Worth Marshes. It disappeared off south but has been presumably been lingering in the area for some time. Two Egyptian Geese, a Ruff, and two Black-tailed Godwits were on Restharrow Scrape and three Cattle Egrets between the Observatory and the Sandwich Toll booth. A Black Tern was offshore.
Sunday 6th
Two Black Terns, a Little Tern, and two Arctic Skuas offshore today. Three Whimbrels were at the Point in the evening.
Saturday 5th
Not much to report today but the recent Whooper Swan was seen again on the Green Wall and a flock of four Great White Egrets flew north over the Estate.
Friday 4th
The clear highlight of the day was a WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN which lingered briefly offshore before being lost going north. An Arctic Skua and one/two Black Terns were seen as well. Three additional Black Terns were in Pegwell Bay. Yesterday's Mandarin was still on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Thursday 3rd
A melee of terns and gulls were feeding offshore in the morning. At least three Black Terns were among the maelstrom. Four Arctic Skuas also showed interest in the flock. The Mandarin from a few days ago was also relocated on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Wednesday 2nd
There was a bit of overhead passage in the form of two Tree Pipits north, small numbers of Swallows and House Martins, a Swift, and a Grey Wagtail. Another fall of Blackcaps on the Estate comprised around 120 birds. There were also 28 Willow Warblers, four Whinchats, four Wheatears, and a couple of Goldcrests. The Whooper Swan was seen on the Green Wall and 50 Golden Plovers on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Tuesday 1st
Today saw our first major fall of Blackcaps of the autumn with a minimum of 110 on the Estate. There were also a handful of Lesser Whitethroats and two Spotted Flycatchers. Two Water Rails and a Mandarin were on Restharrow Scrape and five Cattle Egrets at the Drove.
This is just another reminder that our Conservation Team are working hard on Restharrow Scrape every Monday and Thursday morning for the next few weeks. Expect some disturbance at those times. And if you fancy giving them a hand drop an email to info@sbbot.org.uk.