Wednesday 22nd
A breeding-plumage Spotted Redshank was in Pegwell Bay, two Hobby's were on RSPB Worth Marshes and Restharrow Scrape saw two Whimbrel and four Bar-tailed Godwits drop in.
Tuesday 21st
Despite being bright it was cold in the north-easterly wind. A Short-eared Owl flew south through the Estate, two Bar-tailed Godwits were on Restharrow Scrape, a late Jack Snipe showed well on RSPB Worth Marshes, and a Swift flew over. The conditions should push more Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels through so expect more to turn up in Pegwell, along the shore, and inland on pools over the next two weeks.
Monday 20th
Our first Swift flew over the Estate, along with Whimbrel, Sand Martin, and House Martin, and a possible Osprey flew through but evaded confirmation. A Nightingale was present again on New Downs.
Sunday 19th
Wheatear at Sandilands, two Spotted Redshanks, two Wood Sandpipers, and two Wheatears on RSPB Worth Marshes. Five Lesser Whitethroats were on New Downs and ten Whimbrels in Pegwell Bay. A Nightingale was on the Green Wall.
Saturday 18th
There was a small arrival of common warbler species on the Estate as 36 Whitethroats and six Willow Warblers were scattered around, plus a Wheatear, a Cuckoo, and two Whimbrels. Two Greenshank were new-in on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Friday 17th
RSPB Worth Marshes was lovely in the early sun. Four Red Kites, White Stork, two Spotted Redshanks, two Ruffs, Whimbrel, five Little Ringed Plovers, three Cuckoos, Wheatear, and a Yellow Wagtail were the highlights.
Many would've noticed that DDC failed to show on Monday and Tuesday earlier this week for pothole work. We have now been informed that they will be arriving next week instead, Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April, and Golf Road will be closed between The Chequers and Royal Cinque Ports Club House. So if you are intending to come into the Sandwich Bay area during this time you will need to access from the Sandwich side.
Thursday 16th
Singles of Crane, White Stork, and Cuckoo were on Worth, Whimbrel and Wheatear on the Estate, and Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, and Lesser Whitethroat on New Downs.
Wednesday 15th
Our first Hobby was flying around on RSPB Worth Marshes and another first came in the form of two Garden Warblers singing in Pegwell Bay Country Park. There was a good count of 340 Sandwich Terns, also in Pegwell, nine Sandwich Terns on Restharrow Scrape, and another Nightingale was in the outer reaches of New Downs (heard from across the river in Stonelees!).
Tuesday 14th
Full coverage across the Recording Area produced a Nightingale on the Green Wall, eight Wheatears and a few House Martins on the Estate, four Wheatears on Prince's Beach, 29 Sandwich Terns offshore, the first two Lesser Whitethroats of the year on New Downs, and another belated first in a Cuckoo on RSPB Worth Marshes. In the afternoon heat a White Stork also flew north over Worth.
Monday 13th
A Wheatear was at Sandilands, three Whimbrels in the turf field by Restharrow Scrape, and light finch and Swallow passage along the shore and Sandwich Terns offshore. A Wood Sandpiper was still on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Apologies for the short notice but we have only just been told that Golf Road is to be closed from 8am today until midnight on Tuesday for pothole repair between The Chequers and Royal Cinque Ports Club House. So if you are intending to come into the Sandwich Bay area during this time you may need to access from the Sandwich side. You can see the details here: https://one.network/uk/kent .
Sunday 12th
Three Whimbrels flew over RSPB Worth Marshes, two Wood Sandpipers were on the pools, and at least 33 Sedge Warblers were now present.
Saturday 11th
Two male Ring Ouzels were smart finds on the Hundred Acre Field. Please note there is no public access into the field but the birds can be viewed from the Kent Coastal Footpath (W3W expecting.crank.space). On RSPB Worth Marshes were a pair of Garganeys and two Reed Warblers. On the Estate Wheatear numbers saw a light increase to four.
Friday 10th
The wind switch round to northerly overnight and caused a sudden temperature drop and a little clearout of birds. A handful of Swallows went north and two Eiders (one male, one female) went south offshore.
Thursday 9th
Another hot one. Highlights came early with two different singing Nightingales, one in the Gorse just north of the Drove and another near the entrance of Royal St George's Golf Course. A Spoonbill was on Willow Farm and Whitethroats had surged in overnight with at least 15 on the Estate. In the evening the Glossy Ibis flew over Willow Farm towards the Estate.
Wednesday 8th
One of the nicest days of the year so far with bright sunshine, only a slight breeze, and temperatures nudging 20 degrees. Most of the day's highlights were on RSPB Worth Marshes where two Cranes flew south, a Glossy Ibis joined a Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper on the pools, and a male Redstart was seen. There was a small arrival of warblers on the Estate, including our first five Whitethroats of the year, and at least 20 Sandwich Terns were on Restharrow Scrape.
Tuesday 7th
Seven Mediterranean Gulls, two Red Kites, a Swallow, and a Willow Warbler were on/over the Estate. Two Great White Egrets were visible on Willow Farm from the Drove and two Sedge Warblers singing along the Worth track.
Monday 6th
After a cold start it became a glorious spring day. There were four Willow Warblers on the Estate and a House Martin flew north. Over on RSPB Worth Marshes there were Great White Egret, five Ruffs, four Little Ringed Plovers, Wheatear, two Willow Warblers, and eight Sedge Warblers. In the evening two Spotted Redshanks were also found including one smart summer-plumaged bird.
Sunday 5th
Two Bramblings, three Willow Warblers, and two Wheatears were on the Estate.
Saturday 4th
Two Great White Egrets and four Ruffs remained on RSPB Worth Marshes and a Brent Goose was on the beach by Sandilands.
Friday 3rd
Ten Swallows and a Yellow Wagtail were the only summer migrants on offer on RSPB Worth Marshes this morning. It did feel rather wintery though. There were still seven Water Pipits present but now in their summer finery. Singles of Sedge Warbler and Swallow were also on New Downs and 85 Sandwich Terns in Pegwell Bay.
This is also a reminder to anyone who could help out. We're on the lookout for people who can volunteer to meet and greet visitors and be on the shop. We have a number of vacancies. Please get in touch at info@sbbot.org.uk if you think you can help out.
Thursday 2nd
A cold wind through the area today. Venturing out on New Downs produced a pair of Egyptian Geese with three goslings. There are still only a few confirmed breeding records in our neck of the woods. A Green Sandpiper and two Bearded Tits were also present.
Wednesday 1st
Our first Sedge Warbler was singing away on RSPB Worth Marshes. A/the regular Spoonbill put in another brief appearance, as did the elusive Bittern, with two Great White Egrets and a Ruff also present. Two Yellow Wagtails flew over the Estate (also our first of the year) and eight Avocets were in and out of Restharrow Scrape.
