Tuesday 30th
Low cloud and light southerlies made for a good morning on RSPB Worth marshes, particularly on the Blue Pigeons pools off the Pinnock Wall. Two Sanderlings in with the Ringed Plovers and Dunlins were rare birds for inland on the marsh, but a TEMMINCK'S STINT stole the show. Both Garganey and Wood Sandpiper were also present.
Monday 29th
A summer-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit showed well on Restharrow Scrape and two Swifts were screeching over the Estate. Over on New Downs there was an Egyptian Goose, five Green Sandpipers, three Common Sandpipers, and a Cuckoo, whilst five Garganeys, a Knot, and a Garden Warbler were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Sunday 28th
The Greenshank flock on RSPB Worth marshes numbered at least 31 birds with a backup cast of seven Ringed Plovers, seven Ruffs, five Bar-tailed Godwits, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, and a Common Sandpiper, plus the usual Lapwings, Avocets, Oystercatchers. An Arctic Skua passed by offshore and four Swifts were over the Observatory.
Saturday 27th
Despite the impressive numbers of Terns moving off Dungeness there were little here, or anywhere else along the coast for that matter. A good handful of Whimbrels and Bar-tailed Godwits were dotted around, 14 Greenshanks and a Wood Sandpiper were on RSPB Worth marshes, but the clear highlight was our first Turtle Dove of the year purring on the Green Wall.
Friday 26th
There was a small arrival of spring migrants with at least three Cuckoos, four Willow Warblers, four Swifts, and 25 Whimbrels spread throughout the Recording Area. Two Garganeys and a White Wagtail were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Thursday 25th
Despite the switch to south-westerly today conditions were still very chilly. The thermometer outside the Observatory reached almost -1°C the other night! Two Egyptian Geese flew inland over Dickson's Corner, where a Wheatear and a Whimbrel were present, whilst four Mediterranean Gulls and three Sandwich Terns dropped into Restharrow Scrape. A few Willow Warblers were singing around the Oasis area and the RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was still present on RSPB Worth marshes.
Wednesday 24th
Yesterday's RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was still present on RSPB Worth marshes. A male Ring Ouzel was on the Estate in the fields near Restharrow Scrape, with a few Wheatears and Whimbrels in the vicinity too.
Tuesday 23rd
Five Cattle Egrets flew south over the Estate and a lovely summer-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit was on Restharrow Scrape. Eight Garganeys, 25 Whimbrels, and two Wood Sandpipers were all good stuff on RSPB Worth marshes but it got better when the rain showers late afternoon dropped in a lot of hirundines, and a smart RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was found hawking among them.
Monday 22nd
The CRANE was seen briefly early morning but flew south soon after. The main talking point was the start of Bar-tailed Godwit passage through the area. A few were seen on RSPB Worth marshes yesterday but the main bulk arrived today with at least 207 in Pegwell Bay, many of which in their brick-red plumage.
Sunday 21st
An adult CRANE was a nice find on RSPB Worth marshes and our first record since November 2021. Two Swifts and a Spoonbill were also present.
Saturday 20th
A Great White Egret and a good mix of waders were on RSPB Worth marshes, three Willow Warblers around New Downs New Pool, and ten Wheatears on the Estate.
Friday 19th
The weather was very hit-and-miss throughout the morning. Still, by dodging rain showers a good variety of birds were logged. A flock of five Velvet Scoters north offshore was the main highlight, but there were also five Willow Warblers and a Tree Pipit on the Estate, a Sandwich Tern on Restharrow Scrape, and eight Little Terns in Pegwell Bay. A Spoonbill also went south over Pegwell towards New Downs.
Work is now complete on the new pools in the Dragonfly Pond and Jubilee Fields. The new developments look great. You can see photos and read about the work by clicking HERE. These reserves will remain shut temporarily whilst we finish off other minor work on the paths etc, but they will be open again very soon. In the mean time, we have been given a great opportunity to raise funds for these developments with the Big Give Green Match Fund. For this week only (18th-25th), any donation through this link will be doubled!
Thursday 18th
An early morning team effort to log all the breeding birds on RSPB Worth marshes recorded lots of activity on the pools. There were a number of Lapwing young and displaying birds in most areas. Fingers crossed they have a good breeding season. Highlights across the site included Great White Egret, two Egyptian Geese, six Garganeys, five Pintails, Hobby, eight Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Ruffs, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, ten Yellow Wagtails, and two White Wagtails.
Wednesday 17th
The morning started well with a GOLDEN ORIOLE singing in the Haven. It only stayed briefly and flew off strongly north. Prince's Beach was quite nippy in the north-westerly breeze but a male Ring Ouzel, a Wheatear, and three Willow Warblers were in the Sea Buckthorn. A Little Tern was across the river in Pegwell Bay and at the other end of the Recording Area two Garganeys, a Hobby, nine Ruffs, and a Wood Sandpiper were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Tuesday 16th
Two Greenshanks and three Little Terns were in Pegwell Bay early on, with another Little Tern and an Arctic Tern offshore later. Small numbers of Linnets went north in the strong winds and a flock 32 Siskins went over. Two Garganeys remained on RSPB Worth marshes.
Monday 15th
There were still at least four Garganeys and seven Ruffs on RSPB Worth marshes. Around 100 mixed hirundines dropped in and our first Lapwing chicks of the year were seen (though considering the torrential downpours today I imagine they wished they waited to hatch tomorrow). Double-figures of Common Scoters and Sandwich Terns were offshore and in the evening the Tern flock in Pegwell Bay comprised two Little and 212 Sandwich.
Sunday 14th
RSPB Worth marshes was the place to be again with five Garganeys, the Wood Sandpiper, and four Great White Egrets the standout highlights, plus one Red Kite, our first Hobby of the year, seven Ruffs, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, four Yellow Wagtails, and a Willow Warbler.
Saturday 13th
A Wood Sandpiper was a nice spring find on RSPB Worth marshes. Two Garganeys and four Lesser Whitethroats were also present. A Swift was seen in Pegwell and a Tree Pipit went south at the Chequers. At least 11 Wheatears were also spread throughout the Recording Area and two Red Kites flew north.
Friday 12th
Just the two Willow Warblers on the Estate this morning but two Garganeys, Golden Plover, Willow Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, and a Yellowhammer were on RSPB Worth marshes. There were also quite a few Mediterranean Gulls on the move with their distinctive calls heard overhead.
Thursday 11th
There was a noticeable arrival of Willow Warblers along the Kent coast this morning. We got in on the action with at least six on the Estate, four on New Downs, and two on RSPB Worth marshes. A Garden Warbler at the latter site was new for the year whilst a WHITE STORK appeared overhead in the afternoon.
Wednesday 10th
A brief Nightingale was singing at New Downs New Pool and two Red Kites flew south over Pegwell Bay. At the other end of our Recording Area three Great White Egrets and our first Reed Warbler were on RSPB Worth marshes, and a drake Pochard on Restharrow Scrape.
Tuesday 9th
Conditions were quite different to yesterday. A Willow Warbler in Pegwell Bay Country Park, 20 Sandwich Terns offshore, and a mixed flock of c.50 hirundines on RSPB Worth marshes were the picks of the bunch in strong winds. In the evening our first Swift of the year was hawking over Dickson's Corner.
Monday 8th
A male Ring Ouzel performed well at Sandilands with two Yellowhammers, three Whitethroats, and 20 Mediterranean Gulls also recorded on the Estate. Two Nightingales were also great finds on RSPB Worth marshes with two Garganeys still present plus Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel, and two Wheatears.
Please note work has begun on the new developments to the Jubilee and Dragonfly Pond Fields. These areas will be closed for one week whilst work is underway.
Sunday 7th
With a tail wind behind them lots of spring migrants keep making landfall, so it's well worth staying out in the field despite the strong winds. Two Willow Warblers and a Whitethroat were on New Downs and a Wheatear on Prince's Beach. A new-for-the-year Greenshank and a Ruff were on RSPB Worth marshes, along with two Garganeys and lots of Chiffchaffs and Sedge Warblers, whilst Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, and a Whimbrel were on the Estate, the latter another bird for the year. A Red Kite also flew north.
Saturday 6th
Two Sedge Warblers, a Willow Warbler, ten Siskins, and our first House Martin of the year were along the Green Wall. Not to be outdone our first Tree Pipit flew over RSPB Worth marshes with 20 Black-tailed Godwits and singles of Wheatear, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, and Sand Martin all present. The Whitethroat was on the Estate and four Sandwich Terns were back on Restharrow Scrape.
Friday 5th
There was a good deal of activity after the morning rain. Two Sand Martins, three Swallows, and singles of Yellow Wagtail and Whitethroat were on the Estate (the latter two new for the year). Three Pochards and a Swallow were on New Downs, a Sand Martin and 152 Sandwich Terns in Pegwell Bay, and 11 Swallows and three Sand Martins on RSPB Worth marshes.
Thursday 4th
RSPB Worth provided the main highlights of the day with four Egyptian Geese, two Pintails, two Garganeys, three Little Ringed Plovers, four Swallows, and six Sedge Warblers across the site. The Sandwich Tern flock on Restharrow Scrape increased to six.
We are looking for help in running our Field Centre. Volunteers are incredibly important in spreading our objectives, providing up-to-date news on recent sightings, and being a friendly interface for new visitors. If you think you are interested please email info@sbbot.org.uk.
Wednesday 3rd
There was very light trickle of Siskins heading south overhead. Four Sandwich Terns and four Mediterranean Gulls were among the throng of Black-headed Gulls on Restharrow Scrape. Wouldn't it be nice if they stayed to breed?
Tuesday 2nd
A strengthening westerly meant it was hard work but rewards came in the form of three Common Terns and 160 Sandwich Terns offshore, with three of the latter also on Restharrow Scrape briefly. At least 20 Siskins went south and two Red Kites north.
Monday 1st
Two White Wagtails were on the recently-ploughed field outside the Observatory but most interest was provided by the passage of Magpies through the area. At least 43 birds went north. Corvid movements are not talked about very often but they occur here annually around this time, often seen in small groups high up along the coastline. Keep you eyes open as a Hooded Crow could be hidden among them, it is a good time for finding one in Kent.
