Friday 28th
A Mediterranean Gull flew over Restharrow Scrape and two Cattle Egrets were around the Observatory.
Thursday 27th
Two Great White Egrets were on RSPB Worth marshes and the White Wagtail was still outside the Observatory.
Wednesday 26th
There were a few signs of spring on the Estate with our first White Wagtail in with Pied Wagtails on the asparagus fields, two Marsh Harriers and singles of Fieldfare, Redwing, and Coal Tit passing through (perhaps en route back to breeding areas), a Chiffchaff, a pair of mating Kestrels, and now six Little Grebes on Restharrow Scrape jostling for space. Three Cattle Egrets were still around the Observatory area.
Tuesday 25th
A grey day on New Downs but full of activity with singles of Common Sandpiper and Merlin, two Bearded Tits, and 11 Corn Buntings. A summer-plumaged Mediterranean Gull was on the Green Wall, four Pochards on Restharrow Scrape, and two Cattle Egrets at the Observatory.
This Thursday evening we're sure to be in for a treat with Zoe Smith from the Roy Dennis Foundation talking to us about The Return of the White-tailed Sea Eagle to Southern England. In the last few years we've seen a number of these birds pass through our Recording Area. Come along for 7:30pm to get an update on the project.
Monday 24th
A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting over RSPB Worth marshes in the late afternoon. The species has been noticeably absent from the area this winter. Hopefully it sticks around.
Saturday 22nd
Three Cattle Egrets continued at the Observatory and the Dartford Warbler was still lurking in the Gorse in Restharrow Dunes. A White-fronted Goose also remained on New Downs.
Friday 21st
Ten Barnacle Geese, 11 White-fronted Geese, a Ringed Plover, and 12 Black-tailed Godwits were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Coming up soon John Buckingham will be delivering a special presentation at the Observatory on The Birds of Greece and it's Islands. We are also pleased that John has started another of his excellent online courses "Bills & Food - Nests, Eggs, and Young". John will discuss bill structure and feeding techniques and then the breeding cycle, including territories and display, plus a study of the huge diversity of nests, eggs and young. All will be illustrated with John’s superb quality and detailed images, plus recordings can be sent for any sessions missed. Tickets can bought for both HERE. Finally, don't forget that the new 2025 Membership cards are now available for collection at the Observatory. Please drop by and pick them up from the box in the Lecture Hall.
Thursday 20th
There were no reports of the Serins but it was quite wet and windy in the morning. Singles of Bittern, Spoonbill, and Great White Egret were on RSPB Worth marshes plus at least 2,500 Lapwings.
Wednesday 19th
At least two SERINS were still present on the banks at Restharrow Scrape.
Tuesday 18th
Singles of Coal Tit and Chiffchaff were on the Green Wall and lots of displaying birds of prey in the sunny weather. At midday there was a terrific discovery of at least three, perhaps four, SERINS on the banks at Restharrow Scrape. The birds were assorting with the mobile Linnet flock and quite flighty. Best place was to go past the first hide and stand at the corner by the bench (Grid ref TR36145693, W3W// promoting.couches.snap) and then look down the path to the second hide. The birds fly in and alight in the Willow along the left bank before dropping down on the other side of the bank out sight. Please keep to the path at all times. Over on RSPB Worth marshes 11 White-fronted Geese were new in and there were now ten Barnacle Geese whilst on New Downs there was an additional White-fronted Goose and 11 Pintails.
Monday 17th
A decent mix on RSPB Worth marshes for WeBS included Tundra Bean Goose, eight Barnacle Geese, Great White Egret, three Black-tailed Godwits, and a Green Sandpiper. Four Cattle Egrets and nine Yellowhammers continued around the hay bales behind the Observatory and farm buildings and at least 80 Skylarks were recorded across the area.
Sunday 16th
Two Great White Egrets, three Water Pipits, and the Tundra Bean Goose were on RSPB Worth marshes. Two Woodcocks were on the Estate.
Saturday 15th
The Tundra Bean Goose put in another appearance on RSPB Worth marshes and in Pegwell Bay there were four Avocets on the Garage Pool.
Friday 14th
Three Great White Egrets and two Water Pipits were noted on RSPB Worth marshes but best bird of the day was a Tundra Bean Goose seen briefly near Roaring Gutter. Three Tree Sparrows and three Cattle Egrets were in and around the Observatory area.
Thursday 13th
RSPB Worth marshes held a Great White Egret, two Egyptian Geese, two Barn Owls, and 31 Pochards, with three more of the latter on the Green Wall and another on Restharrow Scrape making a good total of 35 in the area currently.
Please note new 2025 Membership cards are now available for collection at the Observatory. Please drop by and pick them up from the box in the Lecture Hall.
Wednesday 12th
An Alexandrine Parakeet was an odd sight on the Estate, dwarfing the Ring-necked Parakeets with it. This bird has been touring the area on and off for at least six years now. The three Cattle Egrets were still at the Observatory, over 150 Fieldfares were feeding in the asparagus fields, and a Firecrest was in The Elms.
Tuesday 11th
The Dartford Warbler was more active today and showed ok around Restharrow Scrape and the Gorse bushes in Restharrow Dunes. Around the Observatory there were at least 75 Chaffinches and the flock of four Cattle Egrets.
Coming up soon John Buckingham will be delivering a special presentation at the Observatory on The Birds of Greece and it's Islands. We are also pleased that John will be starting another of his excellent online courses "Bills & Food - Nests, Eggs, and Young". John will discuss bill structure and feeding techniques and then the breeding cycle, including territories and display, plus a study of the huge diversity of nests, eggs and young. All will be illustrated with John’s superb quality and detailed images. Tickets can bought for both HERE.
Monday 10th
A Cattle Egret was near the Observatory again and a Caspian Gull was offshore.
Saturday 8th
Despite lots of Red-throated Diver seen off North Foreland only a handful passed us, though two Caspian Gulls came by the beach and a distant small Grebe spied (most likely a Black-necked). Two Water Pipits and a Great White Egret were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Friday 7th
A few Kittiwakes and Fulmars came past offshore in the strong winds and a Pochard was new on Restharrow Scrape. Three Cattle Egrets remained at the Observatory.
Thursday 6th
There was a small increase in Chiffchaffs in the area, still too early for an arrival of spring birds so most likely wintering birds that have begun to get more active. The Dartford Warbler was reported again in Restharrow Dunes and a Tawny Owl was also calling on the Green Wall after dark.
Wednesday 5th
A brief Bittern was the star of the show as it flew unexpectedly out of a ditch on RSPB Worth marshes. The regular flock of 40 White-fronted Geese and two Barnacle Geese were in the field north of the Chequers and two Tree Sparrows and ten Yellowhammers around the hay bales down from the Observatory. Four Cattle Egrets were also present around the Observatory and in the asparagus fields.
Tuesday 4th
A Peregrine spent the whole day hunting and causing havoc over the Estate and Willow Farm and a Redshank on Restharrow Scrape was a rare record for the site these days.
This Thursday we have a great presentation ahead of us with David Lodge talking about the Bitterns at Stodmarsh. We also have a upcoming walks to East Blean Woods and Godmersham, whilst most excitingly a two-day art course with renowned bird artist Steve Cale will go ahead on 19th and 20th September. Tickets are already going fast for the latter. To get tickets go HERE.
Monday 3rd
The goose flock was just north of the Chequers/Greenacres in the morning and contained two Barnacle, seven Canada, and 32 White-fronted in with the Greylag Geese. A lone Cattle Egret was at the Observatory and four Water Pipits were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Sunday 2nd
A thick frost overnight with temperatures reaching almost minus 5 degrees. New Downs held two Egyptian Geese and three Pintails with good views of Peregrine and Raven tussling overhead.
Saturday 1st
Eight White-fronted Geese were on RSPB Worth marshes and three Caspian Gulls in Pegwell Bay.