Friday 31st
Thankfully the temperatures were not as hot today. Another 40 Willow Warbler were on the Estate again and a juvenile Wheatear was at Sandilands.
Thursday 30th
Just under 40 Willow Warblers were scattered around the Estate whilst singles of Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper, and three Green Sandpipers, were all on Restharrow Scrape.
Wednesday 29th
Three Green Sandpipers were on Restharrow Scrape and in the Oasis/Haven area there were five each of Reed and Sedge Warbler, one Garden Warbler, and 20 Willow Warblers.
Tuesday 28th
A bash around the Estate early on produced 14 Willow Warblers, one Garden Warbler, 24 Whitethroats, three Lesser Whitethroats, three Reed Warblers, five Sand Martins, and a Red Kite. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the New Downs New Pool area and five Wood Sandpipers on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Monday 27th
There was a small arrival of 12 Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher on the Estate. Two Little Gulls were also on the beach just south of Sandilands. Perhaps the most outstanding record was of at least 3,150 Mediterranean Gulls in Pegwell Bay, a new record total for the area.
Today we at SBBOT were also very sad to hear that our President for half a century, Bill Oddie, has passed away. He supported us in many ways across the years as we have grown and developed. We send our condolences to his family.
Saturday 25th
Our first Whinchat of the autumn was on RSPB Worth Marshes. On the Estate were singles of Garden Warbler and Green Sandpiper plus two Ravens.
Friday 24th
Two Willow Warblers, two Bullfinches, and a Treecreeper were on the Estate. The latter was an increasingly rare local record. Hundreds of Mediterranean Gulls were over RSPB Worth Marshes and a minimum of 870 in Pegwell Bay.
Thursday 23rd
A little quieter today with a juvenile Willow Warbler and five Reed Warblers in the Haven, the Pintail on Restharrow Scrape again, and an odd record of a Lapwing on the Dragonfly Ponds.
Wednesday 22nd
The day got off to a good start with a Wood Warbler caught by the ringing team. The PECTORAL SANDPIPER remained on New Downs, an Osprey flew over, whilst the Pintail re-emerged on Restharrow Scrape. A Willow Warbler was also new on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Tuesday 21st
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was the clear highlight on New Downs. The bird was on the South Pool (approx. TR339553) early in the morning before flying off strongly north-west only to be re-found again on the same pool hours later. Seven Green Sandpipers, ten Common Sandpipers, 23 Redshanks, 31 Cattle Egrets, and 11 Bearded Tits were also on site.
A reminder that if visiting New Downs there is room for a few member's cars at the Polytunnels (TR342587). Please display a membership card in the dashboard (obtainable upon request from the Warden or the Membership Secretary) and then walk along the raised bund to the first pool on the right. Please note that the gates at the entrance road to New Downs often shut in the evening, so don't stay too late. Alternatively, if you are not a member there is more parking at Sandwich Quay and you can walk along the river to the Polytunnels.
Monday 20th
Today's highlights included a Greenshank on Restharrow Scrape, single Grey and Yellow Wagtails over the Observatory, and the big flock of Cattle Egrets still inland on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Sunday 19th
Six Greenshanks, 36 Common Sandpipers, four Green Sandpipers, 450 Mediterranean Gulls, and 20 Sand Martins were on New Downs. Singles of Cuckoo and Yellow Wagtail were on the Estate.
Saturday 18th
An influx of Cattle Egrets occurred on RSPB Worth Marshes with at least 31 present, perhaps more.
Friday 17th
Five Sand Martins, three Yellow Wagtails, and a Willow Warbler were on the Estate. Autumn creeps closer...
Thursday 16th
A juvenile Yellow Wagtail was on Restharrow Scrape, a Cattle Egret was at the Drove, and a Tufted Duck dropped into the Dragonfly Ponds. Six Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, and a Ruff were on RSPB Worth Marshes.
Wednesday 15th
Autumn waders continue to trickle in with two Whimbrels on the Green Wall and four at the Point. Singles of Common Sandpiper and Great Crested Grebe were on the Green Wall and a massive 1,500 Mediterranean Gulls were loafing in Pegwell Bay.
Tuesday 14th
Three Sandwich Terns, 11 Canada Geese, and a Corn Bunting were at Restharrow Scrape, two Bar-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel flew past offshore, and there was a good total of 13 Green Sandpipers on RSPB Worth Marshes.
A reminder that the deadline for our calendar competition is approaching. Thank you to those who have already submitted photos. If you have you taken photos on one of our reserves in the last 12 months please consider sending (up to three) photos as jpegs to admin@sbbot.org.uk to be considered for inclusion in our SBBOT Calendar for 2027. We are looking for photos that showcase our reserves – with or without the wonderful wildlife they encourage – across the whole year. The photos could be taken on any device, and anyone can have a go (novice or expert). We do ask for the images to be as original as possible – no AI enhancement please. We’d love to have entries from as many different people as possible. The deadline for submission is 24th July 2026.
Monday 13th
Singles of Greenshank were on Restharrow Scrape and in Pegwell Bay, with 660 Mediterranean Gulls, 56 Sandwich Terns, and a Common Tern also at the latter.
Sunday 12th
A flock of 12 Black-tailed Godwits and juvenile Yellow Wagtail were on RSPB Worth Marshes. Two Egyptian Geese were on Restharrow Scrape.
Saturday 11th
A singing Corn Bunting was a (now) rare record for RSPB Worth Marshes. Six Green Sandpipers, two Greenshanks, and a Dunlin were on the pools.
Friday 10th
Highlights from the Green Wall were Yellowhammer, Coal Tit, and Goldcrest, all scarce breeders within the SBBOT Recording Area. At least 17 Swifts ranged over from Sandwich Town. A Grey Wagtail was also at the Polytunnels on New Downs. In the evening singles of Black Tern and Little Tern were in Pegwell Bay.
Wednesday 8th
Singles of Marsh Harrier and Coal Tit were on the Estate. The main talking point was the gull flock next to Restharrow Scrape containing at least 345 Mediterranean Gulls, most of which adults/near-adults. Over on New Downs it was hot work. There were 13 Little Egrets and 59 Lapwings on the pools.
Tuesday 7th
Two BEE-EATERS flew north over RSPB Worth Marshes.
Monday 6th
I think most people were either recovering from the Mexican shenanigans overnight or simply avoiding the heatwave. Either way most records came from early on before the sun got too much. The Black-headed Gulls seemed to have moved off Restharrow Scrape and are now sitting in the field just south. At least 26 Mediterranean Gulls were with them.
Sunday 5th
A Quail singing at the Point was well overdue. The Pegwell afternoon high tide held one Arctic Tern, 65 Sandwich Terns, three Black-tailed Godwits, and approximately 500 Mediterranean Gulls. A Snipe on RSPB Worth Marshes was the first of autumn.
Friday 3rd
A family of Stonechats were on Prince's Beach. Seven Sand Martins and a Greenshank flew north. Over on RSPB Worth Marshes six Red Kites flew through, six Green Sandpipers and a Spotted Redshank were on the pools, and four Turtle Doves were knocking around. Eight Oystercatchers on Restharrow Scrape was unusual.
Thursday 2nd
Two Golden Plovers and our first returning Brent Goose of the autumn were around the Pegwell/Point area.
Wednesday 1st
The Pintail was seen again on Restharrow Scrape and a Spotted Flycatcher was on RSPB Worth Marshes.