Tuesday 17th
A little thin on the ground today with just singles of Red Kite and Curlew north overhead. A few Golden Orioles made landfall around Kent though so there's still time to find a late spring migrant at Sandwich Bay. Trumpeter Finch anyone?
Monday 16th
The signs of autumn have been upon us for the last week or so but today's Wood Sandpiper on RSPB Worth marshes kicked it off properly. Over the next two weeks we should see more returning adult waders (usually birds that have failed breeding and started their return journey early), particularly Curlew, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper.
Sunday 15th
There were now five Black-tailed Godwits on RSPB Worth marshes but the biggest news of the day was an unexpected influx of Cattle Egrets with at least 20, perhaps as high as 24, spread through the Recording Area.
Saturday 14th
Two Red Kites headed north over the Estate and a few more Mediterranean Gulls went over calling. Reports from various places along the East Coast suggest a failure of many of the Mediterranean Gull breeding colonies unfortunately, which presumably explains the unusually large numbers moving through our area at this time of year. A Black-tailed Godwit was on RSPB Worth marshes.
Friday 13th
A Honey-buzzard went over RSPB Worth marshes and Turtle Doves were reasonably active on the site. There was another sighting of the unseasonal Grey Wagtail in the Prince's Golf Course area.
Thursday 12th
A party of 13 Mediterranean Gulls dropped into Restharrow Scrape in the morning. By midday the temperature had risen significantly and most activity in the area was reduced, or at least people hid indoors. In late afternoon a Great White Egret flew across RSPB Worth marshes.
Wednesday 11th
At least three family groups of Wrens were across the Estate and Lapwing numbers were building on Restharrow Scrape as 13 were present. Two Avocets flew south, a pair of Sandwich Terns oddly headed inland, another 13 were offshore, and an unseasonal Grey Wagtail flew over Prince's Golf Course.
Tuesday 10th
There was a good showing of warblers on the Green Wall with family parties and lots of singing still, and an early autumn movement of 16 Lapwings overhead.
Our apartment is now available again to book! This self-contained apartment with private bathroom, sitting room, kitchenette, bedroom with twin beds, and a separate entrance can be booked via our website HERE. So why not come for a visit? As well as the apartment we also offer a Single Room, five Twin Rooms, and a Family Room. Whatever you reason for visiting Kent, the Field Centre offers modern, comfortable, self-catering accommodation with a kitchen, library, wi-fi, and free parking, allowing you to be on hand for early morning ringing, late night moth-trapping, or just time to explore the local area.
Monday 9th
There were singles of Teal and Sandwich Tern on Restharrow Scrape and a Turtle Dove was displaying along the Worth track.
Sunday 8th
A flock of 12 Greenfinches over the Whitehouse was by far the most notable record of the day. A big thank you to everyone who came to our AGM and stayed for the BBQ. It was great to see so many people.
Friday 6th
It was another day of hard work in the strengthening winds and periodic squalls. Mediterranean Gulls seemed to be on the move again though with at least 40 spread around the Estate, Restharrow Scrape, and offshore. Four Sandwich Terns also popped into Restharrow Scrape, it's been a good spring for this.
Thursday 5th
A day of increasingly strong winds. There were a handful of Sandwich Terns Mediterranean Gulls, and Swifts moving offshore or overhead.
Wednesday 4th
An early walk along Prince's Beach produced a singing Grasshopper Warbler, a newly-hatched Ringed Plover, two fledged Stonechats, 18 Sanderlings, and nine Canada Geese south. A Kingfisher was on New Downs and four Crossbills flew south over the Chequers.
Tuesday 3rd
Waders over the early high tide in Pegwell included 176 Oystercatchers, 17 Ringed Plovers, three Curlews, two Dunlins, and one late Whimbrel.
Monday 2nd
A bit of raptor action with Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, seven Buzzards, and a Peregrine over the Estate and seven Hobbies over RSPB Worth marshes.