Monday 31st
There was a procession of Mediterranean Gulls through the area in small parties and later as it got warmer there were at least three Red Kites north, plus a BLACK KITE which went south over RSPB Worth marshes towards Deal. A Cattle Egret was moving between the Estate and Willow Farm, a Sand Martin went north, and a Yellow Wagtail was at the Chequers.
Sunday 30th
A Hawfinch flew over the road by the Sandwich Toll Booth and a Marsh Harrier powered through the Estate. A Wheatear was at Sandilands and over on RSPB Worth marshes there were two Blue-headed Wagtails, two White Wagtails, four Swallows, and five Little Ringed Plovers.
Saturday 29th
Five Red Kites and our first House Martin of the year went north.
Friday 28th
Two Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps, a Firecrest, and three Wheatears were on the Estate. A Yellow-legged Gull and a handful of Sandwich Terns were in Pegwell Bay whilst a Woodlark flew over the Country Park. A few more Sandwich Terns were seen moving through offshore as well as a Great Northern Diver. Six White Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail, and three Blackcaps were the highlights on RSPB Worth marshes.
Thursday 27th
A Fulmar glided over the Observatory, five Red Kites went north, and two Pochards remained on Restharrow Scrape. There were just the two Great White Egrets on RSPB Worth marshes today plus a single Cattle Egret.
Wednesday 26th
Lots of Redwings were heard flying over last night and at dawn this morning. A subsequent analysis of the 'Nocmig' gear at Stonar revealed over 2,300 Redwing calls. A Yellow Wagtail on RSPB Worth marshes was new for the year whilst at least six Great White Egrets were recorded on the marsh, with another on New Downs equalling our highest ever day-count (seven were seen in Pegwell Bay on 17th October 2018). Three White-fronted Geese were also on New Downs. There was also a noticeable pulse of raptor migration which included 31 Buzzards, 12 Marsh Harriers, and six Red Kites going north.
Tuesday 25th
Our first Willow Warbler was on RSPB Worth marshes along with two White Wagtails, whilst a Woodlark flew north along Prince's Beach. A flock of at least 12 White Wagtails were around the hay bales behind the Observatory and farm buildings and a Sandwich Tern flew along the shore in the afternoon.
Monday 24th
Singles of Marsh Harrier and Common Sandpiper were on the Green Wall whilst the Estate provided Brambling, Rock Pipit, and three Cattle Egrets. There was a reasonable movement of 355 Brent Geese offshore, as well as singles of Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. A lone White-fronted Goose was near the Chequers whilst Ruff, Water Pipit (in summer plumage), eight White Wagtails, ten Swallows, 47 Sand Martins, and a Brambling were all on RSPB Worth marshes.
Sunday 23rd
A Red Kite and a Swallow flew over the Estate, the latter new for the year, along with the 15 Sand Martins on RSPB Worth marshes. Two new Black Redstarts were between New Downs and Prince's Golf Course and eight Greenfinches was a significant count at the Observatory.
Saturday 22nd
There were now four Black Redstarts at Sandilands including two very smart adult males. Four Bramblings and a Little Ringed Plover flew over the Estate with two Cattle Egrets and two White Wagtails present. Two Green Sandpipers, two Egyptian Geese, and a Water Pipit were on New Downs. Two Blackcaps were new singing on RSPB Worth marshes with a White-fronted Goose, eight White Wagtails, and a Ruff dotted around on the site.
Friday 21st
At least 650 Chaffinches flew south overhead in light southerly overcast conditions. Singles of Woodcock, Black Redstart, and Firecrest were on the Estate, and four Little Ringed Plovers were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Thursday 20th
The highlight from the Estate was our first two Black Redstarts of spring around the Sandilands area. There was a Firecrest in The Elms and a Dunlin on Restharrow Scrape. Three Cattle Egrets continued around the back of the Observatory and farm buildings. Further inland there were ten Black-tailed Godwits, nine Dunlins, and a Rock Pipit on RSPB Worth marshes whilst another Black Redstart was also around Prince's Beach.
Black Redstart by S.Ray
Wednesday 19th
Small numbers of finches moving through the Estate included four Greenfinch and a Bullfinch (the former is unfortunately our highest count this year). A few Redwings and a Woodcock dropped in and there was a light passage of two Avocets north and 40 Brent Geese offshore (nowhere near the thousands recorded elsewhere along the Kent coast today). A White Wagtail, a White-fronted Goose, and a few thousand Starlings were on RSPB Worth marshes with a Green Sandpiper and another Woodcock on New Downs.
Tuesday 18th
A movement of Chaffinches first thing saw around 200 birds go south in the fresh breeze. When the sun came there were more raptors moving around too, including a large brown falcon species on RSPB Worth marshes presumably lost by a local falconer. Three Ruffs and a Cattle Egret were on the pools.
We still have some sessions when the shop and reception area are not staffed, and we
would love to be able to have it open every day from 10am - 4pm. If you could offer a morning or afternoon slot once a week, or just occasionally, please contact info@sbbot.org.uk for more information.
Monday 17th
Around 4,500 Starlings were flocking on RSPB Worth marshes and two White Wagtails were in the asparagus fields outside the Observatory.
Sunday 16th
There was a small arrival of Avocets into the area and one Ruff remained on RSPB Worth marshes.
Saturday 15th
The bitter cold made counts for WeBS difficult in the northern sectors but over 230 Sanderlings were counted between Pegwell Bay and the Point, and an adult Caspian Gull put in an appearance. Singles of Ruff and Water Pipit were on RSPB Worth marshes.
Friday 14th
An impressive flock of 65 Corn Buntings was on New Downs along with singles of Grey Plover and Firecrest and at least seven Bearded Tits. Over 800 Starlings moved through the Estate, mostly south, and two Cattle Egrets and eight Yellowhammers remained around the back of the Observatory and farm buildings.
Thursday 13th
There was another sighting of the elusive Bittern which has presumably wintered on RSPB Worth marshes. Also of note were singles of Slavonian Grebe and Marsh Harrier north offshore.
Wednesday 12th
Four Red Kites drifted over and there were a handful of finches, pipits, wagtails, and buntings moving along the shore. Two Egyptian Geese flying north offshore were an odd sight and probably the first ever recorded on a seawatch here! Four Little Ringed Plovers were on RSPB Worth marshes as well as 16 White-fronted Geese, two Barnacle Geese, and a White Wagtail, with another White Wagtail on the Estate too.
Tuesday 11th
Two Cattle Egrets remained around the Observatory as did three Water Pipits on RSPB Worth marshes. Two Little Ringed Plovers were also seen on the marshes.
Monday 10th
Seven Siskins were on the Green Wall and Cetti's Warblers were becoming very vocal. A Hen Harrier and 14 White-fronted Geese were seen on RSPB Worth marshes, two Red Kites flew north, and our first Sandwich Terns flew through Pegwell Bay.
Sunday 9th
A Red Kite flew over the Observatory with a Firecrest present in the carpark, whilst the SERINS were in and out of Restharrow Scrape, and nine Mediterranean Gulls dropped in on RSPB Worth marshes.
Saturday 8th
Two White Wagtails were new on RSPB Worth marshes with 14 White-fronted Geese also on show. Three Firecrests performed well around the Observatory and two Cattle Egrets were not far away. At least one SERIN was at Restharrow Scrape.
Friday 7th
Another day with a good mix of birds on show. New Downs held a Merlin, two Common Sandpipers, and two White Wagtails whilst the two SERINS were at Restharrow Scrape still. There were two Tree Sparrows and three Cattle Egrets behind the Observatory and farm, and nine Barnacle Geese and 11 White-fronted Geese on RSPB Worth marshes. Across the area there was a small influx of Chiffchaffs and a handful of Siskins moving through overhead, whilst a Blackcap trapped and ringed on the Estate was probably our first returning migrant.
Thursday 6th
Quite the range of birds available with at least six Barnacle and five White-fronted Geese on Willow Farm viewable from the Drove, two SERINS and two Mediterranean Gulls at Restharrow Scrape, a Cattle Egret near the Worth track, one White Wagtail in with Pied Wagtails on the asparagus fields outside the Observatory, and a Tree Sparrow in with the Yellowhammers at the hay bales behind the Observatory. A Red Kite flew over RSPB Worth marshes, where a Ruff was present.
Wednesday 5th
A few small signs of spring with a party of Siskins in the Haven and a number of Chiffchaffs singing on the Estate. The SERINS remained at Restharrow Scrape but were mobile.
Tuesday 4th
The SERINS were still at Restharrow Scrape on and off throughout the day. A Great White and two Ruffs were on RSPB Worth marshes and our first Little Ringed Plover of spring flew over the Estate.
Monday 3rd
Despite thick fog for the first part of the morning there were birds to be seen. Six Ruff and a Red Kite were on RSPB Worth marshes and the SERINS remained at Restharrow Scrape. They showed very well in the morning before becoming more mobile as the fog burnt off.
Sunday 2nd
The biggest news of the day was the re-discovery of the SERINS at Restharrow Scrape after going missing for almost two weeks. As before, they showed well on the Brambles, Willows, and scrub growing along the bunds between the first hide and the second hide. Seven Mediterranean Gulls and a Ruff were seen on RSPB Worth marshes and a further Mediterranean Gulls at the Point.
Saturday 1st
Our first Red Kite of the year flew north over RSPB Worth marshes.