Friday 31st
An Osprey spent time fishing in Pegwell Bay and then headed off to New Downs with a decent sized Mullet.
The weather next week is very mixed but at this time of year I always like to remind myself of the songs of two late spring migrants, Marsh Warbler and Blyth's Reed Warbler. The former is a rare breeder in the UK which turns up at Sandwich Bay almost annually, whilst the latter is a rarer bird, but one that is becoming more and more frequent. Their songs are similar with lots mimicry, but the pacing is different. The Marsh is a lot faster and zanier. Check out Xeno Canto for songs of both and also give this Sound Approach Article a read. Good luck.
Thursday 30th
The switch to a north-westerly made things a lot cooler and there were a few heavy downpours. There was no sign of the Red-footed Falcon today, perhaps moved on by the weather. A late Brent Goose in Pegwell was the highlight.
Wednesday 29th
A Spotted Flycatcher in the Oasis and a Red Kite overhead were the only new birds of to report, but a RED-FOOTED FALCON still performed well inland on the marshes. In the evening over 600 Swifts were in the Pegwell area.
Of interest was news from the Roy Dennis Foundation that the White-tailed Eagle on RSPB Worth marshes last week was not one of their released birds from the Isle of Wight project and instead most likely a vagrant from the Continent.
Monday 27th
Despite the Bank Holiday visitors to the area the heavy showers limited sightings, but at least one RED-FOOTED FALCON was still present.
Sunday 26th
Wood Sandpiper and Garganey on RSPB Worth marshes once again played second fiddle to the RED-FOOTED FALCONS. A Honey-buzzard was also reported.
Saturday 25th
RSPB Worth marshes continued attract the birds and the people. Both of the RED-FOOTED FALCONS performed well to their admirers. There has been some discussion that three female birds may actually present. If anyone confirms all three at the same time, or has photos of the individual birds, then please email info@sbbot.org.uk. In the evening two CRANES flew north over the Estate.
Friday 24th
The star birds continued to perform today with the WHITE-TAILED EAGLE seen in the morning on Willow Farm, viewable from the Drove (approx. TR36585602). As the temperature rose and the invertebrates became more active, so did the falcons, and both of the female RED-FOOTED FALCONS were hawking and showing well on the other side of RSPB Worth marshes (approx. TR346561). Just after midday a WHITE STORK flew over and in the evening a brood of Pintail were seen on the marshes, making for another special day in the area.
This week marks 60 years since our one and only record of Little Bittern. I'm not being greedy but if another continental overshoot is on the cards then one of them would be very nice.
Thursday 23rd
Yesterday's WHITE-TAILED EAGLE showed briefly on RSPB Worth marshes early on before drifting off south, only to be seen again later in the day. Whilst flying around it also disturbed the PURPLE HERON which relocated out of sight (as always..). There was then further interest in the afternoon when two different female RED-FOOTED FALCONS were found on the marsh. There was also a big increase in Swifts, with a few hundred hawking over the Estate and marshes inland, and a late Grey Wagtail on the Estate.
Wednesday 22nd
A/the PURPLE HERON put in another brief appearance flying south over the Green Wall and our first Avocet chicks were seen on RSPB Worth marshes. A Great White Egret, a pair of Egyptian Geese with two goslings, and a Spotted Flycatcher were on New Downs. In the afternoon a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was found on RSPB Worth marshes.
Tuesday 21st
A hepatic-form female Cuckoo was on the Estate being chased around by the local male. The Quail remained on Worth Marshes whilst the low cloud and rain dropped several flocks of Swifts into the area.
Monday 20th
Singles of Turtle Dove and Quail were present on RSPB Worth Marshes in the cooler, overcast conditions. Two drake Garganey were also on the pools. Our first Lapwing chicks were on Restharrow Scrape.
Sunday 19th
The PURPLE HERON was seen again after a short absence flying south over the Estate and then onto RSPB Worth Marshes early in the day. A small northward passage of Red Kites occurred throughout the area and a Honey-buzzard flew north over the Green Wall. The WHITE STORK remained on Worth in the early morning before flying out of the area and at least two Turtle Doves were present on site.
Saturday 18th
It was something of a red-letter day for RSPB Worth Marshes as a selection of scarcities had dropped into the area. It was pleasing to join in on the notable East coast influx with a fine male RED-BACKED SHRIKE discovered early morning, utilising a hedgerow out in the fields near Roaring Gutter, where it remained for the day. Another TEMMINCK'S STINT was present on Blue Pigeons Flood though disappeared mid-morning and then a superb male RED-FOOTED FALCON was found hawking over the Great Wood sharing the airspace with multiple Hobbies and 50+ Swifts. A Red Kite would soar over in the mid-afternoon, quickly followed by a WHITE STORK which then dropped onto the fields west of the Great Wood. Three Turtle Doves and two Quails were also present.
Friday 17th
It was a much nicer day compared to yesterday's wet weather. There was an unseasonal flock of seven Barnacle Geese that flew south over the Estate. A Honey-buzzard that flew north over RSPB Worth marshes was more typical.
Wednesday 15th
The soundscape of the Estate was full of the recently-fledged Robins, Blackbirds, and Long-tailed Tits. Some of the Blue Tit and Great Tit broods are quite loud in the nestboxes too so they won't be long before fledged. A Quail sang briefly on RSPB Worth marshes and two Garganeys, a Red Kite, a Great White Egret, two Wood Sandpipers, and a Turtle Dove were present.
Tuesday 14th
A day with intermittent rain showers. Hopes were high that waders and terns may have dropped into Pegwell Bay for respite, but there were not the numbers as expected. At least 60 Ringed Plovers were present with smaller numbers of Grey Plovers and Dunlins. A Red Kite flew north over the Estate.
Monday 13th
Two Red Kites, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, and a Grey Wagtail flew north over the Estate and a Willow Warbler was in the bushes. Over on RSPB Worth marshes 11 Black-tailed Godwits and a Wood Sandpiper were the best on show.
Sunday 12th
Two Coal Tits on the Green Wall was the first sighting for a while, whilst over on RSPB Worth marshes the PURPLE HERON put in another appearance, both a Spoonbill and a Great White Egret dropped in, and at least two Turtle Doves were purring. Analysis of our 'nocmig' recorders produced our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year calling over Stonar in the early hours of the morning.
Saturday 11th
After a night gazing at the impressive showing of the Northern Lights, attention changed back to the birds and early in the morning the PURPLE HERON was seen on RSPB Worth marshes. The flock of migrant waders around Blue Pigeons included four Grey Plovers, 43 Ringed Plovers, two Turnstones with a similar range of species in Pegwell Bay at high tide. Also off interest was a Red-footed Falcon nearby over Ham Fen. Well worth keeping at eye out for it in the area.
Friday 10th
The PURPLE HERON put in it's best appearance for some time, showing well on the reedy pools west of the Great Wood on RSPB Worth marshes. There was also an impressive flock of nine Wood Sandpipers on the marsh.
Thursday 9th
Three Red Kites flew north and there were notable counts of six Grey Plovers and 14 Golden Plovers inland on RSPB Worth marshes.
Wednesday 8th
A Little Stint was in Pegwell Bay and at least two drake Garganeys on RSPB Worth marshes. There was an arrival of Swifts and hirundines into the area and seven Red Kites flew north. Analysis of our sound recorders revealed a Quail flying over in the early hours of the morning.
Tuesday 7th
A good mix of waders in Pegwell Bay at high tide included 66 Dunlins, 41 Ringed Plovers, 11 Sanderlings, five Greenshanks, four Knots, six Whimbrels, 18 Grey Plovers, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits, and five Turnstones. Singles of Spoonbill, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, and Turtle Dove were on RSPB Worth marshes. In the evening, yet again the PURPLE HERON put in a brief appearance flying north.
Monday 6th
There were Curlew Sandpipers at both Pegwell Bay and RSPB Worth marshes, whilst also at the latter site were 44 Ringed Plovers, a Garden Warbler, and two Grasshopper Warblers.
Sunday 5th
Participants on the early Dawn Chorus Walk were treated to a Spoonbill on RSPB Worth marshes. At least four Hobbies and 14 Ringed Plovers were also present.
Saturday 4th
Our second GOLDEN ORIOLE of the spring was singing on the Green Wall. It only stayed briefly and headed off north, as is usual of this species. Meanwhile the elusive PURPLE HERON continued to play hide-and-seek. It was seen briefly in the morning on RSPB Worth marshes. A Great White Egret present was more co-operative.
Friday 3rd
Hopes were high after a big arrival along many eastern sites in the UK yesterday afternoon. Alas, there was no hoped-for Pied Flycatcher but a singing male Redstart between the Observatory and the Worth track was welcome compensation. Four Little Terns were in Pegwell Bay and a Willow Warbler in the Whitehouse. A handful of Whimbrels, Swifts, and Yellow Wagtails made up the rest until the evening when the PURPLE HERON was re-found on Willow Farm, and subsequently flew north over the Estate.
Thursday 2nd
A surprise PURPLE HERON was flushed out of Waldershare Gully mid-morning, circled the Estate, before drifting over to Willow Farm and then north. Meanwhile the TEMMINCK'S STINT was seen again on RSPB Worth marshes. Four-five Cuckoos were singing throughout the Recording Area.
Wednesday 1st
It was a really warm start to the month. A Greenshank, two Cuckoos, and three Yellow Wagtails were on the Estate, a Tree Pipit flew over Pegwell, and a male Hen Harrier, two Turtle Doves, and two Whinchats were on RSPB Worth marshes, with the TEMMINCK'S STINT reappearing in the afternoon.
This upcoming Sunday we have InFocus visiting us. They will have a variety of optics and equipment with them to test. Feel free to come by and check them out.
