Monday 9th
Three Little Gulls and a Marsh Harrier were offshore and a Pied Flycatcher was at the Chequers. The Estate held two Tree Pipits, a Redstart, eight Wheatears, and a Whinchat whilst singles of Little Tern and Curlew Sandpiper were in Pegwell Bay.
Thank you to everyone who has booked onto our mini-break to Portland in late April. There are very few spaces available so act quick if you wish to join us! Click HERE to read more.
Sunday 8th
The dearth of birds in the bushes was surprising considering the numbers making landfall further north in the UK. There were good numbers of Tree Pipit again though with at least 15 seen today. Most birds are picked up flying overhead. You can brush up on their flight calls HERE. Just when we thought that was going to be the highlight of the day a brilliant BROWN BOOBY flew north offshore. It was seen entering the Bay just before midday before lost. This is potentially the same bird seen off the Kent coast two-three times in the last three weeks and, if accepted, would be a new species for Sandwich Bay.
Saturday 7th
The morning continued how the evening left off with Tree Pipits still moving through. At least ten birds were seen. A Spotted Redshank was also on RSPB Worth marshes.
Friday 6th
A much calmer day but still grey and muggy. Bird of the day was undoubtedly the Bittern found on Restharrow Scrape mid-morning. After stalking the bank in the front of the Graham Crick hide it then flew across to the north-east corner. A Little Ringed Plover was also present and later in the day a Spoonbill dropped in too. There were small numbers of hirundines moving north over the Estate again, including four Swifts. The afternoon saw a big arrival of at least 35 Tree Pipits to area, plus a few Redstarts. On New Downs there was a Wood Sandpiper and two Curlew Sandpipers. A further Curlew Sandpiper was also seen in Pegwell Bay.
Thursday 5th
Fierce north-easterlies battered the Bay, even knocking out the power to the area for a while, and so sea-watching was the aim of the day. It was a touch disappointing considering the conditions but a few groups of wildfowl and waders went north with singles of Black Tern and Arctic Skua the highlights.
Wednesday 4th
A really nice variety of birds on the Estate today. Overhead 'vismig' comprised two Ospreys, 160 Sand Martins, 210 Swallows, four Yellow Wagtails, eight Grey Wagtails, four Pied Wagtails, and singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swift, and Little Egret north. There was a big increase in Robins to 58 and Blackcaps to 95, plus one Sedge Warbler, four Reed Warblers, five Whitethroats, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Garden Warbler, nine Willow Warblers, 30 Chiffchaffs, three Whinchats, and three Wheatears.
Tuesday 3rd
Two Little Terns were offshore and hundreds of Sand Martins around the Oasis area.
Please note, our annual vegetation clearance work on Restharrow Scrape will begin this Thursday (5th) and continue on both Mondays and Thursdays for at least a few weeks. Expect disturbance to area, particularly in the mornings. Thank you for your understanding.
Monday 2nd
A grey day with a hint of drizzle in the air. There was no sign of either of yesterday's highlights but there was a notable influx of hirundines, with 600 Swallows and 300 Sand Martins. Two Wigeons were on Restharrow Scrape and a Great White Egret flew over. Small numbers of Gulls and Terns were moving offshore, plus a male Common Scoter sat on the sea.
Sunday 1st
An ORTOLAN BUNTING was an excellent find on the Estate but all too brief. It flew in calling just south of Sandilands, alighted for a minute or so, and then flew back onto the Estate where, unfortunately, it could not be refound. However, eager eyes scouring the area picked up a WRYNECK instead which spent time sitting deep in cover at Dickson's Corner. Two Curlew Sandpipers were in the wader roost on the Estate beach and another three were in Pegwell Bay.