Become a Member
The very best way you can support the work of the trust is to become a member… not just because the income from fees is a useful boost to our funds, but so that you can fully enjoy the programmes and resources of the Trust.
Look around the website and see what we do and how you can benefit nature locally and immerse yourself in it. Some activities have fees, but being a member means getting preferential rates - when you join take a look at our 'members only pages'
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory is supported by over 750 members, the life-blood of the Trust. We appreciate their membership and thank them for their continued support.
All members are sent a monthly newsletter by email entitled “BayNews” updating them on the work of the Trust, recent sightings and serious (or not so serious) short articles. Currently those who do not have an email address are sent a quarterly printed version of "BayNews" that includes sightings from the previous three months. In addition, all members receive a free copy of our Annual Report. From January 2027, as result of the increase in costs of post and print, if a member wants either a paper quarterly digest or a printed version of the Annual Report there will be a nominal charge of £10 for each per year.
Members can enjoy our regular events such as our ever-popular Thursday illustrated lectures, and the regular guided birding walks. In addition to this, members can participate in all of our other activities including organised birding trips and holidays.
Members of the Observatory will receive a complimentary pass from the private Sandwich Bay Estate. This can be collected in March each year. The toll personnel will be given a list of members with their car registration who will then issue a car window screen sticker for free access to the Bird Observatory. (Please note: passes give access to the SBBO Field Centre only and require you to leave by the same toll gate that you entered by).
Members also benefit from reduced accommodation rates at the Field Centre apart from the Airbnb apartment - The Roost.
Without our members the Trust would not function: they are involved in Bird Observatory work including ringing and censusing, conservation, organising events and maintaining the Field Centre. For more information on volunteering please use this link.
Our membership runs from January to December.
Those joining as new members on or after 1st October in any year have membership benefits for the remainder of that calendar year and the following calendar year.
There are several membership categories:
| Category | Cost |
| Individual | £30 |
| Joint / Family | £40 |
| Senior / Unwaged | £25 |
| Joint Senior / Unwaged | £35 |
| Junior (under 21) | Free |
| Corporate | From £50 |
| Life | £800 |
| Schools & Charities | From £50 |
If you have any concerns regarding the management of SBBOT please ask for a copy of our Complaints Procedure.