As an accredited bird observatory and registered charity SBBOT is committed to the conservation and recording of the natural environment in the Sandwich Bay area, and in so doing offers opportunities for education, training and research.
This work is carried out by our Warden and Assistant Warden and a team of volunteers and is financed largely by our members by annual subscriptions and attendance at Club events. These events, the shop and the accommodation are also open to the public.
PresidentsBill Oddie OBE, our long-time President of the SBBOT, has been a birder since childhood. He has established a reputation as a conservationist, and television presenter on wildlife issues ... | TrusteesThe SBBOT is a registered charity run by the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust and is administered by the Council of Trustees and governed in line with our charitable aims and our Constitution ... |
StaffWe are lucky enough to employ outstanding people at SBBOT. Both the Warden and Assistant Warden started working as ‘interns’ before applying for permanent positions ... | Voluntary ManagersSBBOT simply could not operate without the dozens of volunteers who give their time freely. Some areas of work are actually managed by volunteers who are sincerely appreciated ... |
At the centre of all of the activities is the Field Centre, officially opened in September 2002 by our President Bill Oddie, it also allows the Trust to give something back to the local community, by being:
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- a home for the various clubs run by SBBOT
- by fulfilling the role of the Visitor Centre for people coming to the Bay
- by providing a classroom for schools and universities
- by providing facilities for talks meetings and activities
- by providing a base for courses (SBBO run or your own)
- by accommodating visitors in our self-catering accommodation
- and continuing as the home of the Bird Observatory.
We also maintain a number of habitats including Restharrow Scrape, the Elms, and a dragonfly pond. SBBOT supports the work of the National Trust, the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the management of the Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve and plays a major role in documenting the bird life of the estuary.