08/09/2018 Sandwich Bay in Kent with the East Grinstead Local Group

Saturday 8 September 2018
Sandwich Bay, Kent

East Grinstead Local Group

Sandwich Bay in the far NE corner of Kent was the venue for this month's outing.  We spent the morning in and around the bird observatory before heading off to Pegwell Bay in the afternoon.  The weather was overcast but it was dry, warm and calm.

• As ringing observations go, the  one at the observatory has to be the best ever with some outstanding birds seen at close quarters.  The undoubted star was a beautiful Firecrest, weighing in at just 5.1 grams.  A Goldcrest even pipped this at just 4.9 grams!  A cracking Lesser Whitethroat completed a star studded trio but that is not to take away from the other birds ringed which were also good to see.
• On the way to the hide we saw 2 stunning Whinchats in the Restharrow Dunes to the east and about 30 metres away.
• The outstanding sightings from the hide were a close Snipe and a Common Sandpiper along the side of the scrape.
• The skies were dominated by House Martins. This is a hot spot for Kestrels and they were seen continuously throughout. 

A 10 minute drive took us to Pegwell Bay where there were no birds to be seen on land so we concentrated on the sea birds.

• There were plenty of Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit at the waters edge but our attention was grabbed by a Peregrine sitting on the dunes, watching over the scene.  It stayed in the area throughout our visit, affording good views as it moved around.

 All 7 of us left very satisfied with our day - excited to see the star performers and so pleased to be in such a beautiful place.