A total of 76 species is very poor, compared with a ten-year average of 86, and last years high total of 95 species. The first quarter total of 101 species is also low with a ten-year average of 105.2. Only six species were added to the year list, a Red-necked Grebe on 18th and an Osprey on 25th, our earliest, were the best. Of classic summer visitors, only Swallow made it before the end of the month.

101 species so far this year

112 species by this time last year

31st

Cloudy, cool. moderate NW wind. One Red-throated Diver flew west, there were four Great Crested Grebes offshore, six Greylag Geese flew west over the Obs, 24 Common Scoters flew west, including a flock of 22 close inshore, and there were five Brent Geese on the beach. Waders included 25 Oystercatchers and 16 Sanderlings on the beach, two Snipe on the Marsh Pool, eight Curlews and 11 Redshanks. Eight Mediterranean Gulls flew east, a Stock Dove was on the coastal path, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was only our second of the year, 37 Meadow Pipits flew west and the Cetti’s Warbler was still present. Finally, three Corn Buntings in the scrub early morning included a singing bird and 24 Linnets was ahigh count.

30th

Sunny periods, cool, fresh WNW wind. There was one Great Crested Grebe offshore, two Greylag Geese flew east, two Shelducks flew west and a single Brent Goose was on the beach. Waders included 19 Oystercatchers roosting on the shingle ridge, eight Sanderlings on the beach, the Purple Sandpiper between the groynes and five Snipe and four Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. Also noted, one Mediterranean Gull east, five Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach, two Swallows, the Cetti’s Warbler and three singing Chiffchaffs.

28th

Sunny, moderate westerly wind. One Red-throated Diver flew west, a single Brent Goose was on the beach and a duck Teal on the Marsh Pool. Waders included 18 Sanderlings, 20 Turnstones and the Purple Sandpiper roosting between the groynes. 59 Black-headed Gulls and two immature Common Gulls flew west and there were 84 Herring Gulls on the beach.

27th

There were a few Red-throated Divers offshore, a Velvet Scoter flew west at 6.20 am and a flock of c20 Common Scoters flew west later. Waders included Ringed Plover and the Purple Sandpiper. There were four Shovelers on the Marsh Pool. Some Siskins, new for the year, flew west in the company of Goldfinches.

26th

Sunny, cold, fresh NW wind. There were nine Great Crested Grebes offshore and ten Brent Geese on the beach. Three Shovelers and 12 Snipe were on the Marsh Pool and 18 Sanderlings on the beach.

25th

Sunny, cold with a strong NW wind. There were 12 Great Crested Grebes offshore, two Shelducks flew west and 25 Brent Geese were on the beach. An Osprey, that drifted north over the sea at 7.30 am, was the earliest ever to be recorded at the site, although a number of others had been recorded in the county. Waders included 25 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Two Swallows west were the first of the year and eight Meadow Pipits, also heading west, were also noted.

23rd

Sunny but a bit misty, light northerly wind. There was one Red-throated Diver, six Great Crested Grebes and four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, three Little Egrets and 61 Brent Geese on the beach and four Teal and a pair of Shovelers on the Marsh Pool.

21st

Sunny, with a cooling NE wind. There were two Red-throated Divers, four Great Crested Grebes and two Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, and 39 Brent Geese on the beach. Five Teal and three Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool. Waders included a high count of 80 Oystercatchers on the beach, three Ringed Plovers, 14 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper.

20th

A misty morning. There were six Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and three Teal and three Shovelers on the Marsh Pool. A Red Kite flew NW over the sea and also noted were a Mediterranean Gull west and the Cetti’s Warbler.

19th

Sunny, light NE wind. There were three Red-throated Divers, five Great Crested Grebes, including a pair displaying, and six Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Six Little Egrets were on the Hampton flats and 26 Brent Geese were on the beach. There were Teal and six Shovelers on the Marsh Pool. Waders included a high count of 80 Oystercatchers on the beach, there were also 14 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. The Cetti’s Warbler continues to be heard and there were two Chiffchaffs.

Two Peacock butterflies were seen.

18th

Sunny, warm, light SE wind. There were six Red-throated Divers, five Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers offshore but the highlight was a Red-necked Grebe, seen briefly but well, close inshore. Our first here since February 2024. It was later seen off the Tankerton slopes, where it remained until 25th. A Fulmar and two Gannets flew east, two Canada Geese flew east, returning west about an hour later, and two Little Egrets flew west. There were 18 Brent Geese on the beach and three Teal and four Shovelers on the Marsh Pool. Also noted were 50 Oystercatchers on the beach, the Cetti’s Warbler, four Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting.

One or more Brimstone butterflies patrolled the Obs.

17th

Two Red-throated Divers and two Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore. Two Teal and four Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool and the Purple Sandpiper was also seen.

16th

Sunny, light cloud, light SW wind. There were three Red-throated Divers and five Great Crested Grebes offshore and 44 Brent Geese on the beach. A pair of Teal and two pairs of Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool. Waders included four Ringed Plovers, 34 Sanderlings, eight Dunlin and the Purple Sandpiper. Our first Red Kite of the year was over the church at midday, and also noted were a Peregrine that flew west over the Obs, two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Song Thrush, the Cetti’s Warbler and two Chiffchaffs.

14th

Sunny intervals, cold, light SW wind. One Red-throated Diver, three Great Crested Grebes, and four Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and three Gannets flew east. Five Greylag Geese flew east inland (presumably the same birds that were seen at Herne Bay Downs), there were 80 Brent Geese on the beach and two Shelducks flew west. One pair of Teal and six Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool. Waders included three Ringed Plovers, nine Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Also noted was a Stock Dove, that paid a brief visit to the beach, and was new for the year, and a Skylark that flew west.

12th

Sunny periods with a strong SW wind. There was one Great Crested Grebe offshore, two Gannets flew east, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and one Little Egret and 44 Brent Geese on the beach. Waders included four Ringed Plovers, 24 Sanderlings and a Dunlin. Five Teal and six Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool. Also noted were five Mediterranean Gulls west, three Meadow Pipits west and the Cetti;s Warbler, which showed well in the bushes along the path by the Obs, and a single Reed Bunting.

11th

Sunny, freshening SW wind. One Red-throated Diver flew west, there was one Great Crested Grebe offshore, 108 Brent Geese on the beach and two Shelducks flew west. Five Teal and six Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool and waders included 30 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Also noted were two Mediterranean Gulls west and a pair of Reed Buntings near the Marsh Pool.

10th

There were two Red-throated Divers and seven Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Six Teal and four Shovelers were on the Marsh Pool and a Golden Plover on the beach was the pick of the waders. The Cetti’s Warbler was still present.

9th

Foggy, not clearing over the sea. There were three Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and a Little Egret and 12 Brent Geese on the beach. Five Teal, four Shovelers and two Moorhens were on the Marsh Pool. Waders included the Purple Sandpiper and a good count of 34 Snipe on the Marsh Pool. Also noted was a Buzzard circling low over the Obs in the mist and the Cetti’s Warbler.

7th

Cloudy, poor visibility, light NE wind. Two Great Crested Grebes were offshore and six Red-breasted Mergansers gathered with the tidal ponds. Two Shelducks flew east and there were four Teal and four Shovelers on the Marsh Pool and 30 visible Snipe. Other waders included a high count of 60 Oystercatchers on the beach, with 11 Sanderlings and 20 Curlews also on the beach. No Ringed Plovers or Dunlin were noted. A distinctive Herring Gull of the race argentatus (from Sandinavia and the Baltic) was on the beach.

5th

Sunny, mild, light southerly wind. There were five Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, eight Great Crested Grebes and four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Two drake Goldeneyes offshore lingered all morning (they were reported at Seasalter in the afternoon). They were seen to display although there were no females present! A Fulmar flew west and there were c140 Brent Geese on the beach. Teal and Shovelers were in the Marsh Pool along with 30 visible Snipe. Also noted were two vocal Ravens that came in off the beach heading SE, a Kingfisher (the first since January), along the beach and across to the brook, the Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff.

A Brimstone butterfly was flying around the Obs.

3rd

The Purple Sandpiper, a female Stonechat and three Long-tailed Tits were noted.

2nd

Sunny, moderate SW wind. There were two Red-throated Divers, five Great Crested Grebes and three Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Gannets have been notable for their absence this year so a line of 20 adults flying west was most welcome, many heading back east. There were 106 Brent Geese on the beach and waders included 20 Sanderlings, the Purple Sandpiper and a Dunlin. Four Shovelers, four Teal and two Moorhens were on the Marsh Pool together with good numbers of Snipe. An adult Mediterranean Gull flew west and two more were on the beach. Also noted was a soaring Buzzard, the Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff.