Last updated: 26th April.
26th – A Cuckoo, a Common Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 11 Whimbrels flew east at Samphire Hoe (Ian Roberts). A Little Egret and 8 Swallows at Abbotscliffe (Elliot Ranford).
Iron Prominent at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Shuttle-shaped Dart at Hythe (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.
25th – 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Whimbrel, 14 Sandwich Terns, 49 Common Scoter and 63 Brent Geese flew east past Mill Point. A Bar-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).
Chocolate-tip at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Anthophila fabriciana (Common Nettle-tap) at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.
24th – 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 6 Whimbrel flew north over Hythe (Glenn Tutton). A Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts).
23rd – A Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Swift at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). c.50 House Martins at Abbotscliffe (Steve Wood).
22nd – A Wheatear and a Willow Warbler at Abbotscliffe, where a Yellow Wagtail, 2 House Martins and 31 Swallows arrived in off the sea, and 2 Greylag Geese flew east (Mark Kennett). A Bar-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).
21st – A Swift, a House Martin, a Corn Bunting and 2 Swallows at Abbotscliffe (Steve Wood). A Bar-tailed Godwit at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). A Willow Warbler, a Siskin and 2 Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, where a Greylag Goose, 6 Sandwich Terns and 10 Common Scoter flew east (Mark Kennett). 3 Greylag Geese arrived in off the sea at Hythe and 6 Oystercatchers flew east (Glenn Tutton).
20th – A Black Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe, where 2 House Martins arrived in off the sea and 2 Siskins flew east (Ian Roberts). A Ring Ouzel reported at Crete Road East. 2 Greylag Geese flew east at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
Additions to the moth year list included Common Pug at Seabrook (Paul Howe), the Nutmeg at Hythe and Dew Moth (larvae: video) at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts).
17th – A Yellow Wagtail arrived in off the sea at Abbotscliffe, also a Wheatear, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Swallows and 4 Willow Warblers there, a Redpoll flew over and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers flew east (Mark Kennett). A Red Kite at Crete Road West (Chris Gillard).
Lesser Swallow Prominent at Seabrook was new for the year (Paul Howe).
16th – A Brambling in a garden in Seabrook (Louise Gower). A Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Black Redstart and 4 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith). 5 Mediterranean Gulls flew west at Hythe (Glenn Tutton). A Lesser Whitethroat at Copt Point (Dale Gibson).
15th – 2 Sandwich Terns at Hythe (Glenn Tutton)
Pebble Prominent at Cheriton was new for the year (Brian Harper).
14th – A Short-eared Owl, a Willow Warbler, 3 Siskins and 4 Wheatears at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A Common Sandpiper, a Wheatear, a Black Redstart, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Common Terns and 3 Swallows at Hythe Ranges (Sean McMinn). 2 Wheatears at Princes Parade (Brian Harper). 2 Sandwich Terns and 4 Oystercatchers flew east past Hythe (Glenn Tutton).
The earliest records of Channel Islands Pug and Tachystola acroxantha (Ruddy Streak) at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Common Carpet at Hythe (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.
13th – A Lesser Whitethroat at Abbotscliffe, where a Shelduck flew east. 2 Wheatears at Samphire Hoe, where 15 Brent Geese flew east (Mark Kennett). A Red Kite flew north over Folkestone (Neil Frampton).
Adela reaumurella (Green Long-horn) at Pedlinge (Brian Harper), Flame Shoulder at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Bright-line Brown-eye at Hythe (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.
12th – A Sedge Warbler at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 2 Willow Warblers at Capel-le-Ferne (Mark Kennett). A Willow Warbler and 2 Red Kites at Port Lympne (Pete Coleman).
A Blossom Underwing and the first 2 Diamond-back Moths of the year at West Hythe, where additions to the year list included the earliest records of Red Twin-spot Carpet and Pale Prominent. A Rusty-dot Pearl and 3 Silver Ys at Cheriton. 3 Silver Ys at Hythe (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts).
11th – A Willow Warbler at Botolph’s Bridge and 2 Willow Warblers at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). A Barn Owl at West Hythe (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts). A Wheatear at Copt Point (Alistair Mackay).
10th – A Reed Warbler at Botolph’s Bridge Road and a Green Sandpiper at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). 2 Sandwich Terns off Hythe (Glenn Tutton). A female Marsh Harrier at Donkey Street (Steve Wood).
The earliest ever records of Pale Tussock at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Common Wave at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
9th – Silver Y at Cheriton was new for the year (Brian Harper).
8th – 4 Wheatears at Abbotscliffe (Pete Coleman) and a Wheatear at Princes Parade (Tony Poole). A Swallow at Lympne (Phil Sharp). A House Martin at Pent Downs, Postling (Sarah Montgomery).
The first Large White and Holly Blue of the year at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
7th – A Willow Warbler in a garden in Cheriton (Brian Harper). A Swallow at Crete Road East (Tony Poole).
The first Orange-tip of the year at Cheriton (Tony Poole). Caloptiia rufipennella (Small Red Slender) and White-spotted Pug at Cheriton (Brian Harper) and Esperia sulphurella (Sulphur Tubic) at Seabrook (Paul Howe) were new for the year.
6th – A Marsh Harrier and a Whitethroat at Botolph’s Bridge, and a Willow Warbler and a Green Sandpiper at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper).
2 Dotted Chestnut and 11 Frosted Green at Folks Wood, where additions to the year list included Peach Blossom and Orange Footman (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts).
2nd – A Little Ringed Plover and 3 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper).
1st – 2+ Little Ringed Plovers, 2+ Green Sandpipers and 5 Snipe at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).
January to March 2024 sightings have been archived – click on the links for the reviews of bird sightings and lepidoptera sightings in 2024 to date.
For the reviews of sightings in 2023 and earlier years visit the “Annual Reports” section.
This website is maintained by Ian Roberts. For enquiries or to report sightings please contact me at ian_rober@yahoo.co.uk.