Last updated: 17th April

17th – The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year at Lympne Old Airfield (Phil Sharp). A Yellow Wagtail arrived in off the sea at Samphire Hoe, also a Black Redstart there (Mark Kennett). A drake Mandarin Duck on the canal at West Hythe (Steve Wood). 3 Cetti’s Warblers at Holy Well (Brad Foster).

Pearly Underwing, Puss Moth, Pale Prominent and Esperia sulphurella (Sulphur Bark Moth) at Seabrook were new for the year (Paul Howe), as was Common Heath at Danton Lane (Brian Harper).

16th – A White Stork flew over Park Farm allotments in Folkestone (John Tomlinson). A Chough at Folkestone Beach (Steve Wood).

15th – 3 Sand Martins, 6 House Martins and 17 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry and a Chough flew over the Lower Leas (Ian Roberts).

Pale Tussock (ab. concolor) and Agonopterix scopariella (Broom Buff) at Seabrook were new for the year (Paul Howe).

14th – A Shag and 2 Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, where a Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Greylag Geese, 12 Oystercatchers and 39 Sandwich Terns flew east (Phil Smith/Ian Roberts). A Nightingale near Stone Farm (Brian Harper).

2 Clouded Yellows at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith).

13th – 4 House Martins and c.50 Swallows at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith) A Willow Warbler and 6 Swallows at Abbotscliffe, and a Black Redstart at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

12th – A Green Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martins, 3 House Martins, 3 Little Egrets and 6 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). 5 Swallows at Beachborough Lakes (Jenny-Louise Read).

The first Painted Lady of the year at Cheriton (Brian Harper).

11th – A Great Skua, a Whimbrel, 2 Shovelers, 3 Arctic Skuas, 115 Common Scoters, 385 Gannets and 570 Sandwich Terns flew east past Mill Point, a Manx Shearwater flew west and 2 Chough flew over (Brian Harper/Ian Roberts). A Garden Warbler at Dibgate (Louise Gower). A Wheatear, a Little Egret and 4 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

Silver Y at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (Common Spring Jewel) at Spring Lane Cemetery (Brian Harper/Ian Roberts) were new for the year.

10th – A Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart, 2 Swallows and 5 Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A Red Kite flew over Pedlinge and 2 flew over Hythe Roughs (Brian Harper). A Black Redstart in central Folkestone and 3 at Folkestone Beach (Steve Wood). 131 Sandwich Terns flew east past Samphire Hoe (Ian Roberts).

Pale Mottled Willow at Seabrook was new for the year, also another Lead-coloured Drab and 3 Diamond-back Moths there (Paul Howe). Agonopterix rotundella (Ashen Buff) at Samphire Hoe was also new (Ian Roberts). The first Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak of the year at Folkestone Downs (Tony Poole).

9th – A Ring Ouzel at Abbotscliffe (Pete Coleman). A Red Kite flew west over Seabrook (Paul Howe/Martin Whybrow). A White Wagtail, a Whitethroat, a Swallow and 2 Wheatears at Church Hougham (Mark Kennett). A Black Redstart at Folkestone Beach, where 7 Sandwich Terns flew east (Steve Wood). A Willow Warbler singing along the canal at Seabrook (Raymond Macavoy).

The first Wall butterflies were at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts), whilst additions to the moth year list included Chocolate-tip at Seabrook (Paul Howe), the Mullein at Hythe, Pyrausta despicata (Straw-barred Pearl) at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts) and Folkestone Downs (Tony Poole), and Chocolate-tip, Red Twin-spot Carpet and Least Black Arches at Cheriton (Brian Harper)..

8th – A White Stork flew over Folkestone (Steve Friedrich). 5 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe, where 25 Common Scoters and 132 Sandwich Terns flew east, and a Swallow, 2 Whitethroats and 3 Wheatears at Abbotscliffe (Pete Coleman/Mark Kennett). A Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warblers and 3 Little Egrets at Nickolls Quarry, where a Yellow Wagtail flew north (Ian Roberts). A Black Redstart at Folkestone Beach, where 6 Swallows arrived in off the sea and 20+ Swallows flew over Folkestone (Steve Wood). A Whitethroat at Princes Parade (Martin Whybrow). A Willow Warbler at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Lead-coloured Drab at Seabrook, where additions to the year list included Brown Silver-line and White-spotted Pug A Barred Tooth-striped at Cheriton, where Brimstone Moth and Pebble Prominent were new for the year (Brian Harper). A Lead-coloured Drab at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

7th – A White Stork flew over Cheriton and Folkestone (Ali Dakin/Steve Friedrich). A Dartford Warbler at Abbotscliffe (Steve Wood). A Dartford Warbler, a Wheatear and 3 Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, where a Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatchers and 3 Shelduck flew east (Mark Kennett/Phil Smith). A Reed Warbler along the canal by Princes Parade, a Little Egret at Nickolls Quarry and 67 Sandwich Terns flew east past Mill Point (Ian Roberts).

The first Clouded Yellow and Small Copper at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith). The first Orange-tip and at least 2 Brimstones at Folkestone Downs and a Brimstone at Cheriton (Brian Harper/Tony Poole). The first Holly Blue at Lympne Church (Phil Sharp) and the first Green-veined White at Park Farm allotments, Folkestone (John Tomlinson). Additions to the moth year list comprised Pyrausta purpuralis (Common Purple-and-gold) at Folkestone Downs (Tony Poole) and Bright-line Brown-eye at Hythe (Ian Roberts), whilst the third Blossom Underwing of the year at Seabrook was also of note (Paul Howe).

6th – 2 Ring-necked Parakeets at Tram Road, Folkestone (Steve Wood). 9 Wheatears at Hythe Ranges (Sean McMinn). A Willow Warbler, a Black Redstart, a Jay, 2 Siskins and 8 Wheatears at Samphire Hoe, where a Brent Goose flew east (Mark Kennett/Phil Smith). A Willow Warbler at Abbotscliffe, a Willow Warbler at Capel-le-Ferne and a Wheatear, a Swallow and 3 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

5th – A Swallow and 4 Sand Martins at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

4th – A Common Sandpiper, a Willow Warbler and 3 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts) and 4 Sand Martins and 7 Swallows at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith).

3rd – 2 Choughs at St. Eanswythe’s Church in Folkestone (Steve Wood).

2nd – A Black Redstart, 2 Shoveler and 2 Red Kites at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

Additions to the moth year list included Caloptilia hemidactylella (Scarce Maple Stilt) at Cheriton (Brian Harper) and Musotima nitidalis (Marbled Fern), Oak-tree Pug, Early Tooth-striped and Lunar Marbled Brown at Folks’ Wood (Ian Roberts).

1st – A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Shorncliffe BTA (Paul Howe/Joanna Mettler). 11 Siskins and 53 Chaffinches flew east at Abbotscliffe and a Willow Warbler at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). A Redwing, a Little Grebe and 7 Tufted Ducks at Horton Priory (Derek Smith).

Small Phoenix and Nut-tree Tussock at Seabrook (Paul Howe), Agonopterix propinquella (Black-spot Buff) at Cheriton (Brian Harper) and larva of Dew Moth at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.

March

31st – 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Green Sandpipers and 3 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

30th – A Willow Warbler and 6 Swallows at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith). 2 Willow Warblers at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

29th – A Willow Warbler, a Black Redstart, 2 Swallows and 3 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry and a Marsh Harrier flew over Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Peregrine flew over Folkestone (John Tomlinson). A Collared Dove at Samphire Hoe (Martin Collins).

Yellow-barred Brindle at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Brown-tail larvae at Bluehouse Lane (Brian Harper) were new for the year. The first Speckled Wood at Shorncliffe BTA (Joanna Mettler).

28th – A pair of Mandarin Ducks at Hythe Canal (Mike Fitch). 2 Black Redstarts at Folkestone (Steve Wood).

27th – A Swallow, a Merlin and a Marsh Harrier arrived in off the sea at Mill Point, where a Red-breasted Merganser flew west. 3 Green Sandpipers and 4 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

26th – A Wheatear at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

Another Frosted Green at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

25th – A Wheatear at the Hythe Imperial golf course (Brian Harper/Chris Gillard). A Wheatear, a Red Kite, a Little Egret, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Redwings and 5 Snipe at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A White Wagtail, a Green Sandpiper and 21 Sand Martins at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). A White Wagtail at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

24th – A Merlin at Lympne Church (Phil Sharp). The first 2 Sandwich Terns of the year flew west at Princes Parade (Brian Harper/Ian Roberts). A Black Redstart at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

Additions to the moth year list included the earliest ever records of Frosted Green at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Scorched Carpet at Spring Lane Cemetery (Brian Harper/Ian Roberts).

23rd – A Dartford Warbler, 2 Red Kites and 4 Goldcrests at Samphire Hoe (Mark Kennett). 3 Red Kites flew north-east over Seabrook (Paul Howe). 3 Red Kites at Abbotscliffe (Pete Coleman). A Red Kite and a Peregrine at Lympne Church (Phil Sharp). A Wheatear at the Hythe Imperial golf course (Ian Roberts). A Firecrest in Cheriton (Steve Wood).

Additions to the moth year list included Lead-coloured Drab and Muslin Moth at Seabrook (Paul Howe) and Dahlica inconspicuella (Lesser Lichen Case-bearer) at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts).

22nd – A Red Kite at Samphire Hoe (Jasmine). A Green Sandpiper and 2 White Wagtails at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

Powdered Quaker at Seabrook was new for the year (Paul Howe).

21st – A Cattle Egret flew east at the Willop Basin and a Red Kite flew east at Donkey Street (Brian Harper). A Goshawk, 15 Siskins and 44 Chaffinches flew east at Pent Downs (Ian Roberts). A Black Redstart at Lympne (Phil Sharp).

Another Blossom Underwing at Seabrook, where Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (Little Buff-tip) was new for the year (Paul Howe).

20th – A Cattle Egret flew east past Seabrook (Paul Howe). 142 Siskins flew east at Samphire Hoe, also 2 Chiffchaffs there (Pete Coleman). A Red Kite flew east over Cheriton (Brian Harper) and then over Park Farm (Joanna Mettler). A Black Redstart near Lympne Castle (Phil Sharp). A male Reed Bunting along the canal at Seabrook (Martin Whybrow).

Brindled Beauty at Seabrook was new for the year (Paul Howe).

19th – Blossom Underwing and Acleris cristana (Tufted Tortrix) at Seabrook were new for the year (Paul Howe).

18th – An Avocet, 2 Greylag Geese and 65 Brent Geese flew east past Samphire Hoe, also a Merlin there, and 2 Red Kites flew west over Hythe (Ian Roberts/Pete Coleman). 4 Snipe at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A Black Redstart at Folkestone Beach (Steve Wood).

Additions to the moth year list included the Streamer and Barred Tooth-striped at Folkestone Warren (Ian Roberts) and Shoulder Stripe, Early Thorn and Pine Beauty at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

17th – A Black-throated Diver and 280 Brent Geese flew east past Mill Point (Ian Roberts).

15th – A Wheatear at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman). 3 Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts).

14th – A Siskin, a Greenfinch, 6 Redwings, 17 Linnets, 55 Starlings and 257 Chaffinches flew over Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts). 2 Black Redstarts at Folkestone Beach (Steve Wood). An Oystercatcher in Folkestone Harbour (Scott).

3 Harbour Porpoise off Folkestone Harbour Arm (Steve Wood).

13th – A Jack Snipe, 5 Snipe and 5 Yellowhammers at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett).

11th – 2 Firecrests at Pond Hill Road (Brian Harper).

10th – 1,350 Brent Geese flew east past Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman). A Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 3 Shoveler at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 2 Shoveler at the Willop Basin and 10 Tree Sparrows at Haguelands Farm (Ian Roberts).

Mottled Grey at Samphire Hoe (Paul Holt) and Amblyptilia acanthadactyla (Beautiful Plume) at Hythe (Ian Roberts) were new for the year.

8th – A Lapwing, a Greylag Goose, 2 Green Sandpipers and 10 Canada Geese at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). A Blackcap and a Little Egret at Samphire Hoe, where 2 Curlew flew east (Mark Kennett).

Grey Shoulder-knot at Seabrook was new for the year (Paul Howe).

7th – A Redpoll and 2 Egyptian Geese at Cock Ash Lake and 2 Mandarin Ducks and 21 Siskins at Horton Priory (Derek Smith). A Chiffchaff at Samphire Hoe (Paul Holt).

6th – Brindled Pug, Waved Umber and Tawny Pinion at Seabrook were new for the year (Paul Howe).

5th – Red Chestnut at Seabrook was new for the year (Paul Howe).

4th – A Red Kite flew east over Seabrook (Paul Howe), then Pond Hill Road (Joanna Mettler) and another flew over Lympne Hill (Phil Sharp). A Shoveler at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith). An Oystercatcher, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Shelduck and 13 Great Crested Grebes flew past Samphire Hoe also a Black Redstart there (Mark Kennett). A pair of Blackcaps in a garden in central Folkestone (John Tomlinson). 2 Redshank at Folkestone Harbour (Steve Wood).

Small White at Seabrook (Paul Howe), Red Admiral at Lympne Churchyard (Phil Sharp) and Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Cheriton (Ralph Thorogood) were new for the year.

3rd – A Red Kite, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Greenfinches, 12 Siskins and 670 Chaffinches flew over Abbotscliffe, also a Reed Bunting and a Snipe there (Mark Kennett/Paul Holt). A Red Kite flew over Hythe (Chris Gillard). A Blackcap at the Lower Leas (Adam Marek). A Black Redstart at Marine Parade, Folkestone (Steve Wood). A Kingfisher and a Peregrine at Horton Priory (Derek Smith).

Pale Pinion at Saltwood (Colin Dunster) and Water Carpet and Angle Shades (larva) at Seabrook (Paul Howe) were new for the year.

2nd – A Blackcap at Samphire Hoe, where 118 Brent Geese flew east (Mark Kennett). A Pochard at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith).

January to February 2026 sightings have been archived – click on the links for the reviews of bird and lepidoptera sightings in 2026 to date.

For the reviews of sightings in 2025 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.