Last updated: 14th August.

14th – A White Stork flew east past Hythe (Nick Austin), with it or another reported over M20 junction 11 earlier (Vicki Fagg).

The third area record of Spurge Hawk-moth, a Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer), a Dark Sword-grass, 2 Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) and 9 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A White-line Snout, a Vestal, a Cydia amplana, a Dark Sword-grass and 12 Small Mottled Willows at Folks’ Wood, where additions to the year list included Mompha propinquella (White-headed Mompha), and a Dewick’s Plusia, a Bordered Straw, a Delicate, a Cydia amplana, 2 Palpita vitrealis and 14 Small Mottled Willows at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

13th – A Redshank flew over Hythe (Ian Roberts).

A Dewick’s Plusia, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Delicate, a Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer), 2 Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) and 14 Small Mottled Willows at Hythe, where Clavigesta purdeyi (Pine Leaf-mining Moth) was new for the year (Ian Roberts). A Bordered Straw, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Delicate, a Cydia amplana, 4 Palpita vitrealis and 16 Small Mottled Willows at Seabrook, where Straw Underwing and Ypsolopha sequella (Pied Rabbit Moth) were new for the year (Paul Howe).

12th – 3 Red Kites flew south over Postling (Steve Wood).

A Delicate, a Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 8 Small Mottled Willows at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Small Mottled Willow at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

11th – A Wheatear at Church Hougham (Mark Kennett).

A Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), 2 Striped Hawk-moth, 2 Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 4 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 10 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook (Paul Howe). 2 Palpita vitrealis and 5 Small Mottled Willow at Hythe, where the earliest area record of Frosted Orange was new for the year (Ian Roberts). 15 Clouded Yellows at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith).

10th – An Oystercatcher flew west past Folkestone, also 50+ Sandwich Terns there (Steve Wood). A Swift and a Grey Heron flew west at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Striped Hawk-moth, a Porter’s Rustic, a Large Thorn, a Bordered Straw, a Delicate, 2 Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), 5 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 9 Small Mottled Willows at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Striped Hawk-moth, a Latticed Heath, 2 Delicate, 3 Cydia amplana, 7 Palpita vitrealis and 17 Small Mottled Willow at Hythe (Ian Roberts). 2 Clouded Yellows at Cheriton Hill (Chris Gillard).

9th – A Yellow Wagtail, a Willow Warbler and 4 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

A Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), 2 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 11 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook where Tawny-barred Angle, Lesser-spotted Pinion, Southern Wainscot and Caloptilia azaleella (Azalea Leaf Miner) were new for the year (Paul Howe). A Scarce Bordered Straw, 3 Small Mottled Willow and 4 Palpita vitrealis at Hythe, where Tawny Speckled Pug was new for the year (Ian Roberts).

8th – A Honey Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier arrived in off the sea at Samphire Hoe (Chris Philpott). 28 Sandwich Terns feeding off Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 4 Small Mottled Willows at Seabrook, where Orange Swift was new for the year (Paul Howe). There have been numerous sightings of Hummingbird Hawk-moth recently.

7th – A Wood Warbler at Horton Priory and a Kingfisher at Cock Ash Lake (Derek Smith).

A Porter’s Rustic, a Large Thorn, a Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 7 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 11 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook (Paul Howe). 5 Small Mottled Willow at Folkestone (Chris Gillard/Jake Duff).

6th – A Reed Warbler, a Willow Warbler and 26 Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe, where 136 Swifts flew west (Mark Kennett).

A Chalk Hill Blue and 4 Clouded Yellows at the foot of Folkestone Downs (Tony Poole). 2 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

5th – A Striped Hawk-moth, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer), 2 Latticed Heath and 2 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook, where Orthotelia sparganella (Reed Minor) was new for the year (Paul Howe).

4th – A Green Sandpiper flew over Hythe (Ian Roberts).

The third area record of Purple Marbled at Hythe, also a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 2 Oak Processionary, 2 Small Mottled Willow, 2 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) and 3 Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) there, whilst Feathered Ranunculus was new for the year (Ian Roberts). A Bordered Straw, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 3 Cydia amplana and 4 Small Mottled Willow at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

3rd – A Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 6 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe (Pete Coleman).

A Vestal, a Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) ,3 Small Mottled Willow and 3 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Bordered Straw, 2 Small Mottled Willow and 3 Palpita vitrealis at Hythe, where Evergestis extimalis (Marbled Yellow Pearl) was new for the year (Ian Roberts). A Hummingbird Hawk-moth in a garden in Folkestone (John Tomlinson). 2 Hummingbird Hawk-moths in a garden in Folkestone (Jess Garrett). A Lace Border at Castle Hill (Brian Harper).

2nd – A Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 30 Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). An Oystercatcher flew east at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Striped Hawk-moth, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Bordered Straw, a Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) and 4 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) at Seabrook, where the Fern was new for the year (Paul Howe). Hummingbird Hawk-moths also at Folkestone (John Tomlinson, Jess Garrett (2)) and Hythe (Ian Roberts).

1st – A Striped Hawk-moth, 2 Oak Processionary, 5 Small Mottled Willows and 7 Cydia amplana (Rusty Acorn Piercer) at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

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January to July 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.