Folkestone & Hythe birds, butterflies, moths and other natural history

Last updated: 3rd December.

3rd – A Chiffchaff, a Little Egret and 2 Ravens at the Aldergate Bridge (Dylan Wrathall).

A Mink at the Aldergate Bridge (Dylan Wrathall). A Silver Y and an Oak Rustic at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

2nd – A female Blackcap in a garden in Seabrook (Paul Howe) and at least 3 Firecrests at Radnor Park (Mike Fitch).

November

30th – Firecrests were seen in a garden in central Folkestone, in Folkestone Cemetery (2) and along the canal between Hythe and West Hythe (4), also 2 Chiffchaffs along the canal (Mike Fitch). A Green Sandpiper, 5 Shovelers and 5 Gadwall at Botolph’s Bridge (Ian Roberts).

29th – A Great White Egret at Lower Wall Road, opposite Daleacres and a Chiffchaff and 2 Green Sandpipers at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts). A Water Rail, a Chiffchaff and a Cetti’s Warbler at Copt Point (Paul Holt).

28th – A Shoveler and 3 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting (Ian Roberts). A Kingfisher flew east over the sea at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Red Admiral at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

27th – A 2CY Caspian Gull, 4 Velvet Scoter and 4 Dunlin flew west past Princes Parade (Martyn Wilson/Ian Roberts). A Black Redstart and 2 Firecrests at Samphire Hoe (Mark Kennett).

26th – A drake Shoveler at Nickolls Quarry and 6 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting (Ian Roberts). A Barn Owl at Samphire Hoe at dusk (Paul Holt). 2 Firecrests and 8 Goldcrests at Radnor Park (Steve Wood).

25th – A 1CY Caspian Gull and 3 Shags at Folkestone Harbour (Ian Roberts). A Sooty Shearwater, a Little Gull and 5 Velvet Scoter off Princes Parade (Martyn Wilson/Chris Gibbard).

A Rusty-dot Pearl at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

24th – An adult Yellow-legged Gull in Folkestone Harbour (Rich Bonser) and 15 Ringed Plovers at Folkestone Beach (Steve Wood). A Sandwich Tern flew west at Samphire Hoe (Mark Kennett).

23rd – 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Leach’s Petrels, a drake Goldeneye, a Sooty Shearwater, a Curlew, a Sandwich Tern, 2 Velvet Scoters, 5 Shelduck, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Golden Plovers, 18 Dunlin and 263 Brent Geese flew past Princes Parade, also a Red-necked Grebe and a Great Northern Diver on the sea there (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts / Chris Gillard). 3 Ringed Plovers at Folkestone Beach and 3 Redshank in Folkestone Harbour (Steve Wood).

A Red Admiral at Cheriton (Tony Poole).

22nd – 3 Caspian Gulls (1 adult and 2 1CYs) in Folkestone Harbour. A Grey Plover and 4 Sandwich Terns flew past Mill Point. A male Marsh Harrier, 2 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon and 15 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting (Ian Roberts). A Little Egret and 2 Sandwich Terns at Princes Parade (Martin Whybrow). A Great White Egret flew west at Samphire Hoe (Paul Holt).

21st – A Sandwich Tern at Princes Parade and 3 Wigeon and 15 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting. 38 Lapwing at the Willop Basin (Ian Roberts). A Firecrest in a garden in Folkestone (Mike Fitch).

20th – A Curlew, 2 Woodcock and 2 Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, where a Velvet Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Shelduck and 3 Wigeon flew past (Mark Kennett/Paul Holt/Ian Roberts). A Woodcock flew in off the sea at the Willop Outfall, also a Black Redstart and 2 Sandwich Terns there and 20 Shelduck off the Dymchurch Redoubt (Ian Roberts). A Velvet Scoter, 3 Sandwich Terns and 4 Brent Geese off Hythe (Glenn Tutton).

A Red Admiral at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

19th – 3 Velvet Scoter off Princes Parade, where 20 Sandwich Terns flew east (Ian Roberts). A Ring Ouzel at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith).

18th – 4 Velvet Scoter again off Princes Parade, also 14 Sandwich Terns there. 4 Shelduck off the Dymchurch Redoubt. 3 Wigeon and 11 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting. A Sandwich Tern off the Willop Outfall (Ian Roberts).

A Rusty-dot Pearl and a Red Admiral at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

17th – A very late Common Tern and 4 Velvet Scoter at Princes Parade (Rob Rackliffe/Virginia Fairchild). 14 Firecrests at Folkestone Warren (Mike Fitch). A Swallow at Hythe (Ralph Thorogood).

2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Radford’s Flame Shoulder and 2 Red Admirals at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

16th – A Great White Egret at Lower Wall Road (Brian Harper). 4 Velvet Scoters at Princes Parade (Chris Gillard). A Marsh Harrier at Abbott’s Court Farm, where a Golden Plover flew west. A Black Redstart and a Sandwich Tern at the Willop Outfall. 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Wigeon and 9 Gadwall at the Canal Cutting. A Chiffchaff at Nickolls Quarry (Ian Roberts). 2 Firecrests at Enbrook Park (Mike Fitch). A Little Egret at Radnor Park (Jonathan Howe).

A Golden Twin-spot and a Pearly Underwing at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

15th – A Hawfinch at Daleacres on Lower Wall Road, also a Barn Owl near the Donkey Street junction again. 2 Marsh Harriers flew south-west over Aldergate Lane. 44 Lapwings at the Willop Basin (Ian Roberts). A Sand Martin and 2 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 4 House Martins at Hythe (Glenn Tutton). 4 Firecrests at Radnor Park (Mike Fitch). A Little Egret flew east at Folkestone (Steve Wood).

5 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

14th – A Long-eared Owl at Aldergate Lane and a Great White Egret and a Water Rail in the Aldergate Bridge to West Hythe dam area (Dylan Wrathall). The Sand Martin, House Martin and 10 Swallows were feeding over Princes Parade this morning (Ian Roberts). 10 Shelduck and 120+ Cormorants flew east at Hythe (Glenn Tutton).

A Scarce Bordered Straw and an Olive-tree Pearl at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

13th – A first-winter Caspian Gull at Folkestone Harbour, and a Sand Martin, a House Martin and 10 Swallows feeding over the Hythe Imperial hotel this evening (Jamie Partridge). A Brambling, 2 Lapwings, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 80 Chaffinches and 100 Skylarks at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A Pochard, 3 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall and 14 Canada Geese on the canal cutting, from Botolph’s Bridge Road. A Gadwall, a Shelduck and 10 Wigeon flew past the Dymchurch Redoubt, also 25 Common Scoter offshore. A Jack Snipe at Westenhanger (Ian Roberts). 2 Swallows flew east and 7 Teal flew west at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Radford’s Flame Shoulder at Seabrook (Paul Howe). An Olive-tree Pearl, a Rusty-dot Pearl and 2 Dark Sword-grass at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

12th – 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Teal, 19 Wigeon, 22 Shelducks, 32 Dunlin, 55 Brent Geese, 59 Guillemot/Razorbills and 1,150 Gannets flew past the Lower Leas, also a Barn Owl at Lower Wall Road (Ian Roberts). A Rock Pipit, 2 Swallows, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, 8 Redpoll, 24 Wigeon, 38 Goldfinches, 215 Cormorants and 731 Gannets flew east at Seabrook, also 6 Great Crested Grebes offshore (Paul Howe). 2 Stonechats at Princes Parade, also 2 Sandwich Terns offshore and 3 Swallows flew west (Martin Whybrow). A Red-throated Diver and 4 Little Egrets flew past Folkestone Harbour, also a Great Crested Grebe there (Steve Wood).

2 Red Admirals at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

11th – 4 Velvet Scoters off Princes Parade and a Water Rail at Seabrook, 2 Black Redstarts at the Dymchurch Redoubt and a Corn Bunting and 11 Lapwings at the Willop Basin (Ian Roberts). A drake Pochard on the canal cutting from Botolph’s Bridge Road (Brian Harper). A Peregrine, a Little Egret and 5 Fieldfares at West Hythe dam, where 8 Canada Geese flew east and at least 370 Starlings flew west (Dylan Wrathall). 20 Siskins at Botolph’s Bridge (Steve Wood).

An Olive-tree Pearl and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook, also a Small White and a Common Darter there (Paul Howe). A Dark Sword-grass, 2 Olive-tree Pearls and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

10th – The Dartford Warbler again at Abbotscliffe, a Blackcap at Capel-le-Ferne Cafe and 2 Sandwich Terns off Hythe Ranges (Ian Roberts). 2 Shags, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Chiffchaffs at Samphire Hoe, where a Reed Bunting and 2 Redpolls flew over (Mark Kennett).

A White-speck, a Dark Sword-grass, a Rush Veneer and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

9th – The Dartford Warbler again at Abbotscliffe and 7 Firecrests in Folkestone Warren (Mike Fitch). 97 Goldfinches flew east at Seabrook, also a Mute Swan offshore (Paul Howe). A Sanderling in Folkestone Harbour and 2 House Martins and 7 Swallows at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Jack Snipe at Westenhanger (Brian Harper).

A Streak, a Radford’s Flame Shoulder and a Rusty-dot Pearl at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Dark Sword-grass, a Rush Veneer, a Delicate and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

8th – A Red Kite, 2 Wigeon and 4 Gadwall at Botolph’s Bridge. A Goosander at Cock Ash Lake. A Firecrest and 4 Chiffchaffs (including one of the Siberian form) at Copt Point, where 9 Redpolls flew east (Ian Roberts). 2 House Martins, 4 Swallows and 83 Goldfinches flew east at Seabrook, whilst 92 Starlings arrived in off the sea (Paul Howe).

A Pearly Underwing, a Gem, a Delicate, a Rush Veneer and 4 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). An Olive-tree Pearl and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe).

7th – 2 Dartford Warblers and 2 Black Redstarts at Hythe Ranges, also a Sandwich Tern offshore (Ian Roberts). A Shoveler at Botolph’s Bridge and 2 House Martins and 4 Sand Martins at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 28 Chaffinches flew east at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Wigeon and a Teal on the pond at Samphire Hoe (Mark Kennett).

A Radford’s Flame Shoulder, a Delicate, a Rusty-dot Pearl, 2 Olive-tree Pearls and an unseasonable Dingy Footman at Seabrook, where December Moth and the Brick were new for the year (Paul Howe). A Gem, a Dark Sword-grass, an Olive-tree Pearl, 2 Scarce Bordered Straws and 4 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

6th – A Green Sandpiper again at Nickolls Quarry, a Brambling at Abbotscliffe, 2 Black Redstarts and 18 Redwings at Samphire Hoe, and 3 Swallows flew over Hythe (Ian Roberts).

A Dark Sword-grass, an Olive-tree Pearl, a Delicate, 4 Rusty-dot Pearls, an unseasonable Buff Ermine and the first Winter Moth of the season at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Golden Twin-spot, a Gem, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Delicate and 10 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

5th – 9 Brent Geese, 14 Lapwings and 49 Pink-footed Geese at the Willop Basin, 3 Velvet Scoter and 34 Velvet Scoter off the Willop Outfall, 340 Gannets off the Dymchurch Redoubt, a House Martin and 8 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry, a Brambling, a Siskin, a Redpoll and 180 Goldfinches flew over Abbotscliffe and a Black Redstart and a Wigeon at Samphire Hoe (Ian Roberts). An adult Caspian Gull again at Hythe Ranges, a Black Redstart and a Green Sandpiper at Nickolls Quarry, a Black Redstart at Battery Point and 2 Sandwich Terns at the Willop Outfall (Brian Harper) A Dartford Warbler again at Abbotscliffe, also 15 Yellowhammers, 100 Chaffinches and 130 Skylarks in the arable fields (Mark Kennett). 6 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler and 16 Brent Geese flew east past Hythe (Glenn Tutton). A Kingfisher, 3 Turnstone and 7 Redshank in Folkestone Harbour (Steve Wood).

A Dark Sword-grass, a Scarce Bordered Straw and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Dark Sword-grass, an Olive-tree Pearl and 10 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

4th – 2 adult Caspian Gulls and a Shelduck at Hythe Ranges, 3 Velvet Scoter at the Dymchurch Redoubt, a Barn Owl at Lower Wall Road and a Tufted Duck at Nickolls Quarry (Brian Harper). 2 Dartford Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, a Redpoll, 2 House Martins and 4 Swallows at Abbotscliffe (Steve Wood/Mark Kennett). A Wheatear at Samphire Hoe (Barry Woolhouse). A Water Rail, a Chiffchaff and 7 Fieldfare at the Aldergate Bridge, where a Little Egret, 2 Canada Geese and 4 Wigeon flew over (Dylan Wrathall). A Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 11 Brent Geese and 37 Siskins flew past the Lower Leas, also 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Firecrests and 10 Goldcrests there (Ian Roberts). 2 Firecrests again in a garden in central Folkestone (Mike Fitch).

2 Olive-tree Pearls at Cheriton (Brian Harper). A Scarce Bordered Straw, an Olive-tree Pearl and 5 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). An Olive-tree Pearl, 2 Delicates and 9 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

3rd – A Dartford Warbler and a Sandwich Tern at Hythe Ranges. 2 Ring Ouzels at Samphire Hoe, where a Great Skua, 4 Shags, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 11 Teal, 15 Dunlin, 26 Shelduck, 34 Common Scoter, 61 Wigeon, 125 Gannets and 127 Brent Geese flew past (Ian Roberts). A Firecrest and 5 Bullfinches at Abbotscliffe, where a Lapwing, a Reed Bunting, 75 Fieldfares, 410 Redwings and 625 Starlings flew over (Mark Kennett). A Sandwich Tern off Princes Parade, 4 Swallows at Nickolls Quarry and 12 Wigeon and 20 Brent Geese off Sandgate (Brian Harper). A Little Egret, a Redshank and a Rock Pipit in Folkestone Harbour and a Little Egret in Cheriton (Tony Poole). A Brambling east flew over Seabrook (Paul Howe).

A Pearly Underwing at Cheriton (Brian Harper). An Olive-tree Pearl, a Delicate, 2 Dark Sword-grass and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Scarce Bordered Straw, a Delicate, 2 Olive-tree Pearls and 4 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Samphire Hoe (Ian Roberts).

2nd – A Chiffchaff and 2 Firecrests in a garden in central Folkestone (Mike Fitch). c.700 Jackdaws at Lympne Park Wood (Phil Sharp).

The Sprawler and Diurnea lipsiella (November Tubic) at Thorn Wood were new for the year (Brian Harper). An Oak Rustic at Sandgate (Chris Gillard). A Radford’s Flame Shoulder, an Oak Rustic, a Delicate, 2 Dark Sword-grass and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Scarce Bordered Straw and 5 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

1st – A Great White Egret flew east over Hythe Roughs (Brian Harper). At least one Dartford Warbler and a Ring Ouzel at Abbotscliffe, where 2 Fieldfares, 2 Redpolls, 7 Siskins and 315 Goldfinches flew over (Steve Wood/Ian Roberts), also 8 Yellowhammers, 50 Meadow Pipits and 130 Skylarks in the arable there (Mark Kennett). A Firecrest at Folkestone Leas (Adam Marek) and 2 in a garden in central Folkestone (Mike Fitch).

A Dark Sword-grass, 2 Olive-tree Pearls and 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). 2 Scarce Bordered Straws, 2 Olive-tree Pearls and 8 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).

January to October 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.

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