Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory : 24th June 2015

Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory : 24th June 2015

From Blean Woods we drove towards Winchesea stopping to do some tourist things at Whitstable (Oysters for lunch) and Herne Bay (Ice Cream on the prom), the latter of which did not seem to think that summer had started and was something of a ghost prom/pier. Of much more interest was our next port of call which was Sandwich Bay. Sandwich Bay and Pegwell are well-known reserves bu they were new to us. We weren’t sure where was best to go so we asked at a local toilets cum information office and we were directed to the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory and Field Centre which we found by following the signs to the golf courses and then on to Sandwich Bay Estate (Sandown Road then Guilford Road) to the toll both. This toll booth charges a lot of money; it is a private road to a private estate. As it happened it was unmanned when we were there but, apparently, if you say you are only visiting the Bird Observatory the charge is just a pound. At the observatory they are happy for you to park there and go on foot to discover the rest of the area thus avoiding the steep toll. We found the observatory a quarter of a mile on the left from the tollbooth at 51.268281, 1.372647 and even though they were nearly done for the day they could not have made us feel more welcome.

We turned into the observatory car park but the main building was closed. We mooched around a bit and found another shed where some people were working. They had apparently just finished the ringing for the day so the main volunteer (they are all volunteers except one warden they employ) had some time to show us around. We insisted that we did not want to keep them from their work if they were closed but he insisted on showing us around, even opening up their shop to show us their little meeting room, shop etc. He could not have been more helpful. He explained that usually the shop was staffed by volunteers but it was too late in the day for them to remain if it was quiet.

He also told us about the accommodation they have their that is open to anyone to book. Some of the rooms are a little primitive but they actually have a self-contained apartment that they rent for the ridiculous cost of £50 a night which looks very appealing for a birding weekend – especially since the local accommodation isn’t exactly cheap !

He told us a little about what they do and advised us on where to go given that we only had an hour or two to spare. They actually have their own hide a little further down the road that overlooks a scrape (to be found at 51.263149, 1.384526 . Here, among other birds, we found Goldfinch and Linnet, a Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe etc. It was not really the best time to be there and we didn’t see too much but it would definitely be worth another visit sometime.

Bird Sightings : Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Hide