James Armstrong
Flowerpot Man
Geraldine and I are members of The Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust. (Registered Charity) President Bill Oddie.
We were made very welcome when we first visited as non-members and were given a guided tour of the place including the traps and ringing huts plus their library and natural history specimen collection including their pet red corn snake, Monty, who is very friendly. The centre is brand new (an example of lottery money going to a very worthy cause) and has great facilities for research, bird watching, tea-making and relaxation. They are always looking for volunteers for ringing especially this time of the year when they are very busy. Vehicle Access to the Private Sandwich Bay Estate is free if you are a SBBO member and are only going to the Observatory. You can park by the toll gate and walk a couple of hundred yards if you are a non-member and don't want to pay the toll (£5)
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust is supported by nearly 450 members. All members receive an Annual Report and regular newsletter updating them on the work of the Trust. There are regular meetings for members, such as our popular Thursday Club, Tuesday night birdwatching classes and the regular Sunday Birding walks (open to non-members), and they can visit the members' Backsand Scrape plus the new scrape near the centre which has an observation tower.
Members also benefit from reduced accommodation rates at the Field Study Centre, and receive discount on selected items from our shop. If you would like to join contact the secretary or go to the members section on the website www.sbbo.co.uk and download a membership application. Fees per annum are:-
Individual £15, Joint/family £20, Senior Citizen/unwaged £10, Junior £5
Phone: Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Phone/Fax: 01304 617341
Email:
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory
[email protected]
Site Contributions [email protected]
Information [email protected]
Post Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory SBBOT, Guilford Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9PF
Secretary, Mrs Gaynor Cross SBBOT, Guilford Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9PF.
See:- www.sbbo.co.uk
The following info is from the web site, the latest sightings sections of which is always well-updated and fascinating to read...
ASPECTS OF SANDWICH BAY
AND THE OBSERVATORY
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory is situated on the Kent Coast between the estuary of the River Stour and the town of Deal to the south; it lies south-east of the historic town and Cinque Port of Sandwich and only 40 km from the continental coastline.
SBBOT operates within a private estate, on adjacent farmland, nature reserve and golf course by courtesy of the landowners. The Observatory is a recognised charitable trust and is managed by a Council elected by an Annual General Meeting. The work of the Observatory relies upon the voluntary assistance of its members and the contributions made available by a large number of visiting birdwatchers, many of whom take advantage of the hostel accommodation. The Council considers all applications made to it for membership of the Trust, welcoming any who would like to contribute to its work in a practical or supporting way. The Observatory produces several newsletters each year and summarises its work in a comprehensive Annual Report which is sent to all full members.
The records of SBBOT may also be seen by arrangement with the Secretary. Bird Ringing is carried out by accredited personnel under licence according to the rules of the British Trust for Ornithology, from whom all rings and nets are purchased. The BTO notifies the finder and the ringer, of all details of ringed birds found and reported to them. Training facilities may be offered to those wishing to become ringers
The main work of the Observatory is to watch, record and ring, the birds of Sandwich Bay, with the object of relating local distribution and bird movements to a national perspective, whilst monitoring the effects of inevitable changes in the environment. It can also provide valuable data in support of measures for the conservation of threatened areas.It aims also to encourage a better appreciation of our heritage and to provide instruction and example for its future.
Migrant birds in spring and autumn form the majority of an average total of 10,000 birds ringed each year, this being especially true of the autumn when in right conditions, birds seem to be in every bush. In late autumn, excitement is centred on the large number of wintering birds watched coming in from the continent and the anticipation of late rarities from as far afield as Siberia. Winter brings the estuary into focus with its populations of wading birds, its ducks and seabirds, together with flocks of Snow Bunting and Twite.
Spring is the time for the departure of winter species, the return of summer migrants and the beginning of yet another breeding season.
SBBO Reserves:-
Monks' Wall Nature Reserve
Monks' Wall Nature Reserve a 5 minute walk across the bridge from the quay in Sandwich and is ideal for seeing wild duck and other wildlife in a wetland habitat.
This reserve recreates, from arable fields, traditional wet grazing meadows once common to the flood plain of the River Stour.
The habitat attracts large numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders from the arctic that find sanctuary in the reserve, while breeding waterfowl and other wetland species occur in the summer. Historically the land was reclaimed from the river and sea by the monks of Sandwich and the northern boundary is still the old Monks' wall of the 13th Century,. In the 1953 floods the sea covered the whole area round Sandwich and after these fields were drained a new river bank was created and the land ploughed for arable farming with heavy use of fertiliser.
Despite this disaster the ditches still have a number of interesting plants with great potential for improvement. Sandwich Town Council was leased the land by Pfizer Ltd in 1955 as a nature reserve under a management agreement also involving Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust.
The reserve was opened by Bill Oddie in May 2000. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust proposed the design and a Management plan including modifications to ditches and control of water levels to create ecological conditions that attract wetland species of plants, animals and birds.
SBBOT continues the day to-day management with financial support from the MAFF Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Pfizer Ltd and Sandwich Town Council. The farm management is by traditional, wildlife friendly methods of cattle grazing.
Restharrow Dunes Nature Reserve
This 26-acre site is owned by the Trust. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and mainly ancient dune meadow managed by winter grazing. There is a stand of mature Elm and a triangle of planted trees known as the Elms Extension. Three gullies, associated with the ancient Haven Cut are fenced and managed separately. The Big Gully has been a traditional ringing site for some 50 years and hosted one of the original Heligoland Traps, as did the Little Gully. The latter site has many botanical and entomological interests including Twayblade, Southern Marsh Orchid, Adder’s Tongue Fern and Marsh Helliborine
The Dune Willow, a dwarf tree, is found in only two other locations in Britain and hosts the miniscule moth Stigmela repentiella, so small that it tunnels between the upper and lower surfaces of Dune Willow leaf. The Little Gully was also the site of the very first Observatory building – a pantechnicon used as a ringing room. The Waldershare Gully has been fenced and planted primarily as a ringing site. The majority of Sandwich Bay’s rare birds have been found on this Reserve including Red-flanked Bluetail, Radde’s and Great Reed Warblers, Woodchat Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow, Little Bunting and Penduline Tit.
Backsand Scrape
An area leased by the Observatory from Mr. Hulme and constructed using funds from a legacy from Mrs.Hyatt. Deep and shallow water surround three islands, one small, round and easily Accessible to wildfowl, one large, square and safer for nesting and the other star-shaped and covered in pea shingle for nesting. It is surrounded by a ten-metre apron and an outside bank. There are two observation hides – the Shirlaw Hide to the north and Geoff’s Hide on the south side. One particularly successful aspect is the breeding bird population. Up to three pairs of Dabchick, Reed Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Coot, Moorhen and Tufted Duck and single pairs of Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Greylag and Canada Geese, Mallard, Sedge Warbler, Gadwall and Mute Swan. Many rare waders have been found here including Baird’s, Pectoral and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalarope. This scrape is used by particularly large numbers of Common and Green Sandpipers, Redshank, Lapwing and Greenshank as a safe refuge at high tides. It is an excellent site to get close views of some hard-to-watch species of wader.
The new scrape near the Observatory is very small but has wheelchair access. Small numbers of waders come down but also non-waders e.g. turtle doves, stock doves, linnets use it as a drinking hole in summer. Geraldine and I have had a few ticks there.
:t:
james
We were made very welcome when we first visited as non-members and were given a guided tour of the place including the traps and ringing huts plus their library and natural history specimen collection including their pet red corn snake, Monty, who is very friendly. The centre is brand new (an example of lottery money going to a very worthy cause) and has great facilities for research, bird watching, tea-making and relaxation. They are always looking for volunteers for ringing especially this time of the year when they are very busy. Vehicle Access to the Private Sandwich Bay Estate is free if you are a SBBO member and are only going to the Observatory. You can park by the toll gate and walk a couple of hundred yards if you are a non-member and don't want to pay the toll (£5)
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust is supported by nearly 450 members. All members receive an Annual Report and regular newsletter updating them on the work of the Trust. There are regular meetings for members, such as our popular Thursday Club, Tuesday night birdwatching classes and the regular Sunday Birding walks (open to non-members), and they can visit the members' Backsand Scrape plus the new scrape near the centre which has an observation tower.
Members also benefit from reduced accommodation rates at the Field Study Centre, and receive discount on selected items from our shop. If you would like to join contact the secretary or go to the members section on the website www.sbbo.co.uk and download a membership application. Fees per annum are:-
Individual £15, Joint/family £20, Senior Citizen/unwaged £10, Junior £5
Phone: Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Phone/Fax: 01304 617341
Email:
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory
[email protected]
Site Contributions [email protected]
Information [email protected]
Post Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory SBBOT, Guilford Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9PF
Secretary, Mrs Gaynor Cross SBBOT, Guilford Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9PF.
See:- www.sbbo.co.uk
The following info is from the web site, the latest sightings sections of which is always well-updated and fascinating to read...
ASPECTS OF SANDWICH BAY
AND THE OBSERVATORY
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory is situated on the Kent Coast between the estuary of the River Stour and the town of Deal to the south; it lies south-east of the historic town and Cinque Port of Sandwich and only 40 km from the continental coastline.
SBBOT operates within a private estate, on adjacent farmland, nature reserve and golf course by courtesy of the landowners. The Observatory is a recognised charitable trust and is managed by a Council elected by an Annual General Meeting. The work of the Observatory relies upon the voluntary assistance of its members and the contributions made available by a large number of visiting birdwatchers, many of whom take advantage of the hostel accommodation. The Council considers all applications made to it for membership of the Trust, welcoming any who would like to contribute to its work in a practical or supporting way. The Observatory produces several newsletters each year and summarises its work in a comprehensive Annual Report which is sent to all full members.
The records of SBBOT may also be seen by arrangement with the Secretary. Bird Ringing is carried out by accredited personnel under licence according to the rules of the British Trust for Ornithology, from whom all rings and nets are purchased. The BTO notifies the finder and the ringer, of all details of ringed birds found and reported to them. Training facilities may be offered to those wishing to become ringers
The main work of the Observatory is to watch, record and ring, the birds of Sandwich Bay, with the object of relating local distribution and bird movements to a national perspective, whilst monitoring the effects of inevitable changes in the environment. It can also provide valuable data in support of measures for the conservation of threatened areas.It aims also to encourage a better appreciation of our heritage and to provide instruction and example for its future.
Migrant birds in spring and autumn form the majority of an average total of 10,000 birds ringed each year, this being especially true of the autumn when in right conditions, birds seem to be in every bush. In late autumn, excitement is centred on the large number of wintering birds watched coming in from the continent and the anticipation of late rarities from as far afield as Siberia. Winter brings the estuary into focus with its populations of wading birds, its ducks and seabirds, together with flocks of Snow Bunting and Twite.
Spring is the time for the departure of winter species, the return of summer migrants and the beginning of yet another breeding season.
SBBO Reserves:-
Monks' Wall Nature Reserve
Monks' Wall Nature Reserve a 5 minute walk across the bridge from the quay in Sandwich and is ideal for seeing wild duck and other wildlife in a wetland habitat.
This reserve recreates, from arable fields, traditional wet grazing meadows once common to the flood plain of the River Stour.
The habitat attracts large numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders from the arctic that find sanctuary in the reserve, while breeding waterfowl and other wetland species occur in the summer. Historically the land was reclaimed from the river and sea by the monks of Sandwich and the northern boundary is still the old Monks' wall of the 13th Century,. In the 1953 floods the sea covered the whole area round Sandwich and after these fields were drained a new river bank was created and the land ploughed for arable farming with heavy use of fertiliser.
Despite this disaster the ditches still have a number of interesting plants with great potential for improvement. Sandwich Town Council was leased the land by Pfizer Ltd in 1955 as a nature reserve under a management agreement also involving Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust.
The reserve was opened by Bill Oddie in May 2000. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust proposed the design and a Management plan including modifications to ditches and control of water levels to create ecological conditions that attract wetland species of plants, animals and birds.
SBBOT continues the day to-day management with financial support from the MAFF Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Pfizer Ltd and Sandwich Town Council. The farm management is by traditional, wildlife friendly methods of cattle grazing.
Restharrow Dunes Nature Reserve
This 26-acre site is owned by the Trust. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and mainly ancient dune meadow managed by winter grazing. There is a stand of mature Elm and a triangle of planted trees known as the Elms Extension. Three gullies, associated with the ancient Haven Cut are fenced and managed separately. The Big Gully has been a traditional ringing site for some 50 years and hosted one of the original Heligoland Traps, as did the Little Gully. The latter site has many botanical and entomological interests including Twayblade, Southern Marsh Orchid, Adder’s Tongue Fern and Marsh Helliborine
The Dune Willow, a dwarf tree, is found in only two other locations in Britain and hosts the miniscule moth Stigmela repentiella, so small that it tunnels between the upper and lower surfaces of Dune Willow leaf. The Little Gully was also the site of the very first Observatory building – a pantechnicon used as a ringing room. The Waldershare Gully has been fenced and planted primarily as a ringing site. The majority of Sandwich Bay’s rare birds have been found on this Reserve including Red-flanked Bluetail, Radde’s and Great Reed Warblers, Woodchat Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow, Little Bunting and Penduline Tit.
Backsand Scrape
An area leased by the Observatory from Mr. Hulme and constructed using funds from a legacy from Mrs.Hyatt. Deep and shallow water surround three islands, one small, round and easily Accessible to wildfowl, one large, square and safer for nesting and the other star-shaped and covered in pea shingle for nesting. It is surrounded by a ten-metre apron and an outside bank. There are two observation hides – the Shirlaw Hide to the north and Geoff’s Hide on the south side. One particularly successful aspect is the breeding bird population. Up to three pairs of Dabchick, Reed Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Coot, Moorhen and Tufted Duck and single pairs of Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Greylag and Canada Geese, Mallard, Sedge Warbler, Gadwall and Mute Swan. Many rare waders have been found here including Baird’s, Pectoral and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalarope. This scrape is used by particularly large numbers of Common and Green Sandpipers, Redshank, Lapwing and Greenshank as a safe refuge at high tides. It is an excellent site to get close views of some hard-to-watch species of wader.
The new scrape near the Observatory is very small but has wheelchair access. Small numbers of waders come down but also non-waders e.g. turtle doves, stock doves, linnets use it as a drinking hole in summer. Geraldine and I have had a few ticks there.
:t:
james
