SANDWICH BAY BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST

Guilford Road
Sandwich Bay
Sandwich
Kent CT13 9PF
tel: 01304‚617341

Registered Charity No. 289343

At Sandwich Bay, two miles from Sandwich and on the coast, is the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory run by Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust which welcomes naturalists and scientists to stay and contribute to their work. Established in 1952 as a bird migration research station to monitor movements of birds as part of a Europewide network of similar stations the observatory became a Charitable Trust in 1984 widening its sphere of interest to conservation ecology and educational aspects of the subject. We also are aware that the birds we see are part of a wider population and our studies help with conservation plans in other parts of Europe not just Sandwich Bay. This is emphasised through recent cooperation with similar organisations just across the channel. Birds do not respect political boundaries but are affected by political policies towards conservation!

The site at Sandwich Bay is chosen as ideal for observing migrants on passage between breeding quarters further north and winter quarters to the south, perhaps Africa. The birds land at the coast after journeys over the sea and many cross the North Sea by the short channel crossing. Seabirds also occur, many of them migrants on passage, while the nearby Pegwell Bay provides an excellent site to observe a large variety of species of waterfowl and waders at any time of the year but in particular in the winter.

Much of what we know about the origins and destinations of the migrant birds visiting Sandwich Bay has been discovered through the ringing of birds at the bird observatory. The fact that Lesser Whitethroats from Britain migrate east round the Mediterranean to winter in East Africa, unlike most warblers that migrate west to Africa, was first indicated through the large numbers of this species which have been ringed here and their subsequent recoveries. Ringing is still the major tool for understanding many aspects of the mysteries of bird migration. The bird observatory also co-operates in national censusing of birds which is revealing much about changes in numbers over the years and the effect of weather on the occurrence of birds. Frequent rare birds turn up each year from distant parts of the world and these add spice to the everyday monitoring. A speciality of Sandwich Bay is the Pallas's Warbler from Siberia in October/November.

The whole area of Sandwich Bay has many attractions for those interested in wildlife with a variety of coastal habitats protected under European legislation. This is mainly for the international importance of the scarce bird species, especially the wintering birds such as the waders: Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Turnstone and some breeding species such as the scarce Little Tern. There are also many rare invertebrates in the sanddune and wetland habitats as well as rare plants such as the Lizard Orchid which occurs in larger numbers at Sandwich Bay than anywhere else in Britain. Some of this area is owned, leased or managed by the Trust to help conserve the wildlife.

The bird observatory records the birds and other aspects of wildlife over the coastal area between Pegwell Bay and Deal and most of the inland wetland of the protected areas. A moth trap is in regular operation throughout the summer and the results of this activity and other aspects of the ecology of the area are recorded in our Annual Report along with a systematic list of the bird species of the area.

The observatory is next year (1998) undertaking a major development of its headquarters to provide Field Centre facilities. This includes expansion to accommodate educational study groups and provide laboratory facilities for serious scientific investigation. There will also be day-visitor facilities with displays of the work of the Trust and a shop. A regular bird club meets every Thursday and a larger lecture theatre is planned.

Volunteers are welcome to take part in our studies and help towards the conservation of the wildlife of the area. Self-catering accommodation is available for bona fide naturalists at a very reasonable rate.

For those interested in the work of the Trust or who seek further information on accommodation please write to the Secretary at the above address.
For those interested in making a donation towards our work or to our planned Field Centre development please write to our Treasurer at the above address.