Greg Bessant

SAMMS Officer

Meet Greg, Our longest running member of the Bird Wise East Kent Team, he is our SAMMS Officer which stands for Strategic, Access Mitigation and Management.

Greg Loves the East Kent Coast! He has worked for Birdwise for 2 and half years and has been a coastal warden for the Thanet Coast Project since he was 16!

His favourite East Kent site is the Wantsum stretch between Minnis and Reculver, because it is one of the best spots to see migrating and breeding birds!

When asked what Greg's favourite bird was there was a long pause before he said either a Peregrine or a Hoopoe! He said he admires Peregrines for as long as he can remember but the Hoopoe is just iconic in the way it looks and sounds!

Richard Wonfor

Engagement Officer

Meet Richard! He joined Birdwise in December 2025. Richard comes from South East London but lives in Medway, His background is Habitat Management and has worked in the conservation industry since he was 16.

His favourite site in East Kent is the wantsum stretch, but we made him pick another because Greg has that one, so instead Richard Choose Botany Bay, He said he loves the site history as well as the really important Winter Tidal Roost!

When asked what his favourite bird was, Richard picked a Bittern, but we made him pick a different one because you don't often see Bittern in East Kent, he instead chose the Fulmar, saying he loves the laughing call and how Graceful they look when they fly!

Sam Cannon

Engagement Officer

Meet Sam! Sam is our newest member of the Birdwise Team, he was born in Margate and grew up all along the East Kent Coast! He has worked in a variety of fields Including English Language teaching, Graphic design and Arboriculture.

Sam's favourite spot is Walpole bay, He loves seeing the Fulmars there and as a keen swimmer he can often be found in the Tidal Pool!

Sam's favourite bird is a Jay, He said there is something charismatic about this corvid, even if it doesn't have the nicest call! but his second favourite is the Ringed Plover because of how intelligent and cheeky they are!