The Great Kent Coastal Birdwatch

The Great Kent Coastal Birdwatch!

This year we are very excited to be running the first ever Great Kent Coastal Birdwatch, during February half term. We are collaborating with local groups Kent Wildlife Trust, Bird Wise North Kent, Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, the RSPB and Thanet Coast Project for this event. You have from Saturday the 12th February to Sunday the 20th to get out on the coast and counting!

Anyone can take part. You can go out alone, as a family, or come along to one of our group surveys for help identifying the birds.

How to get involved: 

  1. Choose a coastal spot to walk along, this can be anywhere between Sandwich Bay and Gravesend. 
  2. Download our printable Great Kent Coast Birdwatch recording form to take out on your walk, so you can make note of the birds that you see. Check out our About the Birds pages for identification help.
  3. Spend between half an hour and an hour walking along the coast, counting the number of birds that you see as you walk. 
  4. Make sure to be be aware of disturbance as you walk, try to keep 100 metres between yourselves and the birds and if possible use binoculars to identify them. 
  5. Fill in our online Great Kent Coast Birdwatch form so we can collate all of the information people have collected.

We will be out on the coast throughout the week taking people out to do the survey with us, helping with bird identification and anything else.  More information on all events and how to book on here.

Monday 14th February – Pegwell

11am – 3pm – Drop in family activities at Pegwell Bay with Kent Wildlife Trust

2pm – 3pm – Family birdwatch survey with help identifying the birds and wildlife spotting.

Tuesday 15th February – Margate

1 – 2pm – Scavenger Hunt with Thanet Coast Project. Aimed at young children (4-9s) working in family teams.

2 – 3pm – Family birdwatch survey with help identifying the birds and wildlife spotting.

Wednesday 16th February – Long Rock 

9.30 – 10.30am – Family birdwatch survey with help identifying the birds and wildlife spotting.

Thursday 17th February – Minnis

9 – 10am – Family birdwatch survey with help identifying the birds and wildlife spotting.

10 – 11am – Scavenger Hunt with Thanet Coast Project. Aimed at young children (4-9s) working in family teams.

Friday 18th February – Reculver

Ranger Day with Anna Outdoors.

Health and Safety

Tides

  • Please check the tide times before you head out. We recommend trying to do your survey within 2 hours of low tide. This will help you to see the most birds and prevent any chance of being cut off by the tide. 

Walking

  • Take care when walking along the shoreline, rocks can be uneven and slippery. Wear solid footwear. Be cautious around water.

Surveying alone

  • If you are doing the survey aone, tell someone where you are going to be and for how long. Take your phone and ensure it has enough battery charge.

Weather

  • Check out the forecast and bear this in mind when dressing. It’s still very chilly out there so ensure you’re wearing enough layers to be on the exposed coast. 

Emergencies

  • In the event of an emergency, contact emergency services on 999. 

We hope you enjoy yourselves and please drop us an email on birdwise@thanet.gov.uk with any questions!