Kent Birding Highlights for March 2026

                                                                       7th

                                      WORTH MARSHES

                                               

Iceland Gull

News of a 2nd winter Iceland Gull on Minnis Flood at Worth Marshes peaked my interest on the 7th , this would be a new bird for my Sandwich Bay bird list and i absolutely love wing winged gulls !!

I waited until the 2nd report came out before i left home as Gulls can be very hit & miss on their length of stay , i parked up near ND house and was just getting my birding gear sorted out when all of a sudden Neil came rushing out of his side gate and shouted ' Are you looking for the Iceland Gull ??? '

And before i could answer he went onto say ' It's above your head !!! '

Circling around above my car.

I couldn't have timed it any better as the Iceland Gull circled above me a couple of times before heading off inland and out of view, so a big thanks to ND who was also very pleased to add it to his garden bird list.

Iceland Gull.

I did have a walk down to Minnis Flood but failed to find the Caspian Gull but a smart Water Pipit was nice to see.

10th

OARE MARSHES

Merlin

The undoubted highlight of a walk around Oare Marshes on the 10th  was a superb Merlin, it was quite distant on a bush on the West flood for awhile before it flew closer and alighted on a much closer fence post.

Much closer view.

Rear head pattern similar to Little Owl

Digi scoped photo.

Merlin

There was also 2 Spoonbills present on the saltmarsh and a Water Pipit on the East Flood.

23rd

TANKERTON SLOPES

A look from Tankerton slopes on the 23rd was rewarded with a decent scope view of a superb Red necked Grebe which had been present for a few days plus a distant Great northern Diver and several Brent Geese were good to see.

WORTH  MARSHES

Raven

Another visit to Worth Marshes also on the 23rd produced a vocal Raven and at least 5 Red Kites , not a to dissimilar sight these days.

A really smart looking Water Pipit on Minnis Flood had a hint of a pinkish flush on it's breast & 2 bold supercilium's, nicely picked out by MW.

Little ringed Plover.

It was really great to connect with a Little Ringed Plover which was my first migrant of 2026.

There was quite a gathering of local birders here now in the hope that the Iceland Gull would make another appearance which unfortunately it didn't , however Yellow legged Gull, Med Gull , Pintail & 3 Ruff were picked out which were all good to see.

30th

OARE MARSHES

Wheatear

A walk to Dans Dock at Oare Marshes on the 30th was very cold & windy but i did see a superb Wheatear in the sheep fields.

Wheatear.

There wasn't alot on the West flood although Med Gulls have increased in numbers since my last visit.

Mediterranean Gull

There was also a few Bearded Tits 'Pinging' away in the reed bed.

Bearded Tit.