Bay Explorers: Bird Conservation and Migration

Do you know an 8–16-year-old with a wild side? Then they'd be right at home with our Bay Explorers. From beavers to birds - our Bay Explorers are on the case! Meeting monthly, our Bay Explorers are expert species inspectors - from spotting beaver tracks to identifying ducks, they’ve got local wildlife sussed. 

Designed for young nature lovers aged 8–16, this group gives budding naturalists the chance to:

• Discover local wildlife up close
• Get hands-on with pond dipping, small mammal surveys & bird ringing
• Learn from local experts in conservation and ecology
• Meet other friendly, like-minded young explorers!

This month we will be focusing on bird conservation and migration. Around 4,000 bird species are regular migrants, undertaking remarkable journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds each year.

Many of the birds that spend the summer in the UK have travelled here from Africa to breed, taking advantage of our long daylight hours and abundance of insect life. While warmer climates may seem more appealing, they often have greater competition for nesting sites, more predators, and fewer insects during the breeding season. If our warm, wet summers are good for one thing, it's the explosion of insects that provides the perfect food source for hungry chicks!

July is a key month to witness the beginning of the autumn migration, which runs through to November. Unlike the urgency of spring migration, the autumn movement is a slower, more gradual journey as shortening days and dwindling food supplies encourage birds to head south. Millions of birds pass through the UK at this time, with some travelling on to Africa while others arrive here to spend the winter. Swifts are among the first to depart, followed by swallows, house and sand martins. Before crossing the English Channel, swallows and martins often gather in spectacular flocks on telephone wires. On favourable easterly winds, migrants from Scandinavia can also be blown across the North Sea, creating memorable "falls" of warblers, goldcrests and, occasionally, scarce or rare visitors along the Kent coast.

To round off the experience, participants will have the opportunity (weather permitting) to watch some of Sandwich Bay's visiting birds being carefully weighed, measured and ringed under licence. This important work forms part of the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory's long-term conservation and monitoring programme, offering a fascinating insight into how migration is studied and helping to protect these incredible travellers.

Spaces are limited to 20 participants aged 8 and over per session.

Details:

This is a drop-off Saturday club for children aged between 8-16 years old costing £8 for this session. Due to child to staff ratios, we cannot accommodate children under the age of 8.

Please note to make the most of this session, we will be starting at the earlier time of 9am. Please arrive promptly.

Ticket holders will be provided equipment, refreshment and snack.

Parts of this event will take place outside so please prepare yourself for the Kent weather! Sturdy footwear, sun cream, hats and refillable drinks bottles are a must.

Any questions? Please email educationofficer@sbbot.org.uk