An American golden plover has been sighted at Kent Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve at Pegwell Bay.

The distinctively coloured wader arrived recently and has been positively identified. It is only the fourth occurrence in the county, the last being in 1987.

The bird was seen on the newly restored inter-tidal area which was formerly swamped by cord grass, itself originally from North America.

Backed by funding from the GrantScape Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the trust removed five hectares of this invasive grass to restore open mudflats for feeding and roosting wading birds.

Pegwell Bay reserve warden Jason Mitchell said: “We are thrilled this newly created wetland habitat is already being used by so many wading birds and the arrival of this rare transatlantic visitor is the icing on the cake!

“Through the GrantScape project, further work is aimed at improving this important national nature reserve. We are 18 months into this four year project and we have already achieved major gains for wildlife and visitors.”

A new hide was unveiled during the trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations last weekend at the Pegwell Bay Country Park. For more information call Kent Wildlife Trust on 01622 662012.