Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

August 2008

Kent Wildlife Trust

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Reporting Your Sightings

To help keep this page as up-to-date and informative as possible, please send your sightings and any pictures taken onsite (please see 'Guidelines for submissions' on the KOS Photo Gallery for details of how to resize your pics etc.) to Murray Wright by clicking here.

Species List for 2008

To view the complete list of species recorded so far this year please click here.

164 species have been recorded in the area so far this year.
 

August 31st

(10:30-12:45) I actually arrived at 06:30 in thickening fog. I could see most of the East Flood when I arrived, but within 20 mins the fog had thickened considerably. After an hour of hearing Green Sandpiper, Kingfishers and Cetti's Warbler etc. I decided to have a doze in the car until the fog had lifted. I was rudely awoken at 08:08 by a text from Geoff Burton informing me of the presence of a Wryneck at Swalecliffe. After a couple of quick phone calls and a 15 minute drive I was at Swalecliffe and watching this stunning bird (I went back after 15:00 and it was showing extremely well more or less continuously for the assembled 'crowd' - as good a look at a Wryneck as I have ever had). Satisfied I returned to Oare at around 10:30. The fog had lifted and there was a light NW breeze. I decided to ignore the East Flood and headed to the Sea Wall hide. At 11:05 3 Arctic Skuas (one adult pale phase bird and two adult dark phase birds) came up the Swale over the hide and headed west towards Conyer. Also noted: 4 Black Terns headed east, flocks of 43 and 17 Common Terns (couldn't string any Arctics again!) flew south-west inland, and several Sandwich Terns flew west.

(Murray Wright)

August 30th

(06:30-13:00) The early morning mist soon lifted to leave bright and hazy sunshine, and it was much warmer than recently. The wind was a strengthening ESE. As I got out of the car a flock of circa 75 Common Terns flew south-west, and by 07:00 150+ had flown inland. There were also small flocks of Ringed Plovers (totalling 75+) with a few Turnstones and Dunlins mixed in flying high inland too. On the East Flood there was 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, and the adult and juvenile Garganey still. The juvenile Hobby was perched in the lone elder on the west side again for much of the morning. 9 Turtle Doves were in the trees opposite the cottages and 7 more were on the wires to the south, plus 6 Corn Buntings on the wires, and a Wheatear on the bales of straw nearby. 5 Yellow Wagtails were in the horse paddock opposite the cottages, with 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a singing Cetti's Warbler, 1  or 2 Kingfishers, 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay and a female Sparrowhawk noted in and around the scrub. 15 Yellow Wagtails were feeding amongst the cattle near the West Hide, with another Wheatear perched on a gate nearby, and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew east. A Little Owl was in the lone hawthorn east of the cottages again. 2 Whinchats were around the South East Scrape. 7 Sandwich Terns flew west along the Swale from the Sea Wall hide. I walked west to Uplees with Mike Stevens. 3 Whinchats  and 4 Wheatears were at Dan's Dock, and 7 Turnstones flew west along the Swale there. 2 more Wheatears were at Uplees, but not much else. Back at the East Flood and with the tide coming in quickly: 2 adult winter Little Stints, circa 100 Dunlin, 17 Knot, 129 Ringed Plovers, circa 500 Golden Plovers, 16 Greenshanks, circa 500 Redshanks, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Ruff (including the 'blue-flagged' colour-ringed male still and a juvenile Reeve), circa 300 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Sandwich Terns, 4 Common Terns plus another flock of 20 flew south, circa 300 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Little Egrets, plus circa 200 Starlings and several Yellow Wagtails were around the flood. We couldn't find any Curlew Sandpipers.

(Murray Wright)

An adult Sabine's Gull (with a full hood) flew west along the Swale with Sandwich Terns at 14:25, and 5 Arctic Skuas flew in off the Swale and headed west towards Conyer - both additions to the Oare year list. Also 1 Little Gull noted.

(Richard Bonser and Barry Wright)

(15:30-18:00) News of the Sabine's Gull and skuas had me returning to Oare this afternoon. The wind had swung round to ENE and was fairly strong, but the visiblity was rather hazy. I added Arctic Skua to my year list - a dark phase juvenile which flew infront of the Sea Wall hide and then headed south-west over the East Flood. Also, 1 adult Kittiwake flew east and circa 50 Sandwich Terns were noted. Later I was joined by Julian Russell and Chris Abrams. At around 17:30 we had a group of 5 Black Terns with 11 Sandwich Terns circling high over the hide before drifting west. Heading back to the car 5 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers flew over the East Flood and appeared to drop onto Faversham Creek.

(Murray Wright)

August 29th

The Spotted Crake was seen from the sea wall in more or less the same position maybe 20 metres to the left. It was first seen by John Burton (no relation to Geoff) and confirmed by Dave Perrin and Sam Pellatt at approx 11:30. The weather was overcast and the water levels reduced but we had good views. It had bee pushed out by another bird probably another Water Rail, but was also in the pool at the same time as another Water Rail.

(Sam Pellatt)
 

August 28th

(10:00-17:00) Overcast until late afternoon when the sun finally broke through and, with only a light W wind, it was a very pleasant day. A female Yellowhammer was around the paddocks - only the second bird this year (a singing male was present during March and April). 5 Turtle Doves were on the wires south west of the cottages. A worn summer plumage Sanderling was roosting amongst the Dunlins and Ringed Plovers on the East Flood close to the entrance road - my second record for Oare this year (two were present briefly on August 4th). Also on the East Flood at hight tide: 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 3 winter plumage Little Stints, 178 Dunlins, 9 Knot, 158 Ringed Plovers, only 13 Golden Plovers, 17 Ruff, circa 500 Redshanks, 9 Greenshanks, circa 800 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel, 1 adult Common Gull, an adult and a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull, circa 300 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Little Egret. I didn't see any Curlew Sandpipers today. There were also circa 300 Starlings and several Yellow Wagtails around the flood. An adult Hobby flew through chasing the Starlings and putting all the small waders up which flew off to the Swale and didn't retun (including the Sanderling!). A Little Owl was back in its favourite hawthorn behind the cottages. Scanning the Swale from the Sea Wall hide I picked out a winter plumage Guillemot just infront of the yellow bouy and slowly drifting east on the receding tide - an addition to the Oare year list. Also, there was a juvenile Great Crested Grebe on the Swale. 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers were over Mockett's on Sheppey. A juvenile Water Rail and 6 Little Egrets were on the West Flood. A tip off from Mike Roser had me heading down to Dan's Dock where there were 4 Wheatears and 3 smart Whinchats posing nicely on the fences there. Back at the East Flood I was joined by Mike "the Berlingo Kid" Stevens making one of his rare visits since semi-retirement! Mike picked up the 2 Garganey on the flood still. Circa 300 Golden Plovers dropped in being briefly disturbed by a juvenile Hobby flying over. Just as we were leaving 9 vocal Whimbrel flew west along the Swale. A very enjoyable session!

(Murray Wright)

August 27th

(06:20-11:00) Grey and overcast again with a moderate SW wind. A fairly quiet morning. On the East Flood: the adult and juvenile Garganeys still, 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 1 adult Little Stint, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, circa 75 Dunlins, 11 Knot, 4 Greenshanks, circa 400 Redshanks, 37 Golden Plovers, circa 100 Ringed Plovers, 16 Ruff, circa 800 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Egrets. A pair of Hobbies circled high over the East Flood drifting west and causing mayhem amongst the small waders although not seen chasing anything in particular - all the Ringed Plovers flew off with only around 30 returning close to the road, and scanning through these there was a freshly dead bird on its back with legs in the air! Heart failure perhaps? 5 Turtle Doves were opposite the cottages with 7 more on the wires, plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker nearby. 9 Little Egrets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek. Had another unsuccessful look for the Spotted Crake on the West Flood, which I haven't seen since last Wednesday - just 2 Green Sandpipers and 11 Little Egrets noted. A Wheatear was on the sea wall west of the Watch House.

(Murray Wright)

August 26th

(06:35-11:25) The tide was well in when I arrived. Counts of waders on the east flood included 240 Ringed Plovers, 200 Golden Plovers, three Knot, two adult Little Stints, one adult Curlew Sandpiper, 960 Black-tailed Godwits and three Greenshank. The adult and juvenile Garganey were also present. One Sandwich Tern was perched on the slipway poles, a Wheatear was on the rocks nearby and a Whimbrel in the saltmarsh. The Hobby was roosting in the elder bush.Turned my attention to the west flood. No sign of the Spotted Crake but saw three Water Rails, a Green Sandpiper and 40 Little Egrets in the pools. Three Turtle Doves (all juveniles) were on the telegraph poles and later there seven by the drinking troughs at the top of the field behind the east hide with a Little Owl calling in hawthorn bush nearby. A Cetti's Warbler was practising quietly at the entrance to the west hide path. There were two Common Sandpipers in the creek and, as the tide fell, ten Knot and 100+ Grey Plovers flew up the Swale, c200 mixed Ringed Plovers and Dunlin with a single Turnstone landed to feed on the mud west of the slipway. A Sparrowhawk was jousting with a Herring Gull over the Swale. Other observers included Rob Clements, Malcolm McVail (last seen staking out the Spot Crake) and the Berlingo Kid.

(Geoff Burton)

I caught a brief glimpse of a Spotted Crake on the large pool behind and slightly to the left of the pools where reports have come from hitherto (as seen from the sea wall). I also saw Buzzard and Peregrine over Mocketts Hill.

(Malcolm McVail)

(17:35-19:10) A return visit found little on the east flood (tide still on its way in). There were 14 Turtle Doves on the wires over the fields south of the reserve. A Spotted Redshank flew in over the west flood from the direction of Sheppey. I returned to the check the pools on the west flood where I was joined by Julian Russell. Adult and juvenile Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper and a Garganey were seen but again no Spotted Crake.

(Geoff Burton)

August 25th

(05:50-11:00) A bright and sunny start, but cloud building later on the strong SW wind. The juvenile Hobby was still present all morning west of the entrance road perched on posts near the lone elder. A Sandwich Tern was roosting on the posts along the slipway, plus 3 Common Terns. On the East Flood: 2 Garganey, 2 adult winter Little Stints, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, circa 100 Dunlin, 38 Knot, 14 Ruff, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 128 Ringed Plovers, circa 300 Golden Plovers, 5 Greenshanks, circa 400 Redshanks, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Kingfishers. 7 Turtle Doves were in and around the horse paddock with fourteen more on the wires nearby. 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15+ Common Whitethroats, several Reed Warblers and 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the paddocks. A Wheatear was near the Sea Wall hide. I had a quick look for the Spotted Crake on the West Flood (Mike Roser had seen it earlier), but no luck again, just 1 adult Water Rail and 3 Green Sandpipers noted.

(Murray Wright)

(07:15-09:15) West Flood and beyond. Frustratingly brief views of the Spotted Crake 07:30-07:40 in the usual area with a showy adult Water Rail (I didn`t pick up on any juveniless this time). Circa 40 Little Egrets at one stage in the air together then dispersing across the marsh. 2 Green Sandpipers in the marsh. At Dan's Dock at least 4 Wheatears with a Whinchat in attendance. 70 Ringed Plovers on Uplees mud and a sprinkling of Dunlin and 5 Black-tailed Godwit. Picked up on the Hobby, on a post at a prolonged preening session.
(Mike Roser)

August 24th

(05:50-11:00) A cool, grey morning with some heavy rain early on and a strengthening SW wind. The Hobby was in the lone elder bush on the west side again early on, but appeared to move on as the rain started. 27 Little Egrets flew west over the entrance road with most dropping onto the West Flood. Small groups of Swallows were moving south west. Sheltering in the East Hide the following were noted on the East Flood at high tide: 3 Garganey, 1 winter plumage adult Little Stint, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 34 Knot, circa 100 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 37 Ringed Plovers, 27 Golden Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 13 Ruff, 9 Greenshanks, circa 500 Redshanks, only around 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Turnstone, an adult and a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adult Common Gulls, circa 250 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Little Egrets. 4 Turtle Doves were opposite the cottages with eighteen more on the wires nearby. A male Sparrowhawk was in the paddocks. 22+ Yellow Wagtails were amongst the cattle on the way to the West Hide. A Peregrine was on the second pylon east of Faversham Creek. An adult Curlew Sandpiper was on the mud in front of the Sea Wall hide, plus 25 Grey Plovers, 23 Knot and 25 Curlew. A Common Buzzard was circling over Mockett's before flying west. I had a quick and unsuccessful look for the Spotted Crake, just 2 Green Sandpipers noted.

(Murray Wright)

August 23rd

(06:15-11:30) A cool and overcast start, but the cloud soon broke up on the W breeze to leave a nice sunny morning. I arrived a bit later than intended having set my alarm for 4:30 PM! The first bird I saw was a Hobby perched in the lone elder bush on the west side, where it spent all morning occasionally flying out to catch dragonflies - it was still there when I left. A Barn Owl was perched on a post south west of the West Hide. Although an hour or so after high tide there was still plenty on the East Flood: an adult and a juvenile Little Stint, 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 19 Knot, circa 100 Dunlins, 83 Ringed Plovers, 82 Golden Plovers, 14 Greenshank, circa 400 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 13 Ruff, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 125 Lapwings, 1 Garganey, an adult and a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull, circa 300 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Little Egret and 2 Kingfishers, plus several Whimbrel flew south west. A female Sparrowhawk flying through disturbed everything on the flood, followed a few minutes later by the same reaction to a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying west. 14 Turtle Doves  were in the trees opposite the cottages, plus 2 male Blackcaps and several Common Whitethroats in the paddocks. I had a quick and unsuccessful look for the Spotted Crake on my way to Uplees, however, 12 Little Egrets, several Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers and a juvenile Water Rail were on the West Flood, plus a Whinchat nearby. 2 Wheatears were at Dan's Dock, with three more at Uplees, plus a second Whinchat there. A Common Buzzard circled over the Swale from Sheppey and flew south. 7 Grey Plovers and 2 Whimbrel were on the mud at Uplees. Just before 10:00 I had call from Steve Clinch reporting the Spotted Crake had put in a brief appearance in its favoured location. 21 Common Seals were on Horse Sands.

(Murray Wright)

August 21st

(12:00-15:00) On arrival the East Flood was fairly deserted and I spent 30 minutes there before going to try and see the Spotted Crake for one hour and needless to say unsuccessful. But by now the tide was rising quickly so returned to the East Flood where the birds were flooding in in great numbers. Difficult to be too specific with numbers but this is a list of what was seen: 600+ Black-tailed Godwit, 250+ Golden Plover,1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 150+ Redshank, circa 30 Ruff, 5 Little Stint, 1 Turnstone, circa 20 Dunlin, 100+ Ringed Plover, 5 Wigeon, 5 Garganey, a Hobby created mayhem for a couple of minutes and the sky was filled with birds. 2 Wheatear were on the path to the Spotted Crake, 6 Whimbrel, a few Snipe and not enough time to count the Lapwing - guess 200+. A total of 18 species of waders were seen, good is it not!!!including Knot. A really lovely experience and this is why Oare is such a rewarding place to birdwatch. 4/5 Marsh Harrier flying over the hills at Sheppey. Sorry forgot to add 2 Little Terns and the usual Little Egrets. Passerines very scarce!!
(Malcolm McVail)

August 20th

(06:30-09:00) Overcast with a strengthening SW wind again. Due to other commitments I only had time for a short visit this morning. A Turtle Dove was in the trees opposite the cottages with five more on the wires nearby, plus juvenile Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and a Kingfisher nearby. The tide was going out, so there wasn't too much on the East Flood: 1 adult Little Stint, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 12 Ruff (including the blue 'flagged' colour-ringed bird still), circa 20 Golden Plovers, circa 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Garganey and 1 Kingfisher. I joined Julian and John Bartlett on the sea wall looking for the Spotted Crake, which a visiting birder had seen earlier. It soon reappered and showed quite well and continuously from 08:00 - 08:35, and long enough to be twitched by Nigel Jarman too! I could only manage the record shot below - well the light was poor, the wind was blowing and the bird wasn't all that close! Also noted: 2 Water Rails (an adult and a juvenile), 2 Green Sandpipers over, and circa 15 Little Egrets. A Wheatear was on the rocks near the Watch House.

(Murray Wright)

August 19th

(13:30-15:30) A mixture of sunny spells and heavy cloud with a very strong SW wind. A short afternoon visit to tie in with high tide. On the East Flood: 4 Garganey, 6 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, circa 100 Dunlins, 10 Knot, 200 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, circa 300 Golden Plovers, 19 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Turnstones, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, circa 700 Black-tailed Godwits, several Common Snipe, 2 Avocets, 294 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 43 Cormorants, 1 Little Egret and several Yellow Wagtails. No news of the Spotted Crake today.

(Murray Wright)

August 18th

(06:30-07:45) The Spotted Crake was showing well on and off on the West Flood again this morning.

(Steve Clinch and Julian Russell)

(07:50-11:30) Having arrived at just before 08:00 to later learn that I'd just missed the Spotted Crake - I took up station on the sea wall hoping that the bird would appear. About 2.5 hours and a good soaking later it duly obliged, remaining motionless head-on for a couple of minutes or so before doing an about turn back into the vegetation from whence it came. Splendid! While awaiting it's arrival I also noted 17 Whimbrel over the West Flood, a Garganey on it, and a Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard over Mockett's Hill. Also many more Sand Martins flying through heading west. Little time was left for a look at the East Flood but a quick pan around produced circa 550 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, 240 Golden Plover, a handful of Dunlin, at least 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stint and 5 Greenshank with the likelihood that more were present but unmviewable from the East Flood pull-in........and so to work.

(Mike Stevens)

(13:15-16:30) A mainly overcast afternoon with some light rain on the strong SW wind. Decided on an afternoon visit to coincide with high tide and concentrated on the East Flood. Met Julian Russell (and nice to see Mick Sinden too). The following were noted on the flood: 5 Garganey, 4 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints (4 adults and 1 juvenile), circa 100 Dunlin, 12 Knot, 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank, circa 500 Redshanks, 117 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey plover, circa 300 Golden Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits,  12 Little Terns including at least 3 juveniles, 3 Common Terns, 1 adult Common Gull, and 1 Little Egret. Also 100+ birders too - though no juveniles (well apart from me and Julian perhaps!).

(Murray Wright)

August 17th

(06:30-11:30) An overcast start with heavy rain soon falling, but drier and a  bit brighter from 08:45. Wind was a light S. Met Dick Bailey, Keith Privett and Richard Smith. The Spotted Crake showed well occasionally again on the West Flood this morning though it was generally elusive in the thick vegetation - its on the the small pools along the northern edge of the flood (i.e. those closest to the sea wall) circa 250 yards west of the car park. There were also 2 adult Water Rails, plus 17 Little Egrets on the West Flood and 3 Green Sandpipers flying over. Got thoroughly soaked with Dick and Keith waiting for the crake to show! A Wheatear was near the Watch House with another along the sea wall to the west. News of a Wood Sandpiper had us hurrying back to the East Flood where it was showing well close to the entrance road - a year tick for me at last! Also on the East Flood this morning: 5 Garganey, 2 adult Little Stints, 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Greenshanks with three more flying over, 3 Knot plus a flock of 14 flew low south west, 3 Whimbrel plus a flock of 12 flew west, 10 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plovers,  groups of 7 and 5 Grey Plovers flew south west, circa 350 Golden Plovers, 9+ Comon Snipe, circa 800 Black-tailed Godwits with birds still arriving as I left, circa 500 Redshanks, 1 Common Tern and 2 Little Egrets. Richard added 3 Black Terns and 5 Little Terns at high tide. 15 Yellow Wagtails were in the horse paddocks - a mix of adults and juveniles, plus 2 Blackcaps (a male and a female), 3 Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Common Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, and single juvenile Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Also, lots of hirundines early morning ahead of the rain with Sand Martins being most numerous.

(Richard Bailey, Keith Privett, Richard Smith and Murray Wright)

Arrived with family around midday. Didn't look for the Spotted Crake but can add to some the day's totals. I ended up with 4 Little Stint, 2 adults and 2 juvenilles. About 13:30 there was an influx of terns - up to 20 Little Terns were feeding just off the seawall, two groups of Black Tern flew through, 20 up the Swale and 16 up Oare Creek, finally there were 60+ 'Commic' Terns way out in the mouth of the estuary.  

(Jim Bloor)

The Spotted Crake was still present on the West Flood this afternoon, plus 5+ Water Rails and 3 Green Sandpipers. On the Swale: 25 Black Terns flew west, 5 Arcitic Terns flew east - the first Oare record this year, 38 Little Terns were around the slipway,  and 20-30 'Commic' Terns flew inland.

(Chris Gibbard)

August 16th

(06:15-12:45) Mainly grey and overcast, but with some brighter spells and a freshening SSE breeze. Just 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 1 adult Little Stint, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Garganey were on the East Flood when I arrived. On the West Scrape there were 2 juvenile Spotted Redshanks again although they flew off north and appeared to drop along the Swale, plus 4 Green Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 1 Avocet, a few Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Little Egret. The scrub and paddocks were fairly quiet with 1 Willow Warbler, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler and 1 Lesser Whitethroat noted. A Peregrine was on the first pylon east of Faversham Creek. 2 noisy Kingfishers were very active around the sluice. From the Sea Wall hide: 2 Common Sandpipers, 81 Dunlins, 1 Knot, 1 Grey Plover, 43 Ringed Plovers and 17 Curlews. Met Steve Clinch at the slipway. 3 Whimbrel were on the mud to the west of the slipway, plus 10 Common Terns and 21 Common Swifts flew south west. We headed down towards Dan's Dock flushing 7 Common Snipe off of the saltmarsh. On the way a smart Whinchat (a year tick for both of us) was seen in the company of 2 Wheatears. At the Dock itself there were 4 more Whearears. We continued on to Uplees where there were a further 2 Wheatears, plus a Sparrowhawk, and on the mud single Grey Plover and Whimbrel. Steve tried stringing the American Golden Plover while looking across the Swale to the east of Spit End and we walked a bit further east along the sea wall, but the bird was just too far away and the AGP was seen shortly afterwards at Conyer. We headed back east. At around 10:45 a movement on one of the pools on the West Flood caught my eye. I was expecting a wader, but through the scope and partially obscured in the rushes I thought it was last Monday's immature Water Rail again until it turned and I could see its head - a Spotted Crake! It promptly disapeared into the vegetation, however, Steve picked it out again after a couple of minutes and it showed quite well for around 15 mins - the second record for Oare this year following a bird singing for several nights back in June. Some other birders arrived and though we searched for another three-quarters of an hour it didn't reappear. While looking for it we noted 4 Water Rails in the same area - two adults, one well grown immature and one quite small black chick (nice to confirm successful breeding on the reserve this year), plus 4 Garganey and 4 Little Egrets nearby. Back at the East Flood and with the tide now quite high: 3 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Knot, circa 75 Dunlin, 12 Greenshank, circa 400 Golden Plovers, 14 Ringed Plovers, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 400 Redshanks, 3 Garganey and 1 Little Egret. Also lots of hirundines around the reserve this morning mostly Sand Martins, but numbers of Swallows and a few House Martins too - lots feeding up over the reserve, but with birds steadily heading south too. An excellent morning!

(Steve Clinch and Murray Wright)

(14:00-15:00) There were 45+ Little Terns on the East Flood  this afternoon. They were spooked several times and eventually flew east. An excellent count for the flood.

(John Tilbrook)

(17:00-18:40) At low tide on the east flood there were three Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint. There were eight Little Terns feeding along the edge of the Swale off the slipway (earlier it was reported that there were 54 resting on the east flood at high tide). No sign of Spotted Crake on the west flood pools, though I didn't linger, a single Garganey there and several Yellow Wagtails amongst the cattle and one Green Sandpiper in flight. The Whinchat was on the fence along the dyke west of the flood. Later an adult Spotted Redshank flew high east over the east flood and there were six Turtle Doves on the "wires".

(Geoff Burton)

August 15th

At high tide this afternoon and on the East Flood there were: 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Knot,  50+ Dunlin, 13 Greenshank, 270 Golden Plovers and 1000+ Black-tailed Godwits, plus 3 Whimbrel passed high over calling. A brief excursion to the West Flood produced little save for a Water Rail and a Common Snipe. Finally, two groups of Sand Martins, each of about 40 in number, passed through heading west.

(Mike Stevens)

August 14th

(06:15-12:00) A fine, bright and much less breezy morning, the wind being a light SW. On the West Scrape not long after I arrived there were 2 juvenile Spotted Redshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Avocet, a dozen or so Black-Tailed Godwits and 1 Little Egret. The paddocks and scrub opposite the cottages were fairly quiet: 2 Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Common Whitethroats and 1 Willow Warbler (continuing a good run for the species at Oare recently). From the Sea Wall hide there was a good count of 112 Ringed Plovers, plus 23 Curlews, small numbers of Dunlins and Black-tailed Godwits, and flocks of 17, 29, 44 and 13 Common Terns flying west along the Swale and south west inland. 8 Yellow Wagtails were along the foreshore heading back towards the car park. A Peregrine was soaring over Mocketts on Sheppey, plus 4 Kestrels and 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers there. 2 Hobbies were circling over the West Flood. On the East Flood this morning: 4 Little Stints, 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Knot, circa 75 Dunlin, 12 Greenshanks, 5 Ringed Plovers, circa 400 Golden Plovers, 17 Ruff (including the two colour-ringed birds still), circa 800 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 500 Redshanks, 1 Avocet, several Common Snipe, 4 Garganey, 3 Little Egrets, and 1 Common Tern, plus several Yellow Wagtails over (now making up for a fairly poor showing earlier in the summer). Everything on the flood went up as a female Sparrowhawk flew through - quite a sight. One of the Spotted Redshanks flew from the West Scrape and dropped onto the East Flood - a year tick for Mike Stevens who had popped down during a break from decorating. A Small Tortoiseshell along the entrance road was my first of the year (anywhere!), with the same or another reported near the East Hide. Almost as rare at Oare for me was Marc Heath, with (I think) Phil Parker (tentatively i.d.'ed after reference to the Stour Valley sightings for 26th July - similar plumage, but looking much more alert this morning!).

(Murray Wright)

August 13th

(06:15-11:15) A bright and very breezy morning - the wind was a very strong and blustery SW. Cloud building later with the first squally showers starting as I left. The juvenile Spotted Redshank was on the West Scrape first thing with 1 Avocet, several Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Little Egrets. 8 Little Egrets were on the West Flood. In the paddocks there was 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Common Whitethroats and 1 Turtle Dove, plus a Kingfisher zipped through and a Sparrowhawk flew east over the cottages. The East Flood was busy again as high tide approached: 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 3 adult Little Stints, 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank (same as noted on West Scrape earlier), 13 Knot including several juveniles, up to 60 Dunlins, 4 Ringed Plovers, 346 Golden Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 16 Greenshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel which dropped in for twenty minutes before flying south, circa 800 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 500 Redshanks, 1 Avocet, 5 Garganey, 3 Common Terns (two adults and a juvenile), circa 300 Black-headed Gulls, 131 Coot, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Kingfisher, plus several Yellow Wagtails. A juvenile Little Owl was in the hedge along the bottom of the cottage gardens again.

(Murray Wright)

August 12th

(16:00-17:00) Well that blew the cobwebs away! When my 'scope and I were not being buffeted by high winds I managed to discern the following on the East Flood: 4 Garganey, 5 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 15 Knot, 1 Greenshank, 12 Ruff, 5 Common Snipe, in the region of 700 Black-tailed Godwits, plus Lapwing numbers have increased considerably. I made a foolhardy attempt to walk to the Sea Wall hide, but quickly gave up the unequal struggle having noted that there was nothing on the mudflats save for a large number of Black-headed Gulls and nothing on the water. From all accounts the wind tomorrow will be even stronger, which will probably put paid to my usual Wednesday cycling appointment!

(Mike Stevens)
 

The picture below of a Whimbrel was taken from the Sea Wall hide today by Steve Ashton.

August 11th

(07:15-11:30) An overcast morning with a lighter and fresh SW wind. Met Steve Clinch and Mike Roser along the entrance road. A juvenile Spotted Redshank on the East Flood was my first of the autumn. Also on the flood this morning: the Garganey 'flock' had grown to 6, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 3 adult Little Stints, a juvenile Knot, 20 Dunlin, 12 Greenshank, 14 Ruff and 2 Reeves, 136 Golden Plovers, circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 250 Redshanks, 2 Avocets, several Common Snipe, 2 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets and a Yellow Wagtail. A juvenile Little Owl was in the hedge at the back of cottage gardens. A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the paddocks, plus 2 Yellow Wagtails flew over, and Mike saw a Kingfisher nearby. A second Kingfisher flew out from under the sluice. 7 Common Swifts were following the line of the pylons heading west. A Cetti's Warbler sang once near the Sea Wall hide - the first I've heard this month. A flock of circa 75 Curlews flew east along the Swale. 5+ Yellow Wagtails and a dozen or so Meadow Pipits were on the foreshore/sea wall heading back to the car park. 1 Whimbrel and 2 adult Common Gulls were on the mud west of the slipway. An immature Water Rail showed well on one of the pools still visible on the West Flood, plus 5 Little Egrets and 2 Yellow Wagtails. The 2 Wheatears were still at Dan's Dock. Mike headed on to Uplees from where he saw a third Wheatear, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits including three smart summer plumage males, and a Common Buzzard and a female Marsh Harrier over Mocketts Hill on Sheppey being mobbed by a pair of Kestrels.

(Mike Roser and Murray Wright)

August 10th

(05:45-11:30) A grey and damp start, but the cloud was soon blown away by the strong SW wind to leave a bright and sunny morning. Met Geoff Burton near the East Hide. 17 Little Egrets were on the West Flood first thing. A fairly low high tide meant there were again not as many birds on the East Flood as earlier last week, but a lot of the birds still remained when I left around 4 hours after high tide. The following were noted: 3 Garganey, 3 adult Little Stints, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper (Richard Smith had two later), 2 Green Sandpipers, 7 Greenshanks, circa 20 Dunlin, 3 Knot (two still in summer plumage), 226 Golden Plovers, circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 400 Redshanks, 3 Avocets , 2 Common Terns and several Yellow Wagtails. Not a lot of note in the paddocks and scrub opposite the cottages: 1 Willow Warbler, several Common Whitethroats and Reed Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers and a Fox, plus a Kingfisher hovered briefly over a ditch nearby. A walk down to Dan's Dock was a bit hard going in the strong SW wind: 2 Wheatears were still at the dock and up to 5 Yellow Wagtails were on the saltmarsh on the journey back. 2 more Yellow Wagtails were along the entrance road. Of non-avian interest a few Red Admirals and Common Blues were seen today amongst the Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers, plus a Migrant Hawker posing nicely, and 9 Common Seals were on Horse Sands.

(Murray Wright)

August 9th

(05:45-11:00) A bright and sunny start, but with cloud gathering on the strengtening SW wind. Made a circuit of the reserve with John Pymm. A few less birds on the East Flood over high tide this morning: 2 Garganey, 5 adult Little Stints (mainly feeding close to the road), 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Knot, circa 30 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Greenshanks, 228 Golden Plovers, 1 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Avocets, circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 250 Redshanks and 4 Little Egrets, plus several Yellow Wagtails around the flood. A few Swallows and Sand Martins were moving south. No sign of the Redstart in the paddocks, just 1 Willow Warbler, several Common Whitethroats and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, plus 2 Green Sandpipers flew west. 9 juvenile Bearded Tits were in the reeds along Faversham Creek. 3 Whimbrel were on the mud around the slipway. A walk down to Dan's Dock was fairly uneventful except for 2 Wheatears around the dock itself. My 151st visit this year and 151 species seen so far!

(John Pymm and Murray Wright)

August 8th

(05:30-08:15) Overcast with some light showers of rain on the gusty WNW breeze. Only time for a quick visit this morning. 32 Little Egrets flew west over the reserve with most dropping onto the West Flood for a change. The Starlings left their roost at 05:53 with many settling around the East Flood. Met Steve and Mike. On the East Flood we noted: 2 Garganey, 5 Little Stints, 3 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 16 Greenshanks, 4 Knot, 17 Dunlins, 2 Grey Plovers, 122 Golden Plovers, 1 male Bar-tailed Godwit, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 400 Redshanks, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Avocets, an adult Mediterranean Gull and 5 Little Egrets. Time for a quick look in the paddocks and we were joined by Julian Russell. Virtually the first bird to appear was the male Redstart which showed well if briefly - a year tick for Julian. 1 Willow Warbler, several Whitethroats and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker were also seen. I departed and Mike stayed on until 13:00:- "As I walked to the Sea Wall hide a Kingfisher flew out from the sluice and 8 juv Bearded Tits showed themselves despite the ever increasing wind. From the hide I noted 39 Common Terns heading upstream - a group of 33 and another group of ....er...6. Also a group of 18 Curlew crossed the water to the Horse Sands. Kevin and I went Redstart hunting which was, perhaps, always a forlorn hope given the strength of the wind and the driving rain that started almost as soon as we plonked our scopes down. On the East Flood just prior to my departure, 3 Little Stint remained showing well close to the viewing pull-in together with a Dunlin which made a useful size comparator. A Wheatear was reported on fields just west of the road."
(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

August 7th

(05:30-11:30) Overcast and humid with light rain on and off and only a very light W wind. Brighter later. I arrived early to catch the back end of high tide. Plenty of birds on the East Flood first thing, but the waders were already starting to go back out to the Swale from 06:00 onwards. Over the course of the morning the following were noted: 2 Garganey, 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, circa 30 Dunlin, 23 Greenshanks, 4 Knot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover, up to 1000 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 500 Redshanks, 23 Little Egrets first thing, 1 adult Common Gull and circa 400 Black-headed Gulls. At 05:57 the  Starlings left their roost in the reeds at the east end of the flood - an estimated 2000 birds. Steve Clinch, who had been down for an hour pre-work, left at 07:40 and I went to check the overgrown paddocks from the path to the West Hide. A bird popped up onto the fence and I was pleased to see it was a male Redstart - I managed to scope it before it disappeared and then got another short view a few minutes later. I texted Steve and he quickly returned just as the bird reappeared and showed well for a couple of minutes, allowing me to get a record shot. I guess it was the same bird Geoff saw on Tuesday. Only my second at Oare too - the first was some time in the mid 1990's (afraid my note keeping/memory isn't as good as Geoff's!), so a good bonus for the year list. Unfortunately Mike Stevens arrived about a minute too late to see it and it didn't reappear in the next hour. Also noted in the paddocks and scrub: 3 Willow Warblers (one bird singing occasionally), 2+ Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Common Whitethroats, several Reed and Sedge Warblers, 6 Long-tailed Tits, juvenile Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, a Sparrowhawk flew through, and a Little Owl was calling but not seen. Me and Mike made a circuit of the East Flood. Bearded Tits were performing well around the flood with at least 7 juveniles and 1 adult male seen, and there were several Yellow Wagtails around the sea wall. From the Sea Wall hide: 30 Curelws, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Grey Plovers, plus a Great Crested Grebe on the Swale. 2 Whimbrel were on the  mud west of the slipway and three more flew south west. 2 Green Sandpipers and a few Common Snipe were on the West Scrape. Back at the paddocks at around 11:00 and after a 'tense' 15 minute wait the Redstart reappered and showed quite well for 5 minutes or so - an Oare tick for Mike!

(Murray Wright)

(14:30-15:45) Two parties of 15 and 22 Whimbrel flew high west this afternoon.

(Mark Hollingworth)

(19:00-20:45) The tide had already started to go out as we arrived. Mostly Black-headed Gulls on the mud flats as it receded, but picked up 1 Common Tern sitting on the "red cap" on top of the two smaller posts on the furthest left hand side of the slipway. Black-tailed Godwits on both the East Flood and the west side of the road. 5 Grey Herons one of which was a juvenile and feeding on the East Flood next to the road as was one of the 4 or 5 Little Egrets. Lapwings dotted here and there. The flock of Starlings came together as the evening drew on, but not much in the way of synchronized wheeling more random chaos. Several Redshank, 2 Ruff and pleasing to us 5 Little Stints and 1 Green Sandpiper all on the East Flood. Assorted waterfowl including Mallard and Shoveler. Our most enjoyable time, however, was watching the Little Grebe feeding her three offspring along the small East Flood channel next to the road (we had seen her sitting on circa three eggs a few weeks back).

(John and Liz Pell)

August 6th

(06:30-11:00) Mainly cloudy this morning, but with some nice sunny spells and hot and humid with a light S wind. I had a good look for Geoff's Redstart again, but no joy. However, in the paddocks and scrub opposite the cottages there were at least 4 Willow Warblers including one bird singing well, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Common Whitethroats, a juvenile Blackcap, 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker and 1 Turtle Dove on the wires. A juvenile Little Owl was in the trees behind the cottages. On the East Flood there were 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers amongst the several hundred Black-tailed Godwits, plus 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 12 Ruff, 2 Whimbrels flew south west, 1 Garganey, 3 Little Egrets and 1 Kingfisher. A Peregrine was on the Nagden pylons. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 37 Curlews were counted from the Sea Wall hide, and a flock of 32 Ringed Plovers were roosting on the mud to the east of the slipway, with 2 Whimbrels to the west.

(15:00-17:00) I returned at high tide to see what else might come in. As I arrived a flock of 28 Whimbrel were circling over the Swale before drifting west. On the East Flood: 2 Garganey, 1 Little Stint, 3 adult Curlew Sandpipers, circa 25 Dunlin, 8 summer plumage Knot, 1 Turnstone, 20 Greenshank, 156 Golden Plovers, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits and circa 400 Redshanks. No sign of the Purple Sandpiper today. A Green Sandpiper was on the small pool west of the pull-in.

(Murray Wright)

August 5th

(05:40-11:00) Cloudy with light rain at times. Arrived about two hours after high tide, there were about 700 Black-tailed Godwits on the east flood but small waders were limited to two Curlew Sandpipers and two Dunlin. There were 13 Ruff on the flood, including two Reeves but none flagged, ten Little Egrets and, eventually, the three Garganey were located again. Opposite the cottages, there were both juvenile Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff and ten Turtle Doves (nine on the wires over the fields). There were three Green Sandpipers on the west side in the roadside pools. Raptors included a Sparrowhawk over the west side and a Peregrine on the pylon over the new acquisition. A walk up to Dan's Dock produced little but another two Turtle Doves over towards the Uplees copse. At 10:30, it was raining and I was ready to go. However, I decided to check the scrub up by the cottages to see whether anything had dropped in because of the showers. Looking up at the cottages roof, I was pleased to see a cock Redstart on one of the chimney pots where it remained for about 30 seconds before dropping doen behind the cottages; by late afternoon at least it had not been seen again. I last saw one here in 1989!

(15:35-17:30) I decided to pay a second visit at high tide for the waders and to see whether any other migrant passerines had arrived. As I drove through the village, Murray rang to say that there was a "weird" wader on the east flood. Apparently, Dave Perrin had found it and alerted other birders present. It was slightly bigger than a Dunlin and a very dark bird indeed. After, some discussion and resort to the field guides, it dawned on us that it was a summer plumage Purple Sandpiper which none of us had seen it that plumage; extremely early and in atypical habitat. This was a new bird for me for this site; my first addition this year! Not a bad day!!

(Geoff Burton)

August 4th

(13:15-16:00) A lot of heavy cloud this afternoon with a few spots of rain as I left, but some nice sunny spells too. A brisk W wind was blowing. Thought I'd pop down for an afternoon visit for a change to coincide with high tide. Lots of birders on the reserve this afternoon! On the East Flood: 3 Garganey, 4 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 1 adult Little Stint (Mike Roser had four this morning), circa 15 Dunlins, 1 summer plumage Knot, 1 Turnstone, 7 Greenshanks plus a very vocal flock of 34 circling the reserve for some time before heading west, 1 Whimbrel plus several flying over west, 51 Golden Plovers, 16 Ruff (including the colour-ringed Dutch bird with the blue flag still) and 1 Reeve, circa 400 Redshank, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank reported earlier, 7 Common Terns plus flocks of 16, 22, 5, 25 and 8 flying W/SW, and 2 Hobbies circled over before drifting north. Two small waders with prominent white wing-bars flew in from the Swale at circa 15:15 and landed amongst the other waders - 2 moulting adult Sanderlings! They stayed for circa a minute until the godwits got a bit spooked by something and the Sanderlings flew off west. Birds of the day (for me!) - always a good year tick at Oare (un-recorded in 2007). A Green Sandpiper was on the pool west of the pull-in. A Peregrine mobbed a Marsh Harrier over Castle Coote.  An immature Kittiwake flying west along the Swale was only my third for the year.

(Murray Wright)

An Osprey flew south along Faversham Creek at circa 17:30.

(Kevin Duvall)

August 3rd

(05:45-09:00) 2 Willow Warblers were in the hedgerow bordering the southern edge of the reserve from the path to the West Hide.

(Stuart Goodwin)

(06:15-12:15) A grey and overcast morning with steady drizzle and light rain on the blustery SW wind. Drier and a bit brighter later. Met Geoff Burton along the entrance road and we made a circuit of the East Flood. On the flood early on there were: 3 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, several Ruff, 3 Avocets, a few Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Little Egrets. A juvenile Stonechat was around the horse paddocks, plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers and a Reed Warbler there. A brief snatch of Willow Warbler song was heard near the cottages with the same or another bird seen just to the south. Several Common Whitethroats were picking around ears of wheat in the fields nearby, and 4 Turtle Doves were on the power lines to the west. A Kingfisher zipped west along the southern edge of the flood, and a Lesser Whitethroat was in the bushes near the East Hide. Sheltering from the rain in and around the Sea Wall hide we noted: 3 Little Terns (two adults and a juvenile) in and around the mouth of Faversham Creek, plus 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 13 Grey Plovers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, and 30 Curlews on the mud. Small numbers of Swifts were moving west all morning, plus a few Swallows and Sand Martins. 2 Whimbrel were west of the slipway. 3 Green Sandpipers and 2 Common Snipe were on the West Scrape. Back at the East Flood Geoff picked out 3 Garganey before he had to leave at 10:30. I stayed until 12:15. Up to 300 Black-tailed Godwits   and circa 300 Redshanks came onto the flood, plus 3 Common Snipe over, 4 Dunlins, 4 Greenshank and 16 Ruff and 1 Reeve noted, and a Hobby made a brief chase after a Starling before continuing west. Finally a Peregrine appeared on the pylons to the east of the creek.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

2 adult Curlew Sandpipers reported on the East Flood mid-afternoon.

August 2nd

(06:30-13:30) Mainly grey and overcast with a brisk SSW breeze and a little light rain later. When I arrived, at about low tide, there were just 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, a few Ruff, 20 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Little Egrets on the East Flood. 2 Lesser Whitethroats were in the paddocks and 2 Turtle Doves and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the trees opposite the cottages. From the Sea Wall hide there were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew and 7 Little Egrets. A pair of Peregrines were on the Nagden pylons. 4 Yellow Wagtails were along the sea wall heading back towards the car park. 3 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew and 3 adult Common Gulls were on the mud west of the slipway. A Chiffchaff was singing from the bushes around the car park.  2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Common Snipe were on the West Scrape. Heading back to the East Flood with the tide coming in quickly there was now much more to see: 1 Garganey, 5 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 3 adult Little Stints, circa 25 Dunlin (including several juveniles), 3 adult Knot (two in faded summer plumage), 16 Ruff and 1 Reeve, 16 Greenshank, circa 500 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plovers, 31 Golden Plovers (plus circa 60 more flew west), circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Avocets, a juvenile Black Tern came in from the Swale circled a few times and headed off east, 2 adult Sandwich Terns, 6 Common Terns, several hundred Black-headed Gulls, 3 Little Egrets and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

(Murray Wright)