Oare Marshes Latest Sightings
December 2007
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Kent Wildlife Trust
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Reporting Your Sightings
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Species List for 2007
To view the complete list of species recorded so far this year please click here.
186 species have been recorded in the area so far this year
December 28
(10.00-13.00) Regrettably no Twites, just a Grey Plover on the Slipway, with Redshanks all around. A nice pair of Stonechats were patrolling their territory along the west side of the road from the car park back towards the hides. Despite gusting winds, which "moved" the West Hide in a not so gentle swaying motion, there were nice groups of the usual suspects from the East Hide: Black-Tailed Godwits, Pintails, Coots, Lapwings, Teal, Widgeon, a single Cormorant, Mallard, the "unusual" Graylag & friend, Little Grebe etc. From the Sluice to the Seawall Hide I saw a few Redshanks, circa 15 Curlew scattered around the length of the Creek (mostly on the far side). From the Seawall Hide (the tide hadn't reached the mud): there were a group of circa 40 Avocets - on the far bank Shelduck and further out & round circa 1000 Brent Geese. Along the Seawall back to the Slipway, was followed and led by a nice quartering male Kestrel and, upon reaching the Slipway, several Reed Buntings (both M & F) moved along the shoreline from the east side over the Slipway to the west side. Because of the gusting wind and light, I elected not to take my telephoto/zoom, so no photos this time I'm afraid.
(John Pell)
(11.00-14.15) E Flood (high tide approaching) 3 Ruff c250 Black Tailed Godwits, 3 Bar Tailed Godwits, 36 Pintail, 115 Golden Plovers, 5 Avocets.
Mockett's Hill area: Several Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Harris Hawk.
Sea Wall + Sea Wall Hide: 50 Avocets, 20+ Curlews, a mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover on Horse Sands numbering c 2000 and the slightly odd sight of 2 pairs of Gadwall on the Swale drifting in with the tide. Also there is a leucistic Curlew.
(Mike Stevens)
December 24
An unexpected opportunity arose for me to nip over to the reserve for an hour or so and I was rewarded with prolonged views of a lone Bewick's Swan which I picked up from the Sea Wall Hide, just north of the yellow buoy, making steady progress towards Seasalter. Other than that, on arrival a quick look at the East Flood produced 1 Ruff and 21 Pintail. Numbers of Teal and Wigeon were much reduced. From the slipway there was 1 Turnstone on it, about 30 Dunlin and 9 Bar Tailed Godwits west another 3 Barwits east with a handful of Redshanks, a couple of Curlew and a lone Grey Plover. As the tide came in there were 34 Avocets on what remained of the Creek mudflats above water. Brent Geese on the Swale off Nagden numbered about 900. Altogether there were 12 Great Crested Grebe on the Swale and a large raft of Wigeon. A final scan over the East Flood revealed that as the tide had come in so had c250 Golden Plover although numbers quickly dropped to less than half of that as some sort of disturbance caused everything but the ducks to take to the air. From the pull-in I could count about 40 Black Tailed Godwits but more were more or less out of sight behind the island nearest to the East Hide Glad that I made the effort!
(Mike Stevens)
December 22
07:45 - 11:00: A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting west of the West Hide first thing. A pair of Marsh Harriers were around the West Flood, the male spending a lot of time in the lone elder and calling frequently. The East Flood was still mainly frozen, but on the small ice free patch: 79 Wigeon, 14 Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, 3 Tufted Ducks and 2 Little Grebes, plus around the flood 1 Grey Plover, 29 Redshank, several Snipe, and 18 Black-tailed Godwits flew east. 8 Avocets were along Faversham Creek, plus 3 Little Grebes, and a Kingfisher was fishing from the sluice. A Peregrine was on the pylons east of the creek. A single Little Egret was on the saltmarsh in front of the Sea Wall hide. Circa 400 Brent Geese were on the Swale between the creek and Castle Coote, plus 4 Great Crested Grebes. Several Bearded Tits and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler were in the reeds between the creek and the slipway. 5 Turnstones were roosting on the slipway at high tide. 2 Little Owls were sunning themselves on their usual perch inland from Dan's Dock, plus 3 Rock Pipits were on the saltmarsh there and another Kingfisher was seen nearby. The leucistic Curlew was on the saltmarsh looking towards Uplees - back for another winter. A male Merlin was hunting along the entrance road again.
(Murray Wright)
December 20
Early pm: The Brents that were on the fields (at South Swale) yesterday were on the water/mud between Castle Coote and Faversham Creek. There were six Pintail (four drakes) on the small patch of the east flood that was not frozen along with Teal, Shovelers, Mallard and Coot. Also noted were one Marsh Harrier. One Kestrel, one Peregrine on the pylons, a Snipe, one Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud by the slipway along with Dunlin, Redshanks, Grey Plover, Curlew and Turnstones. 12+ Bearded Tits very active and showing well.
(Chris Fox)
Oare was beautiful; ethereal, except for the endless cacophany of six ”million”
Brents on the mud in the morning. List much as for Chris, but minus the Peregrine, plus a pair of Marsh Harriers and lovely views of a female Merlin.
(Terry Wood)
December 19
1400-1600: A brief stop at the viewing pull-in at the still largely ice-bound East Flood gave me distant views of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Coot and Moorhen - no Pintail and no waders. However a Sparrowhawk across the far side put everything up for a brief period before calm was restored. Next stop, the slipway; one Ringed Plover andone Grey Plover with a handful of Redshank on either side. There was little raptor or any other movement over Sheppey save for some driven pheasant, probably because of the presence of wildfowlers there. So that avenue of pleasure having been cut off, I headed for the Sea Wall Hide. En route a Cetti's Warbler was heard and on the flats in front of the hide were 41 Avocet. Further out several hunreds of Brent Geese were in fine voice. Apart from that I noted 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and dotted around the Swale were at least 15 Great Crested Grebes. Three Marsh Harriers put in an appearance towards Shellness and that was that.
(Mike Stevens)
December 18
A sunny, frosty morning with a freshening easterly wind. The east flood was frozen apart from in the middle where the wildfowl had kept an area free for themselves. 14 Pintail and four Little Grebes were amongst the congregation. 77 Wigeon moved on to the new west scrape. I raptor-watched acros the Swale where a Common Buzzard was perched on a bush west of Mockett's Hill, a ringtail Hen Harrier was being mobbed by crows, a Sparrowhawk shot by, the inevitable Marsh Harriers and the inevitable Harris Hawk were on show and, finally, a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen hunting, hovering high above the ground, moving on and repeating the performance. A Red-throated Diver was close inshore near Dan's Dock, six Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Swale, four Gadwall flew west whilst , in front of the sea wall hide, 66 Avocets had gathered. As I left, three Grey Partridges were in the top field on the right.
(Geoff Burton)
I met up with Geoff halfway along the sea wall to Dan's Dock. Earlier he'd noted a Red-throated Diver on the Swale and a Sparrowhawk and, as I arrived, he pointed out a Common Buzzard perched on a bush at the foot of Mockett Hill. Over the next half hour or so 'Sheppeywatching' produced good views of a Rough Legged Buzzard, numerous Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier (f) and, of course, the Harris Hawk ( no report of Oare Marshes is nowadays complete without reference to the Harris Hawk). I continued to the Uplees copse but apart from a couple of Jays there, further sightings of Marsh Harriers across the water and, on it, good numbers of Great Crested Grebes and a large raft of Wigeon, there was little to be seen. Returning to the Sea Wall Hide, the warden, Kevin, drew my attention to a Skua on the water by the 'Receptive' buoy. It had its rear end towards us which was not entirely helpful but after some deliberation and advice it was positively identified as a juvenile Pomarine Skua. Otherwise, there were 66 Avocets seen on the flats in front of the hide and reports from the East flood confirmed the quick impression I'd got that there was nothing of any great note to be seen there. Later, Geoff advised that on his departure he's seen three Grey Partridges on the arable fields to the right of the road beyond the cottages - the first reported sighting in some months, I think.
(Mike Stevens)
December 16
Between 07:30 - 10:45 today on a crisp December morning: 4 adult Bewick's Swans flew south over the East Flood from Sheppey at 08:25. On the East Flood: 1 female Pochard, a pair of Tufted Ducks and 29 Pintail. An imm. female Merlin was perched in the lone elder on the West Flood for 10 minutes before flying off east and heading across Faversham Creek, plus 2 Marsh Harriers hunting over the west side. A Kingfisher was fishing along the creek from the barges, 44 Avocets were at the mouth of the creek, plus circa 250 Brent Geese on the mud to the east there. 6 Great Crested Grebes on the Swale. 4 Turnstones were feeding at the end of the slipway and 2 Rock Pipits were along the seawall nearby. Also noted this morning: 3 Cetti's Warblers and 2 pairs of Stonechats around the reserve; a Fox was along the entrance road; the Harris's Hawk still on Sheppey around the Harty Ferry Inn.
(Murray Wright)
December 14
(13.30 - 15.45) Bird of the day was a male Hen Harrier, late afternoon over the west side. Otherwise it was a cold and murky day of slim pickings. Along the sea wall there were 2 Turnstones and as I arrived at the sea wall hide 32 Avocets, c50 Dunlins and 5 Curlews flew out of the creek mouth across the Swale. Another 23 Avocets remained and there were 3 RB Mergansers in the creek itself. Towards Castle Coot there were in excess of 1500 Brent Geese and 2 Marsh Harriers put in an appearance over the sea wall by Nagden. There was a pair of Peregrines on a pylon across the creek. At high tide, there were a few waders to be seen on the still icy East Flood; numbers of Dunlin and Black Tailed Godwits flew in took a look around and flew off again. Just 17 Blackwits settled along with 73 Dunlin, 6 Golden Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover and 5 Grey Plovers. 17 Pintails were also present. Finally, Geoff had a Corn Bunting flying over as he made his way back from the Sea Wall Hide to the slipway. (Mike Stevens)
Had a couple of hours at the reserve 11.00 to 13.15. Watched 8 to 10 Bearded Tits from very close range for about 25 mins. It is remarkable how dapper these birds look at this time of year. Very good views of about 50 Avocet on the estuary mud. Whilst watching on the East Flood I saw a large bird briefly fly up from the reeds with a biscuit coloured barred back and crash back into the reeds after a thirty metre flight.. I am 95% sure it was a Bittern. Kingfisher and Stonechats were amongst other sightings which totalled 46 species. (Charles Trollope)
A late afrernoon visit (1400-1555) at high tide. A few waders were roosting on the islands of the east flood including five Grey Plovers and 80 Golden Plovers. A good afternoon for raptors with a male Hen Harrier heading west over both floods, a Sparrowhawk perched in the scrub and a pair of Peregrines on the pylons. There were single Rock Pipits by the sluice and the slipway and a Corn Bunting flew east along the sea wall towards the creek at dusk (Geoff Burton)
December 13
(10.30-16.00) No wind and uninterrupted sunshine however the East flood was for the most part frozen and apart from 2 Ruff and a single Common Snipe, it was wall to wall ducks. For want of something better to do, I counted 480 Teal, 78 Wigeon and 11 Pintail. En route to the Sea Wall Hide, a dozen Bearded Reedlings were showing well and a Kingfisher was toing and froing on the shoreside of the wall. 53 Avocets were feeding in the creek mouth and between Horse Sands and the Sheppey shore there were 1000+ Brent Geese. Otherwise 'seawatching' produced nothing at all. Making my way to Dan's Dock there were 4 Turnstones on the Sea Wall (E) and a Rock Pipit. On the mudflats west of the slipway were small numbers of Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Black Tailed Godwits and just 4 Grey Plovers; a Stonechat preceded me along the western Sea Wall. Scanning Sheppey from Mockett Hill to the prison, Dave Perrin and I had good sightings of a juvenile Rough Legged Buzzard (two occasions), a ringtailed Hen Harrier, the ubiquitous Harris Hawk, numerous Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk. Earlier Dave had also seen a Common Buzzard over Sheppey. (Mike Stevens)
December 11
(09.45-12.00) When I arrived there were just 2 Black Tailed Godwits on the East Flood, 20 Tufted ducks, 17 Pintails, 1 Common Snipe and the usual Shovelers, Wigeon, Teal and Mallards. Although I'd been told that Bearded Reedlings had been very active, I neither heard nor saw any en route to the Sea Wall Hide nor did I hear or see any Cetti's Warblers. Come to think of it that would be true in respect of the Cetti's' for my last 3 or 4 visits. There were a couple of Red Breasted Mergansers near the mouth of the creek and 43 Avocets feeding on the East shore. From the slipway I noted the Harris Hawk over Mockett Hill with a couple of Marsh Harriers - is this an example of a cross species, eternal traingle relationship? I only ask since on every occasion I've seen the Harris Hawk recently it has been accompanied by 2 Marsh Harriers which were seemingly not intent on harrying it. As I departed, with the mud flats covered by the incoming tide there were just short of 200 Black Tailed Godwits, 7 Bar Tailed Godwits, 17 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Stint on the East Flood. I'd seen about 20 Dunlins flying in but for the most part they were out of sight from the viewing pull-in. (Mike Stevens)
On arrival at 2.10, I was told that both Common and Rough-legged Buzzard had been seen across the Swale on Sheppey. I noted a Short-eared Owl circling above a cornfield towards Shellness. On the east flood, there were four Little Stints and ducks included two Gadwall, 26 Pintail and 24 Tufted Ducks. There were four Red-breasted Mergansers in the creek, a Corn Bunting on a bush behind the wall on the far side and, as dusk came, six White-fronted Geese flew up the Swale. A single Turnstone fed by the slipway as the tide receded.
(Geoff Burton)
December 7
(12.30-16.00) On arrival I set out for the West Hide until the warden, Kevin, told me that it was closed and would be so until c. the middle of next week. A decision is to be made as to whether it needs any remedial work. He mentioned that he'd seen a Sparrowhawk earlier over the west side and a Kingfisher by the sluice. A very quick look at the East Flood, revealed c 500 Black Tailed Godwits. And so to the Sea Wall Hide for a good afternoon's seawatching. Fond hope! However en route the Harris Hawk was seen over Mockett Hill with 3 Marsh Harriers. From the Sea Wall Hide there was little of note save 3 RB Mergansers in the mouth of the creek, a Ringtail Hen Harrier towards Shellness and 3 Marsh Harriers in the same area. As I left Geoff arrived but, unusually, he had no more luck than I'd had. As the light faded I met up with him again and just before we headed homeward, a Sparrowhawk crossed the East Flood putting up the considerable number of Lapwings roosting thereon.
(Mike Stevens)
Amongst the duck on the now water-filled east flood (board back in sluice), there were 28 Pintail, 92 Shoveler and 13 Tufted Ducks. Also, 13 Ruff had come in to roost by dusk. There were four Red-breasted Mergansers at the mouth of the creek and a Sparrowhawk flew low over the east flood at dusk with a strange nightjar-like flight.
(Geoff Burton)
December 6
At 08.00 there were numerous Lapwings on the East Flood, about 40 Black Tailed Godwits and not much else. 30 minutes later from the East Hide I counted 400+ BLackwits, 5 Bar Tailed Godwits, 1 Little Stint, 73 Dunlin, 150 Golden Plovers, 81 Redshanks and a Merlin exercising squatters' rights on the far side. Working my way round to the Sea Wall Hide there was a Peregrine Falcon on one of the pylons across the creek. From the Hide itself there was little to be seen save 5 distant Red Breasted Mergansers and a few Great Crested Grebes. Behind the Hide Bearded Reedlings were braving the elements (very stiff breeze and driving rain) but as ever more heard than seen. Along the Sea Wall there was a Stonechat flitting around the rocks and 3 Turnstones. Walking back to the cottages a Water Rail briefly appeared in the road before diving back into the brambles near the entrance to West Hide path.
(Mike Stevens)
December 4
Cloudy, calm at first but with a freshening SW wind, very mild and the high tide was falling. On the east flood, birds included 13 Tufted Ducks, nine Pintail and ten Ruff. As the tide dropped, 51 Avocets flew into the mouth of the creek from their roost on Sheppey. The Swale itself was very quiet with only a handful of Great Crested Grebes on the water, but 20 Greylag Geese flew up the Swale and later, 17 Mute Swans, presumably disturbed from feeding on Nagden Marshes, appeared off the creek, some later going on to the west flood. Over the west flood, a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting, a Merlin was perched in the elder and up to three Marsh Harriers were also present. Two Green Sandpipers got up from the pool calling loudly. A single Fieldfare could be seen towards the Uplees copse from Dan's Dock and the Harris Hawk was perched in bushes on the side of Mocketts Hill. A Kingfisher and a Rock Pipit were around the sluice, a Peregrine was on the pylons over Nagden and two Red-legged Partridges were in the fileds by the approach road.
(Geoff Burton)
December 2
An early morning visit in the hope of beating the oncoming rain. Most notable on the east flood was a flock of 12 Tufted Ducks. On the Swale, there were 21 Avocets in front of the Sea Wall Hide, seven Great Crested Grebes and a Red-breasted Merganser on the water and a Barnacle Goose circled over the Swale before landing on the mud Sheppey side. Nine Linnets were a seen by the hide whilst a Peregrine scythed through the murk over Nagden.
(Geoff Burton)
December 1
A female Merlin at around 2pm. She alighted at various points on the raised banks in the middle of the east flood and made periodic dashes across the marsh, flying about a metre or two above the water and putting the fear of God into not only starlings but also Lapwings, and Golden Plovers.
(Stephen Wood)