Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

February 2007

Kent Wildlife Trust

KWT has an unmissable opportunity to achieve huge gains for wildlife by purchasing a 35 acre extension to this popular reserve. Click here to find out how you can help.

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, at murray_wright8@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Species List for 2007

Below is a list of species recorded in the area so far this year. It includes species seen from Oare e.g. on Sheppey and on the Swale, and those on adjacent areas to the reserve itself e.g. down to Uplees and in the trees and scrub opposite the cottages etc. The species in bold are those added durring the current calendar month.

Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Cormorant, Common Bittern, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Turnstone, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Reedling, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Twite, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting (Y.T.D. 111 species).

Other Wildlife

Mammals: 11 Common Seals on Horse Sands of the 4th, 10 on the 17th; a Weasel was seen near the car park on the 12th.

Amphibians: Marsh Frog croaking on the 25th

Insects:

111 species have been recorded in the area so far this year

February 28th

The 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was reported flying in from the Swale to the West Flood at circa 10:00. Also on the West Flood this morning: good numbers of Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal, plus 54 Pintail, 36 Gadwall, 9 Pochard, 42 Tufted Ducks, 1 Canada Goose and 28 Greylag Geese. On the East Flood: 68 Redshanks, 2 Common Snipe, 4 Pintail and 1 Little Egret. 6 Red-breasted Mergansers (5 males and 1 female) were at the mouth of Faversham Creek, and another female was further upstream.

(Murray Wright)

February 27th

The Slavonian Grebe and Red-necked Grebe were both on the Swale again off of the slipway late morning. Also on the Swale: circa 10 Great Crested Grebes and 7 Red-breasted Mergansers. 101 Avocets were counted around the mouth of Faversham Creek. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Ringed Plovers were around the slipway and a single Turnstone was on the rocks along the seawall to the east. On the West Flood this morning: 33 Pintail, 29 Gadwall, circa 40 Tufted Ducks, 9 Pochard and the 2 Canada Geese again. 6 more Canada Geese flew west along the Swale. On the East Flood: 1 Common Snipe, 6 Pintail, 12 Tufted Ducks and 2 Little Egrets. A Peregrine was on the second pylon east of the creek. Also noted today: Green Sandpiper heard over the west side, 3 Rock Pipits along the seawall and 3 singing Cetti's Warblers.

(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

February 26th

Two Canada Geese on the West Flood this morning were the first reported this year! 19 Pintail were also on the West Flood this morning and a Little Owl was near Dan's Dock. 6 Marsh Harriers noted today - 3 on Sheppey west of Harty Ferry Inn, 2 flying north across the Swale over Horse Sands, and 1 superb male low over the fields behind the East Hide. From the Sea Wall hide: 5 Red-breasted Mergansers (3 males and 2 females) and 3 Ringed Plovers. Mid-afternoon: 42 Redshanks west of the slipway, and 1 Rock Pipit.  

(Mike Stevens)

February 25th

The Red-necked Grebe was on the Swale west of the slipway this morning, plus 8 Great Crested Grebes. A Peregrine was on the pylons and later flew west over the East Flood. A ringtail Hen Harrier was over the fields east of the Harty Ferry Inn on Sheppey. Also noted today: 4 Ringed Plovers on the mud east of the slipway amongst the Dunlin and Redshank, 4 Stonechats, 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and 4 Little Egrets.

(Richard Bailey, Keith Privett and Murray Wright)

February 24th

The 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood again early morning. A female Merlin was perched near Dan's Dock this morning, plus one of the Little Owl's nearby and 2 Grey Partridges flushed from the seawall there. 6 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale. 38 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek and 1 Greenshank was along the creek near the Shipwright's Arms. 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 female Marsh Harrier flew over the East Flood late morning.

(Murray Wright)

February 23rd

No records received.

February 22nd

The Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and drake Common Scoter were all on the Swale again today, ranging between the slipway and Dan's Dock. 1 Little Owl was sheltering behind the usual concrete block near Dan's Dock. 23 Ruff flew low west over the floods at 09:00 and continued on their way. The one-legged Black-tailed Godwit was on the East Flood. 58 Tufted Ducks and 8 Pochard were counted on the West Flood. Only 2 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek, and 3 Greenshanks were along the creek flying down towards the Shipwright's Arms. Also noted today: 1 redhead Red-breasted Merganser, a Sparrowhawk hunting around the East Flood, 15 Pheasants (only one cock) on the west side, 2 Peregrines together on the pylons, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover on the East Flood, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers and a flock of 14 Goldfinches.   

(Geoff Burton)

February 21st

The drake Common Scoter was on the Swale again early morning feeding close in to the near shore looking west from the end of the slipway. The Red-necked Grebe was also still on the Swale this morning, plus 6 Great Crested Grebes and 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser. 46 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek and 1 Peregrine was on the second pylon east of the creek. 1 Little Owl near Dan's Dock.

2 singing Cetti's Warblers and several vocal Water Rails this morning. The Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood again this afternoon, plus 2 Little Stints, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and circa 300 Redshanks.

(David Newman, Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

February 20th

The Red-necked Grebe was on the Swale again all day ranging west of the slipway, plus the drake Common Scoter again, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Great Crested Grebes. The 5 Twite were showing well around the slipway from circa 12:30 - 13:30 before flying west, also 2 Rock Pipits there. On the West Flood this morning: 8 Pochard, 47 Tufted Ducks and circa 100 Wigeon. On the East Flood today: the 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher again this afternoon, 3 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpipers over, 121 Redshank, 8 Pintail, 3 Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks and 1 Little Egret. From the Sea Wall hide around midday: 62 Avocet at the mouth of Faversham Creek, 61 Dunlin, 6 Grey Plover and 1 Turnstone. 2 Little Owls again near Dan's Dock.

(Steve Clinch, Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

February 19th

A drake Common Scoter was on the Swale off of Dan's Dock early morning and the Red-necked Grebe was still present mid-morning drifting west off the slipway. At Uplees copse this morning: 9 Corn Buntings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, plus circa 50 Curlew along the shoreline to the west, and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers between the copse and Dan's Dock. Another Red-breasted Merganser was in the mouth of Faversham creek this afternoon. On the East Flood this afternoon: the 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher again, 152 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 19 Common Snipe, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Black Swan.  A Marsh Harrier was over the West Flood late afternoon with another over Harty Hill on Sheppey.

(Mike Stevens)

February 18th

The Great Northern Diver and Red-necked Grebe were both showing well on the Swale early morning, before both drifting west. On the East flood today: 51 Mute Swans and 1 Black Swan until shortly after dawn only, 1 Little Stint, 1 Greenshank, 6 Pintail, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Egret and a female Marsh Harrier over. On the West Flood: 10 Pochard, 46 Tufted Ducks and 6 Gadwall. The Avocet flock around the mouth of Faversham Creek had risen to 82 birds. A single Red-legged Partridge was noted on the sea wall on the east side of the creek. 2 Little Owls were near Dan's Dock. Also today: 4 Stonechats and 3 singing Cetti's Warblers.

(Murray Wright)

February 17th

The 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood this morning and reported again early afternoon. Also on the East Flood today: 1 Little Stint, 3 Dunlins, 1 Greenshank, circa 150 Redshank, 6 Common Snipe, 7 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck and 2 Little Egrets. On the West Flood this morning: 7 Gadwall, circa 150 Wigeon, 56 Tufted Ducks and a male Sparrowhawk over. The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale again mid-morning between Dan's Dock and Uplees, and this afternoon at 14:50 showing well off of Castle Coote at South Swale east along the Swale: plus 2 drake Red-breasted Mergansers and 8 Great Crested Grebes. At Uplees copse: 1 singing Corn Bunting, 2 Fieldfares, 1 female Merlin and 2 Grey Partridges (1 calling). The 2 Little Owls were on their usual perch near Dan's Dock. 69 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek. Also today: 2 Green Sandpipers over late morning, 4 Rock Pipits along the seawall west of the slipway and 4 singing Cetti's Warblers (including 1 at Uplees copse still). A female Snow Bunting was reported on the East Flood this morning before flying west.

(Mike Roser, Mick Southcott and Murray Wright)

February 16th

The Long-billed Dowitcher was reported on the East Flood and the Great Northern Diver was reported on the Swale off of Dan's Dock.

February 15th

The Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood at circa 09:30, plus 1 Ringed Plover. A Little Owl was perched on one of the blockhouses near Dan's Dock and a drake Red-breasted Merganser was on the Swale nearby. A single Little Egret was on the West Flood. 6 Avocets flew west along the Swale prior to high tide. 2 Cetti's Warblers were near the Sea Wall hide.

(Ben Ring)

February 14th

The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale west of the slipway again this afternoon, plus 3 drake Red-breasted Mergansers, and 13 Ringed Plovers on the mud in front of the Sea Wall hide. On the East Flood today: 1 Green Sandpiper briefley in the puddles just west of the East Hide, 14 Common Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatchers, circa 20 Redshanks, 6 Pintail, 1 female Pochard, 22 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Egret and 1 male Marsh Harrier over. 1 Peregrine was on the pylons. No sign today of the regular 5 Twite nor indeed of the 95(!) Twite reported yesterday evening by other bird news services - perhaps now the rain has stopped they'll all be back tomorrow!

(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

February 13th

The Long-billed Dowitcher was showing well on the East Flood this morning, plus 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Snipe, 12 Pintail, 18 Tufted Ducks and 2 Little Egrets. The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale off the slipway early morning. On the West Flood amongst good numbers of Wigeon and Teal: 4 Pochard, 51 Tufted Ducks and 8 Gadwall. 37 Shelduck were at the mouth of Faversham Creek. The 5 Twite were in the trees at Uplees copse at circa 13:30, plus 2 Fieldfares there. A ringtail Hen Harrier was over Harty Hill on Sheppey.

(Mike Roser and Murray Wright)

February 12th

The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale heading into the mouth of Faversham Creek this afternoon, and the Slavonian Grebe was mid-channel with 8 Great Crested Grebes and 2 drake Red-breasted Mergansers. A Merlin flew across the Swale from Sheppey. Circa 800 Lapwings were on the East Flood. The 5 Twite were seen on the wires near the car park. Also, 2 Marsh Harriers (a male and female) this afternoon.

(Mike Roser)

February 11th

The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale west of Dan's Dock this morning and the Red-necked Grebe was reported further west along the Swale. 3 Little Stints were on the mud just west of the slipway. 2 Peregrines (appear to be an adult male and adult female) were on the the second pylon east of Faversham Creek again late morning. 3 Bearded Reedlings were along the path to the West Hide and 26 Tufted Ducks were on the West Flood. On the East Flood: a Green Sandpiper flew over early morning, 16 Pintail, 20 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Egrets and 2 male Marsh Harriers over. 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Swale. A Cetti's Warbler was singing by the car park and Water Rail was heard.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

February 10th

The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale again this morning west of the slipway and ranging down as far as Uplees. The Red-necked Grebe was on the Swale down towards Spitend at Elmley. Also on the Swale this morning: 15 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers. 2 Fieldfares were in Uplees copse and 10 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the mud there. The 5 Twite were seen dropping into the saltmarsh at Dan's Dock mid-morning and 1 Little Owl was nearby. 9 Little Gulls (8 adults and 1 imm.) flew east along the Swale at 11:35. The Long-billed Dowitcher was reported on the East Flood early afternoon. Also on the East Flood today: 12 Pintail, 1 Pochard, 18 Tufted Ducks (plus 26 on the West Flood) and 2 Little Egrets. 2 Peregrines were together on the second pylon to the east of Faversham Creek, and a Greenshank was along the creek. 4 Rock Pipits were noted along the seawall. The Slavonian Grebe was also reported on the Swale again today.

(Steve Clinch, Chris Gibbard and Murray Wright)

February 9th

The 5 Twite were seen just east of the slipway this morning before flying off west. The Great Northern Diver was on the Swale down towards Dan's Dock, plus 12 Red-breasted Mergansers. A Fieldfare was in Uplees copse and a female Merlin flew over there. A Little Owl was on its usual perch near Dan's Dock. 6 Pintail were on the East Flood and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit was on the mud east of the slipway.

(Mike Stevens)

February 8th

The Red-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe were both still present on the Swale from the slipway late morning, plus 10 Great Crested Grebes. On the East Flood today: 3 Common Snipe and a female Marsh Harrier over. A male Bearded Tit was showing well near the Sea Wall hide, and a flock of 24 Meadow Pipits were around the East Hide. On the mud prior to high water late afternoon: 1 Little Stint west of the slipway, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Ringed Plover, and 207 Dunlin between the slipway and Sea Wall hide. 13 Avocet were at the mouth of Faversham Creek.

(Mike Stevens)  

February 7th

The Red-necked Grebe and the Slavonian Grebe were both on the Swale again this morning between the slipway and Dan's Dock. Also, on the Swale this morning several Great Crested Grebes and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers. The 5 Twite were seen in flight over the west side early morning. The 2 Little Owls were showing well near Dan's Dock. 2 Peregrines flew over the East Flood and out across the Swale towards Sheppey. A male Hen Harrier was hunting over the East Flood this morning, and a male Merlin was perched in the Elder bush on the West Flood before flying off over the flood. On the mainly frozen East Flood today: 8 Common Snipe, 56 Mute Swans (plus 3 on the West Flood) and 1 Black Swan roosting until shortly after dawn when they headed off towards Nagden, 26 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret and 2 Marsh Harriers over. A Greenshank was along Faversham Creek and 32 Avocets were at the mouth of the creek. Also around the reserve today: 4 Bearded Reedlings near the Sea Wall hide, 2 singing Cetti's warblers, Water Rail heard, 4 Stonechats and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees opposite the cottages.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

February 6th

The Great Northern Diver, the Red-necked Grebe and the Slavonian Grebe were all on the Swale again this morning between the slipway and Dan's Dock. The 5 Twite were still by the slipway early morning and reported again early afternoon. 1 Little Owl was sunning itself this morning near Dan's Dock. A Greenshank was along Faversham Creek and 2 Peregrines were on a pylon to the east of the creek. 1 Little Stint was on the mud west of the slipway and circa 150 Dunlin were on the mud to the east. On the East Flood today: the Long-billed Dowitcher reported, 1 injured Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Common Snipe, 16 Pintail and 1 Little Egret.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

February 5th

A Great Northern Diver was on the Swale west of the slipway this morning, plus the Red-necked Grebe, several Great Crested Grebes and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers.

4 Twite were reported by the slipway again early morning, with 5 early afternoon west along the saltings. 2 Green Sandpipers were over the west side early morning. Circa 1800 Golden Plovers, good numbers of Lapwings and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the mud at Uplees, and 3 Fieldfares were in Uplees copse. On the East Flood today: the Long-billed Dowitcher again, 3 Little Stints, 1 Dunlin, 1 injured Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Common Snipe, 4 Pintail, 27 Tufted Ducks (plus 20 on the West Flood) and 2 Little Egrets. 1 Little Owl was near Dan's Dock and 3 Rock Pipits were along the sewall. The leucistic Curlew again on the sheep fields. Also, a Jack Snipe reported again on the East Flood this afternoon.

(Geoff Burton, John Hinton, Paul King, John Pell, Liz Pell, Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

February 4th

The 5 Twite were by the slipway early morning, and seen mainly in flight around Dan's Dock at around lunchtime before heading towards the West Flood. The Red-necked Grebe was on the Swale west of the slipway this morning, gradually drifting west, plus a Red-throated Diver (which flew east out of the Swale at circa 09:30), several Great Crested Grebes and 2 redhead Red-breasted Mergansers. The Slavonian Grebe was seen from Dan's Dock at 12:45 also drifting west along the Swale. A Greenshank was on the mud at the confluence of Faversham and Oare creeks mid-morning. The leucistic Curlew was seen on Horse Sands this morning and later at Dan's Dock. The Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood again today plus: 2 Little Stints, 25 Common Snipe, 10 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 32 Tufted Duck (plus 27 on the West Flood), 32 Mute Swans and 1 Black Swan at dawn only before flying off towards Nagden, 2 Little Egrets and 1 female Marsh Harrier over. 2 Peregrines could be seen on the third pylon east of Faversham Creek and 59 Avocets were counted at the mouth of the creek. The 2 Little Owls were near Dan's Dock this morning and a ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting near Uplees early afternoon. Also noted today: Water Rail heard, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, several Bearded Reedlings near the Sea Wall hide, up to 5 Rock Pipits along the seawall, and 4 Stonechats.

(Richard Bailey, David Burt, Janet Burt, Neil Burt, Keith Privett and Murray Wright)

February 3rd

A Slavonian Grebe drifted west along the Swale off of Dan's Dock with 6 Great Crested Grebes at circa 10:15. The 5 Twite were in the copse at Uplees early morning, then flew over and dropped into the saltmarsh at Dan's Dock mid-morning, and were later back by the slipway around midday. A male Hen Harrier flew west over the saltmarsh to the west of the Watch House late morning. On the East Flood today: the 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher again, 2 Little Stints, 32 Common Snipe, a Jack Snipe reported, 9 Pintail, 4 Gadwall, 36 Tufted Duck, 26 Mute Swans at sunrise and 2 Little Egrets. On the West Flood this morning: 15 Tufted Duck, 96 Greylag Geese and 4 Mute Swans. The 2 Little Owls were sitting out enjoying the sun near Dan's Dock again this morning. 59 Avocets were counted at the mouth of Faversham Creek this morning. Also today: circa 50 Curlew were on the sheep fields, 4 Rock Pipits along the seawall, and 2 singing Cetti's Warblers.

(Robin Mace, Mick Southcott, and Murray Wright)

February 2nd

The 5 Twite flew high overhead heading for Sheppey at 08:00, but were on the slipway again at circa 10:00 and showing well. The 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was on the East Flood at high tide. Also on the East Flood today: 1 Little Stint, 46 Tufted Duck (plus 18 on the West Flood), 2 Pochard, and a Common Buzzard flew over high south-east at circa 10:30. The adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen at the confluence of the two creeks before flying inland along Oare Creek. 1 Peregrine was on the pylons. 2 Green Sandpipers flew east over the entrance road. 68 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek. Circa 80 White-fronted Geese were noted circling over the fields west of Capel Fleet on Sheppey. A Little Owl was near Dan's Dock again.

(Geoff Burton and Marc Heath)

February 1st

The 5 Twite were by the slipway this morning and again later in the afternoon. 2 Little Stints were on the East Flood. 2 Little Owls were near Dan's Dock again, and a third was on the telegraph poles along the entrance road in the evening. 4 Rock Pipits were west of the slipway. 1 Peregrine was on the pylons. The leucistic Curlew was on the West Flood this morning and 114 Greylag Geese were there at dusk. Also reported today: at least 6 Stonechats, 3 singing Cetti's Warblers (including one at Uplees), a Jay in the copse at Uplees, and 2 Knot and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the mudflats this afternoon.

(Geoff Burton, Richard Drew, John Pell, Liz Pell and Mike Roser)