Oare Marshes Latest Sightings (July)

Adult Spoonbill (A Swandale)

To help keep this page up-to-date please email your sightings to tony.swandale@kentwildlife.co.uk.  Thank you.

The adult Spoonbill has been recorded almost every day since 25th June, usually on the East Flood.

Resident Species in the general area at the moment include:  Little Egret, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Water Rail, Little Tern, Bearded Reedling, Corn Bunting

July 27th

There were 2 Garganey on the East Flood early in the morning but they could not be relocated later in the day.   The Spoonbill was feeding energetically near the road before spending the rest of the day asleep!   At high tide late in the afternoon there were 14 adult Curlew Sandpipers and 15 Knot in summer plumage.  Also today 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a single Turnstone, 5 Common Terns and a Hobby.  An adult Water Rail was visible on the West Flood.

July 26th

In contrast to yesterday, only 1 Curlew Sandpiper at high tide and no Little Stints.  A total of 1354 Black-tailed Godwits were counted today, a new record for the reserve.

July 25th

This afternoon the tide was at its highest all month. During "Spring" high tides, more waders roost inland of the sea wall because a greater area of mudflats and saltings is under water.   

There were at least 87 Curlew Sandpipers on the East Flood and a flock of c50+ seen departing to the south appeared to be a different group.  This is an exceptional number for the time of year and may be the result of birds grounded by rain overnight.  As you would expect, this first wave of Curlew Sandpipers consisted of adults, many in summer plumage and only a couple of individuals in winter plumage (juveniles normally migrate later in the year). 

Also on the East Flood this afternoon:  3 juvenile Little Stints, 11 Greenshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 33 Avocets, c300 Dunlin, c200 Redshanks, c1200 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 or 7 Ruff, 1-2 adult & 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel and the Spoonbill.

N.B.   The highest tides in August will be around the 22nd!

July 23rd

At high water this afternoon: Spoonbill, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Greenshanks, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Ruff, 750 Black-tailed Godwits, 135 Dunlin, 32 Avocets, 33 Whimbrel flying over, Marsh Harrier & Sparrowhawk

July 21st

Spoonbill, 2 or 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Greenshanks, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstones, 5 Snipe, 14+ Ruff, c800 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Water Rails, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers, Bearded Reedling, juvenile Little Owl and 2 singing Corn Buntings

July 20th

Spoonbill, 43 Avocets, 1 Whimbrel, 250 Dunlin, single Wigeon, 4 green Sandpipers on the south east scrape

July 18th

A good number of waders were on the east flood at low tide including 23 Avocets, just 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Dunlin, 102 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrels over, 6 Ruff and 4 Knot. The Spoonbill was still present and there was a Little Owl near the western boundary of the reserve in the afternoon.

July 14th

Spoonbill, 2 Greenshanks, 8+ Ruff, Green Sandpiper

July 11th

In the afternoon a flock of 30 Whimbrel left the mudflats as the tide came in, circled the reserve and flew south west, followed by another group of 10 individuals.  Waders numbers continue to increase with approximately 500 Black-tailed godwits, 4 Greenshanks, 45 Avocets and 8 Ruff on the reserve today. Still also at least 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 1 or 2 singing Corn Buntings.

6th July

The Spoonbill was roosting and feeding on the East Flood again with 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Greenshank and 2 Ruff.  There were also 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover and 4 Ruff on the West Flood, a singing Corn Bunting and at least 2 calling Water Rails.

5th July

A Long-eared Owl was seen perched on a fence post near the west hide until around 0830.  The adult Spoonbill was on the East Flood once again with 3 Spotted Redshanks.  There is still at least one Peregrine in the general area.

4th July

Adult Spoonbill again

3rd July

A good selection of returning waders today - 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Knot and 2 Whimbrel.  Also at least 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Avocets, 4 Stonechats (2 adults and 2 juveniles) and a Corn Bunting singing continuously near the car park.

2nd July

The adult Spoonbill was present again