Daily Log (June)


Highlights

28th June

More Black-tailed Godwit news! Again courtesy of Dylan and www.planetthanet.org

These are the details that Dylan received from Jos Hooijmeijer, Project Coordinator in Holland:

"The bird is an adult summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit of the race limosa. It was ringed "on the nest" Spring 2004, at Workum in Friesland (North Holland). This project has just started and is looking at population dynamics of the waders that have populations that also breed in the high arctic. Disease susceptibility and genetic profiles are causing concern, thus providing the driver for this extended study."

Dylan hasn't got the exact details for this bird, but was informed that another individual from this project was found in France on the same date. Dispersal from the breeding grounds is likely to be better understood with the commencement of this colour marking scheme.

27th June

Little Terns 3 (Flying in front of the visitors centre at the waters edge. 3.15pm)

Cuckoo Calling but not showing Greenshank 1 (East flood. 12.30pm)

Black Swan 2 (West Flood)

 

22nd June

Immature Peregrine, 2 Ruff in breeding plumage, 700 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper in Faversham Creek. 2 Little Owls were seen perched on a concrete bunker.

Ruff - Dylan Wrathall

I have just received this fascinating information courtesy of Dylan Wrathall and www.planetthanet.org

These colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits were photographed by Dylan on 16th June on the East scrape. Information concerning both individuals was provided by Dr. Jenny Gill (University of East Anglia).

The first bird was ringed as a "chick" on 07.07.03 at Mosfell, Grimsnes. S-Iceland. (64 08N 20 36W) It was subsequently seen at Baie du St. Michel, France on 07.12.03 (no co-ordinates) but not encountered again until being seen at Oare on 16.06.04.

The second bird, interestingly, is an "icelandica" race bird and not part of the Nene/Ouse Washes population which are nominate "limosa" birds. Jenny is only in possession of the ringing info because the rings were put on in England.

The bird was ringed at Terrington, The Wash, Norfolk on 31.08.03

It was subsequently seen at Cley, Norfolk on 29.09.03 and not reported again until it visited Oare Marshes KTNC Reserve from 11.06.04 - 16.06.04 at least.

21st June

A White Stock flew west between the reserve and Oare village.

18th June

Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Avocets and 2 Little Egrets this morning. 

15th June

A Green Sandpiper and a Ruff in breeding plumage on the West Flood, female Garganey and Drake Pintail on the east side.  Also Water Rail, Barn Owl, 7 Avocets & 2 Blue Tits!

11th June

Single Little Stint, Spotted Redshank & Green Sandpiper on the West Flood, pair of Garganey on the East Flood.  Exceptional numbers of Black-tailed Godwits for the time of year (at least 600).  Drake Ruddy Duck.

8th June

Black-tailed Godwits continue to increase - 460 counted today.  Barn Owl still out at 0900, drake Pintail, Water Rail, female Marsh Harrier, Med gull over the Swale. brood of Gadwall, 2 escapee Black Swans still present.

Fine displays of Grass Vetchling and Sea Clover.

6th June

Things continue to be quiet here but a flock of 10 Bee-eaters was seen flying this way from Seasalter. Did anyone see them over Oare??? If so please email us. I tried and failed!

3rd June

Very little of note and the lack of waders is bewildering. A single Kingfisher, 4 Avocets, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Little Egrets and ever present Marsh Harriers provided the highlights. A pair of Black Swans were with a flock of 40 Mute Swans on the west scrape.

Osprey over mid morning