Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

June 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 Geoff Burton at geoff.burton@btinternet.com or Chris Abrams at chris@chrisabrams.plus.com.    Thank you.

Other Wildlife

Mammals: 1 Brown Hare on the sheepfields and 6 Common Seals on Horse Sands on the 2nd. 1 Brown Hare on the sheepfields and 10+ Common Seals on Horse Sands on the 4th. 2 Brown Hares were in front of the West Hide and 6 Common Seals were on Horse Sands on the 8th. 7 Common Seals were on Horse Sands and 2 more were off of the slipway, and a Brown Hare was in the field to the north of the West Flood on the 12th. 8 Common Seals on Horse Sands on the 17th. A Weasel was along the entrance road on the 21st. 6 Common Seals on Horse Sands on the 23rd.

Insects: 1 Painted Lady on the 5th. Black-tailed Skimmers, Four-spotted Chasers and Blue-tailed Damselflies on the 10th. Several Red Admirals and 2 Painted Ladies on the 12th. Several Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, and lots of Large and Small Whites on the 13th. More Painted Ladies and Black-tailed Skimmers on the 13th.

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

June 29th

An early morning visit in the rain. On the east flood there was a pair of Wigeon, a brood of Tufted Ducks and two drake Ruddy Ducks. Ten Black-tailed Godwits circled over the flood but settled on the west flood, a Ringed Plover was there and a Green Sandpiper flew south from the flood. Two Little Terns fished in the mouth of the creek and four Avocets were on the mud. Cuckoo and Turtle Dove were present in the paddocks area, two Goldfinches were by the car park and the Corn Bunting was singing on the wires by the bend. Later in the morning the following counts were made on the east flood: 19 Greylag Geese, 13 Teal, ten Tufted Ducks, 103 Coot, six Avocets and 106 Black-headed Gulls.

(Geoff Burton and Mike Stevens )

June 28th

On the east flood this morning were four Avocets, a Ringed Plover, a black summer-plumaged Ruff and 29 Redshank. On the west flood, two Avocets and three Curlews. A Little Owl was in the usual spot at Dan's Dock whilst a Hobby gave prolonged views over the sheepfields. Turtle Dove and Cuckoo were seen in the paddocks/scrub area.

(Mike Stevens)

June 26th

On the East Flood this evening: a pair of Wigeon, a duck Shoveler with 4 young, duck Pochards with broods of two and three young, 2 drake Ruddy Ducks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Common Tern. On the West Flood: a duck Shoveler with 3 well-grown young in the main dyke and 1 Green Sandpiper. A Sandwich Tern was on the Swale.

(Geoff Burton)

June 25th

In the paddocks/scrub this morning: 1 Whitethroat, an adult Reed Warbler feeding 2 young, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, an adult and a juvenile Green Woodpecker, and a male Bullfinch. On the East Flood this morning: 42 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Redshanks and 2 Common Terns. Another Common Tern was on the Swale. A Little Owl was amongst the blockhouses near Dan's Dock. Another adult Green Woodpecker with a juvenile was feeding along the foreshore at Uplees. A male Marsh Harrier dropped onto the sheepfields carrying prey. Also, a light passage of Swifts heading west noted this morning.

(Mike Roser and Mike Stevens)

June 24th

On a rainy East Flood today: 44 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Avocet, 14 Redshank, 3 Ruddy Ducks (2 drakes and 1 duck), 10 Tufted Ducks, 4 Pochard (plus 7 young), a pair of Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, 13 Teal, 4 Little Egrets, 77 Coot, 87 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Great Crested Grebe flew east. 21 Gadwall were on the New West Scrape and 6 were on the West Flood. In the paddocks/scrub: 3 Whitethroats, 1 male Blackcap, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo and 1 male Marsh Harrier. 2 Little Terns were on the Swale off of the slipway.

(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

June 23rd

6 Little Terns flew west along the Swale this morning and several more were over Castle Coote at South Swale. On the East Flood today: 31 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank flew east towards Faversham Creek, 12 Redshank, 3 Avocets, 4 Little Egrets, a pair of Wigeon, 16 Teal, 17 Gadwall, a drake Ruddy Duck and 4 Little Egrets. A Sandwich Tern was fishing along the creek and 4 Common Terns were on the Swale. 2 Peregrines were on the pylons to the east of the creek. A Common Snipe, 12 Gadwall and 2 male Marsh Harriers were on the West Flood. A Little Owl was near Dan's Dock. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoos. 7 juvenile Bearded Tits (4 males and 3 females) were showing nicely behind the Sea Wall hide. 2 Redshank chicks and 4 fledged juvenile Lapwings were on the new fields.

(Steve Clinch and Murray Wright)

June 22nd

28 Black-tailed Godwits were on the East Flood this morning. A Peregrine was hunting over the West Flood. 8 Avocets were around on the mouth of Faversham Creek, 6 Curlews were along the foreshore, plus 1 Common Tern fishing. The Corn Bunting was singing along the bends.

(Mike Roser)

June 21st

On the East Flood today: 41 Little Egrets early morning, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Avocets, 4 Common Terns and a Hobby over. At Uplees: a female and a juvenile Green Woodpecker in the copse, 2 Little Egrets along the shoreline, and 2 Great Crested Grebes on the Swale. 2 Little Owls were amongst the blockhouses south east of Dan's Dock. 6 Bearded Reedlings were near the Sea Wall hide. 3 Avocets and 2 Curlews were on the mud at the mouth of Faversham Creek. A second Green Sandpiper was on the new fields. 15 Gadwall were on the West Flood, plus a second summer male Marsh Harrier hunting again, and a female Shoveler with 9 newly-hatched ducklings on the main dyke there. 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoos were in the paddocks/scrub, plus a Turtle Dove in the road outside the cottages early morning. The Corn Bunting was singing near the bends from wires along the track to Court Lodge, and a Hobby was hunting over the fields there. The Harris's Hawk was around the Harty Ferry Inn on Sheppey again this afternoon.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

June 20th

23 Little Egrets were on the East Flood early morning. Also on the East Flood today: 1 male Ruff, 134 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 56 Redshanks, 1 Avocet, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Terns, 16 Gadwall, 28 Teal, a pair of Ruddy Ducks, 4 Pochard and 9 Tufted Ducks. A Peregrine was on the pylons at Nagden. 2 Green Sandpipers were on the New West Scrape and another was on the new fields. 20 Gadwall were on the West Flood, plus 2 male Marsh Harriers hunting there. A Whimbrel was at the mouth of Faversham Creek, plus 3 Curlews, 2 Avocets and 2 Common Terns, and 47 Redshanks were on the mud around the slipway. 3 juvenile Bearded Reedlings (2 males and a female) were near the Sea Wall hide. 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 3 Turtle Doves and 2 Cuckoos were in the paddocks/scrub.

(Murray Wright)

June 19th

No reports of the Squacco Heron today. On the East Flood today: 1 Avocet, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 22 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Tern and 1 Kingfisher. On the West Flood: 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 male Marsh Harriers. In the paddocks/scrub: 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler,  2 Cuckoos and 2 Marsh Harriers over the fields to the south. 2 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale. A Little Owl was around the blockhouses near Dan's Dock again.

(Mike Stevens)

June 18th

The Squacco Heron was showing well again on Ham Marshes until early afternoon at least from the track to the Shipwright's Arms, but also flying north west across Oare Creek and dropping out of site when disturbed. This evening it was reported in trees at Ham Road GP's. Also, 2 Green Sandpipers and a singing Corn Bunting there this morning. A Turtle Dove was on the approach road near the cottages early morning. 2 Green Sandpipers were on the New West Scrape and West Flood. On the East Flood: 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 3 Little Egrets, 2 drake Ruddy Ducks and a Little Grebe with 5 young. 2 Peregrines were on the third pylon east of Faversham Creek. On the mud around the mouth of the creek: 10 Avocets, 3 Curlews (plus a flock of 15 flew south west) and 2 Little Egrets. A second summer male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the west side. The Cetti's Warbler was still singing at Uplees Copse. The Corn Bunting was singing from the wires near the bends along the entrance road.

(John Pymm, Mike Roser and Murray Wright)

June 17th

The Squacco Heron has been present recently nearby at Ham Marshes and was showing well this evening - from Ham Road turn left along the track past the gravel pit on the left and then turn right onto the track to the Shipwright's Arms and the bird has been seen both north and south of the track after circa 100 yards. 21 Little Egrets were on the East Flood early morning, plus: 1 Avocet, 21 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 3 Ruddy Ducks (2 drakes), 4 Pochard and 10 Tufted Ducks. A Red-legged Partridge was calling from the roof of the cottages. 2 Green Sandpipers flew west over the paddocks/scrub, plus: 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, several Reed Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoos and 1 Bullfinch. A Common Snipe and 4 Gadwall were on the West Flood, plus a second summer male Marsh Harrier and Hobby over. On the mud at the mouth of Faversham Creek: 2 Avocets, 6 Curlews and 2 Little Egrets. A single Avocet was on the New West Scrape. A Little Owl was sitting out near the blockhouses south of Dan's Dock. A Peregrine was on the pylons east of the creek.

(Dick Bailey, Geoff Burton, Keith Privett and Murray Wright)

June 16th

A Green Sandpiper flew over the West Flood early morning. On the East Flood this morning: 12 Little Egrets, 1 Avocet, 23 Teal, 4 Pochard and a male Marsh Harrier, plus good numbers of Swifts high over the flood. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 3 Turtle Doves and 1 Cuckoo. 3 Little Terns and 3 Common Terns were fishing in the mouth of Faversham Creek, and on the mud there: 5 Avocets, 4 Curlew and 2 Little Egrets. The Corn Bunting was singing from the wires near the bends along the entrance road again. The escaped Harris's Hawk still around the Harty Ferry Inn.

(Murray Wright)

June 15th

On the East Flood this afternoon: 3 Avocets, 2 Common Terns, 22 Shovelers, 10 Teal and 7 Tufted Ducks. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers and 1 Cuckoo. 3 Marsh Harriers were over the west side.

(Mike Stevens)

June 14th

A Corn Bunting was singing from the wires near the bends along the entrance road early morning. The Barn Owl was hunting around the East and West floods until 08:30 at least. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Owl, 2 Cuckoos and 1 Turtle Dove. A Peregrine was on the pylons at Nagden. On the East Flood today: 3 Avocets, 5 Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 23 Teal, 1 Ruddy Duck, 7 Tufted Ducks and 4 Little Egrets, plus several Lapwings flying over west. 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Terns and 3 Common Terns were on the Swale. An Avocet, 4 Curlews and 2 Little Egrets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek.

(Steve Clinch, Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

June 13th

The Barn Owl was quartering the fields to the west of the West Hide again, and a Little Owl was perched on one of the blockhouses inland from Dan's Dock. 2 Common Terns were fishing in Faversham Creek. On the East Flood: 1 Avocet, 7 Little Egrets and 27 (25 drakes) Teal. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 male Blackcap, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoos. 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Cuckoo were at Uplees Copse, and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were over the Swale there. A pair of Bearded Reedlings were in reeds around the West Flood.

(Murray Wright)

June 12th

A Barn Owl was hunting over the fields west of the West Flood until 09:30 at least. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 male Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoos. A hepatic Cuckoo was seen in flight over the West Flood. On the East Flood: 1 injured Avocet, 2 Snipe, 6 Little Egrets, 17 Teal (16 drakes), 1 drake Ruddy Duck, 7 Pochard (4 drakes) plus a duck with 3 young, 26 Greylag Geese including 8 well grown goslings, 49 Coot and a male Marsh Harrier. 6 Curlew, 2 Avocets and 3 Little Egrets were on the mud around the mouth of Faversham Creek. An adult male Bearded Reedling with 5 juveniles were in reeds near the Sea Wall hide. 2 Little Terns were on the mud just west of the slipway, plus 3 Common Terns nearby and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew west. Another Cuckoo and a singing Cetti's Warbler were at Uplees Copse. A Little Owl was amongst the blockhouses inland of Dan's Dock, a second Great Crested Grebe was on the Swale there, plus a male Marsh Harrier carrying food nearby. A Little Ringed Plover was on the East Flood in the evening and a Hobby flew west over the flood.

(Mike Stevens, Adam Whitehouse and Murray Wright)

June 11th

No reports received today.

June 10th

2 Barn Owls were hunting along the southern edge of the reserve east and west of the entrance road until circa 08:30 at least, plus a pair of Marsh Harriers hunting around the reserve this morning. On the East Flood: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Avocets and 5 Little Egrets. A Little Owl was sitting out on one of the blockhouses inland of Dan's Dock. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Nightingale, 1 male Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Turtle Dove. 2 Peregrines were on a pylon east of Faversham Creek and 2 Common Terns were fishing along the creek. A Great Crested Grebe was on the Swale.

(Keith Cornish and Murray Wright)

June 9th

A flock of 9 mainly juvenile Bearded Reedlings were showing well around the car park mid-morning, and several more were in the reeds at the eastern end of the East Flood, plus several vocal Water Rails there. On the East Flood: 3 Avocets, 4 Curlews flew west, 26 Teal (23 drakes), a pair of Ruddy Ducks, 4 Pochard, 9 Tufted Ducks and 6 Little Egrets. 2 Peregrines were on the pylons at Nagden. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 singing Blackcap, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, 1 singing Nightingale, 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Cuckoos and a male Marsh Harrier over. A Little Owl was on the blockhouse south of the West Hide, and another was near Dan's Dock. 1 Avocet, 1 Little Egret and a pair of Teal were on the New West Scrape.

(Steve Clinch and Murray Wright)

June 8th

No sign of the Red-backed Shrike today. On the East Flood: 2 Avocets, a pair of Ruddy Ducks, 18 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 19 Shelduck, large numbers of Swifts plus smaller numbers of Swallows and House Martins over the water, and 3 Bearded Reedlings in reeds in the north east corner. In the paddocks/scrub: the Nightingale singing well, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo heard and 1 Marsh Harrier over. 2 Avocets were along Faversham Creek and another was on the New West Scrape. 3 Common Terns were on the Swale off of the Sea Wall hide. 2 Peregrines were on the pylons.

(Mike Roser and Mike Stevens)

June 7th

A handsome male Red-backed Shrike was found in the paddocks/scrub opposite the cottages early morning and showed very well at times until 21:00 at least - new for the year and the first spring record for the area. Also in the paddocks/scrub today: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 male Blackcap, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, 1 singing Nightingale, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Hobby over (plus another over the entrance road near the bends), 2 Marsh Harriers and 1 Bullfinch. On the East Flood: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank flew over, 3 Avocets, 4 Little Egrets, 15 Teal (13 drakes) and 1 Bar-headed Goose.

(Murray Wright)

June 6th

No reports of the Squacco Heron today. On the East Flood: 1 drake Garganey, 9 drake Teal, a pair of Ruddy Ducks, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Avocets, 1 Marsh Harrier over, 6 Little Egrets, and good numbers of Sand Martins and a few House Martins feeding low over the water. 4 Brent Geese were on Horse Sands. A Common Sandpiper was along Oare Creek. A Peregrine was on the first pylon east of Faversham Creek again.

(Steve Clinch, Mike Gould, John Pymm and Murray Wright)

June 5th

The Squacco Heron was seen several times in flight again this morning, initially over the East Flood, then flushed from the dyke behind the East Hide, and then flushed several times along the dyke adjacent to the sea wall along Oare Creek south of the sea sluice (last seen dropping into the reedy ditch which runs at 90° to the creek opposite the first wooden kissing gate, circa ½ mile south along the the sea wall from the sea sluice at 07:30). On the East Flood: 1 drake Garganey, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Avocets, 1 drake Ruddy Duck, 13 drake Teal and 3 Little Egrets, plus a Hobby over this afternoon and a Bar-headed Goose on the flood. In the paddocks/scrub: the Nightingale still singing well, 1 male Blackcap, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Doves. On the West Flood: 1 Avocet and 6 Gadwall, plus a pair of Teal over. 6 Little Terns and 6 Common Terns were on the Swale around Horse Sands. 2 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult and a 2nd summer) flew north over the reserve. 2 Peregrines were on the pylons at Nagden this afternoon.

This evening the Squacco Heron dropped into the reeds just south of the Sea Wall hide in the north east corner of the East Flood at circa 21:15. Also this evening: 1 Hobby and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls over, and a Peregrine on the first pylon east of Faversham Creek.

(Geoff Burton, Steve Clinch, Chris Gibbard and Murray Wright)

June 4th

No reports of the Squacco Heron today. A drake Garganey was on the East Flood, plus: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Avocets, flocks of 4 and 14 Black-tailed Godwits over, 4 Curlews over, 17 Lapwings over, 6 Little Egrets, 11 drake Teal, 16 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, circa 60 Mallards, 1 drake Ruddy Duck, 4 Pochard and 9 Tufted Ducks. 6 well grown Lapwing chicks and 6 adults were on the new fields, plus 1 drake Teal. The Barn Owl was hunting over the west side at 08:30. 3 Avocets, 2 drake Ruddy Ducks and 6 Gadwall were on the West Flood, and a pair of Marsh Harriers were hunting nearby. 2 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 Nightingale, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Cuckoo. From the Sea Wall hide: 9 Avocets, 1 Curlew and 1 Brent Goose were on the mud, and a crèche of 30 young Shelducks were on the water. The Harris's Hawk was over the Harty Ferry Inn again.

(Mike Roser, Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

June 3nd

Bird of the day was a superb Squacco Heron found by Megan and Chris Perkins just west of the entrance road at circa 07:45, which settled into the reedy ditch running west away from the view point and showed quite well at times until circa 10:20 when it flew off strongly west and no further reports - the first record for Oare and only the 6th or 7th for Kent. The Bittern 'boomed' on the East Flood briefly at 06:55 and was seen over the reeds at circa 10:00. Also on the East Flood: 1 Little Ringed Plover, flocks of 5 and 8 Black-tailed Godwits flying over, 2 Avocets, 11 Pochards (8 drakes and 3 ducks, plus 16 young), 4 adult Little Grebes plus 1 juvenile, 3 Little Egrets and 2 Common Terns. Several Bearded Reedlings were in the reeds around the East Flood. The Barn Owl was hunting west of the entrance road until 08:30 at least. A pair of Marsh Harriers were hunting around the reserve again. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Nightingale, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Turtle Dove, and 1 Sparrowhawk flew over. 1 Avocet and 8 Gadwall were on the West Flood.

(Geoff Burton, Megan and Chris Perkins, Keith Privett and Murray Wright)

June 2nd

3 Common Cranes flew low over the West Flood at circa 09:30 before circling up high and drifting off south-west (Richard Smith). Single Little Owls were near Dan's Dock, near Uplees Copse, and looking south from behind the West Hide. A Common Buzzard was circling high over the fishing ponds mid-morning.  The Barn Owl was hunting over the west side until 10:30 at least. A single Black-tailed Godwit was on the mud in front of the Sea Wall hide. On the East Flood this morning: 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Avocets, 4 Redshanks, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 4 Pochard, 9 Tufted Ducks, 8 Gadwall and 29 Mallards. In the paddocks/scrub: 1 singing Nightingale, 1 male Blackcap, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers and 1 Cuckoo, and 2 Turtle Doves flew north. A Sparrowhawk circled north over the West Flood, and 1 Avocet, 2 Little Egrets and 7 Gadwall were on the flood. A Peregrine was on pylons at Nagden. A duck Shoveler with 7 young were on the dyke near the sea sluice. 3 Marsh Harriers (2 males and 1 female) were around the reserve. The Harris's Hawk was over Sheppey again.

(Keef Pankhurst, Richard Smith and Murray Wright)

June 1st

No reports received.