Oare Marshes Latest Sightings (May)

Wanted - volunteers to help monitor and protect breeding birds.  No particular experience is required.  Training is provided.  If you can spare a few days, half days or evenings between May and August, please contact the Reserve Warden, Tony Swandale for further details (Tel:  07889 822412, E-mail:  tony.swandale@kentwildlife.org.uk).  Thank you.

May 27th

The Little Ringed Plover was on the East Flood again, 2 Stonechats, 3 Wigeon, 10 Ruddy Ducks, several Bearded reedlings, 2 Water Rails, at least 10 Avocets and a number of Black-tailed Godwits

May 26th

2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew over, single Greenshank and a Little Ringed Plover. A Spotted Flycatcher was in the trees opposite the cottages.

May 24th

There was a Cattle Egret in partial breeding plumage on the West Flood at 06.22.  Unfortunately it flew off to the east seconds later and could not be relocated.  Later in the morning it turned up at Sandwich.  The barn owl was out hunting early this morning along with at least 3 different Marsh Harriers.  There was a male Stonechat on the east side and a Blue Tit near the car park (not a common species on the reserve during the breeding season).

May 18th

The female Red-necked Phalarope was on the East Flood for its third day.  A single Greenshank was on the south-west scrape (viewable from the West Hide) and there were 209 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin and 3 Wigeon on the West Flood.

May 17th

The female Red-necked Phalarope was on the East Flood again today (near the road) together with a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper.  There were at least 250 Black-tailed Godwits on the West Flood at high tide in the morning and a single Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper on the far side of the flood (viewable from the sea wall about 500m from the car park). A summer-plumaged adult Curlew Sandpiper graced the west flood in the afternoon.  Also present today a Barn Owl shortly after dawn and again at dusk, 20 Avocets, a Whimbrel, at least 2 Marsh Harriers, at least 1 Bearded Reedling, 4 Water Rails and a late pair of Wigeon.

May 16th

A female Red-necked Phalarope in full breeding plumage showed well on the East Flood all day.  Also one Little Ringed Plover and the Wood Sandpiper still on the West Flood.

May 15th

The first Wood Sandpiper of the spring was on the West Flood

May 11th

The Spotted Redshank was on the far side of the West Flood today (viewable from the sea wall).  Male Wheatear near the car park, Hobby, 2 Wigeon, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 6 Avocets, 50 Black-tailed Godwits and increasing as the tide came in.

May 10th

There was a single Spotted Redshank in breeding plumage on the East Flood (near to the sluice gate) at ca 4.00 pm (Warren Mann).

May 7th

There was a single Common Sandpiper again on the East Flood one Wheatear and over 350 Black-tailed godwits on the West Flood.  Whimbrel, Dunlin, Curlew and Avocet on adjacent mudflats.  A Hobby was hawking for insects over the West Flood until it was almost dark and a Snipe got up from a paddock near the reserve at dusk.  One lingering pair of Wigeon but no sign of the Pintails today.  A Little Owl was in the usual place and a Corn Bunting was singing from telegraph wires over the road on the way to the reserve.

May 6th

Early am, low tide.  Barn Owl hunting and a Little Owl on one of the old brick huts just to the south of the reserve.  Single Wheatear, several Whimbrel and still good numbers of hirundines and Swifts on the move.

May 4th

Drake Garganey on the West Flood this morning plus 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit at high water.  Single Common Sandpiper and 4 Avocets on the East Flood.  Hobby, Wheatear, male Marsh Harrier and still at least 3 Wigeon and 2 Pintail on the reserve.  Turtle Dove, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat in the scrubby paddocks near the cottages.

May 2nd

1 Green and 2 Common Sandpipers on the East Flood