Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

(May 2006)

29th May

This afternoon, a pair of Garganey on the east flood, two drake Wigeon, one Dunlin and 85 Black-tailed Godwits on the west flood, a Sandwich Tern on the Swale and a near-adult Yellow-legged Gull in Faversham Creek in same plumage and same location as previous record (see April 21st).

(Geoff Burton)

26th May

This morning a Garganey, 2 Wigeon and a Teal (all drakes) were visible on the West Flood in the pouring rain and a single Snipe, 2 drake Ruddy Ducks and 6 Avocets on the east side

(A Swandale & Geoff Burton)

25th May

The Spoonbill was on the east side again this evening and a Barn Owl was hunting on the reserve.  Also a pair of Garganey (Mike Stevens & Ray Dennis)

24th May

Cold and windy. The unringed adult Spoonbill was present on the east flood early morning and one or more drake Garganeys were present on both floods. At low tide very few waders on the floods save for the flock of Black-tailed Godwits.

(Geoff Burton).

23rd May

On the West Flood 1 Drake garganey, 1 Greenshank again, 1 male Pintail, 1 drake Wigeon, 1 Dunlin and 160 Black-tailed Godwits.  Also this morning a Hobby and 2 Little Terns.

(A Swandale)

Also Spoonbill reported at midday.

22nd May

1 Greenshank, numbers of Black-tailed Godwits have increased to 140 (A Swandale)

18th May

3 Garganey (2 drakes & 1 duck) on the East Flood, 1 Wheatear

(Mike Stevens)

16th May

(pm)  two drake Wigeon, two pairs of Ruddy Ducks on the east flood, drake Garganey and Pintail, Greenshank on west flood, three Whimbrel in the saltmarsh and five Grey Plovers in the creek (Geoff Burton).

15th May

1 Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel on the West Flood, 2 drake Wigeon, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns, 7 Avocets, 3 Little Egrets

(A Swandale)

14th May

Drake Garganey, Knot and 3 Little Terns reported today

12th May

Spoonbill on the East Flood between 10.00 and 11.00 (B Bolens)

The Spoonbill was still present in the afternoon. It had been rung as a nestling in the Netherlands in July last year. It remained in the Netherlands until September but on Oct.5th it was reported on the Ile de Sein, an island of the Brittany coast. Information provided by Working Group Spoonbills International. Also two drake Wigeon, three Reeves, 135 Black-tailed Godwits and four Little Terns on the east flood (Geoff Burton).

Earlier this morning 1 Barn Owl, 2 Little Owls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whimbrel, c80 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 drake Wigeon still (A Swandale)

2 Red Kites were seen circling over Faversham creek today

(M Smiley)

11th May

1 Whimbrel, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Terns, 2 Bearded Reedlings (A Swandale)

9th May

2 drake Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone and 1 Common Sandpiper on the East Flood, 1 Whimbrel and 4 Little Terns on the West Flood.  Little Owl again at Uplees just west of the reserve.

(A Swandale)

7th May

Temminck's Stint initially on the East Flood moving to the west side later.  The stint was still present at dusk along with a Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Owl and 2 Barn Owls (A Swandale)

An Osprey was reported flying over the Swale in the evening

5th May

3 Greenshanks, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, Peregrine

(J Bloor)

3rd May

A Little Gull flew west down the Swale early this morning.  There was a summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit on the west side near the road with Black-tailed Godwits (photo above).  Also today 2 Greenshanks, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5+ Whimbrel, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Ruddy Ducks (3 drakes), 4-6 Wheatears and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.   Two Barn Owls were hunting on the reserve until about 7 a.m. and a Little Owl was again at Uplees near the munitions huts. 

(A Swandale & Geoff Burton)

2nd May

A Temminck's Stint was on the East Flood until 5pm at least.