Oare Marshes Latest Sightings (November)
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Species currently present in the area include: Wigeon, Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Brent Goose, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Peregrine, Water Rail, Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Reedling, Corn Bunting
25th November
Jack Snipe flushed from the small pool in the north east corner, 84 Avocets and 50+ Black-tailed Godwits at the mouth of Faversham Creek.
22nd November
Single Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser on the sea to the east of Faversham Creek today, both female / immatures, and 6 Whooper Swans flew over heading for Sheppy.
19th November
Female / immature Black Redstart on the roof of the Watch House and in bushes around the car park this afternoon.
18th November
Dartford Warbler skulking in rushes and brambles about 500m west of the car park - relatively vocal but not coming into the open, Bittern in flight on the east side of Faversham Creek, one Greenshank on the East Flood in the morning, several hundred fieldfares and small numbers of Redwings moving westwards. At least 9 Redpolls (probably Lesser) briefly in willow bush by the car park and on the west side, grey male Hen Harrier, Kingfisher, at least 5 Stonechats, 2 Bearded Reedlings and 4-5 Water Rails.
17th November
Single Goldeneye on the East Flood, juvenile Pomarine Skua on the sea north west of the reserve.
16th November
The following were seen from the sea wall hide at high water mid morning: a single female Common Scoter, 1 Kittiwake, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 2 Marsh Harriers and a distant diver, probably red-throated. A flock of 12 Snow Buntings was viewable on the shingle beach at South Swale and their white wing panels showed up well in the bright sunshine, especially on the adult males. There was no real evidence of seabird movement despite the brisk NW wind.
A Little Stint was on the East Flood again plus a drake Pintail and one or two Peregrines were in the area.
15th November
The car park was the place to be today. The Dartford Warbler called once and perched on top of a hawthorn bush and a Bittern made a short flight into a dyke at the back of the car park. A Bittern (almost certainly a different individual) was also seen in flight in the extreme south west corner.
There was still one Little Stint on the East Flood in late morning / early afternoon and another on the south west scrape. The high tide roost also included 33 Grey Plovers, about 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Avocets and a few Knot. There were also at least 5 Corn Buntings, 2 Bearded Reedlings and 2 Marsh Harriers on the reserve and a single Redpoll flew over.
14th November
The Dartford Warbler was seen on the west side near the road and a Bittern was also seen today.
9th November
The faint "churr" of a Dartford Warbler calling was heard on the west side but it failed to show itself. A Wheatear was reported near the car park and a Common Tern on the Swale - both later than "normal" but given recent trends and weather not that surprising.
The Green Sandpiper was still present and viewable from the sea wall. There were also 2 Grey Partridges on the west side. Ruff and Golden Plovers arrived at dusk to roost on the East Flood. Also present today 10 Avocets, 2 Kingfishers and a Merlin. A single Redpoll was heard passing overhead.
4th November
One the East Flood: 3 Little Stints, 7 Grey Plovers, 9 Avocets, 40 Knot, 300 Redshanks, 2 Bar-tailed and 590 Black-tailed Godwits, 570 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, 18 Snipe and 14 Ruff.
Single Green Sandpiper on the south west scrape.
2nd November
Still 2 Little Stints at high tide late morning with several hundred Dunlin & Redshank, at least 34 Snipe, 12 Avocets, approximately 800 Black-tailed and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and smaller numbers of Knot, Ringed and Grey Plovers.
Other species on the reserve today included 3 Stonechats, 4 Rock Pipits, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Bearded Reedlings, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warblers and single Redpoll(s) flew over twice.