Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

November 2008

Kent Wildlife Trust

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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 Murray Wright by clicking here.

Species List for 2008

To view the complete list of species recorded so far this year please click here.

182 species have been recorded in the area so far this year.
  

November 30th

(07:15-11:15) Overcast and grey with a brisk NE wind. A Barn Owl was hunting along the path to the West Hide. A Short-eared Owl was seen from the hide hunting in the lee of the sea wall, and a female Marsh Harrier was over the West Flood. Just 2 Fieldfares were seen over the paddocks. On the East Flood numbers of Pintail and Tufted Ducks were well up with 32 and 36 respectively, plus 31 Snipe. 9 Corn Buntings were in the bushes on the east side of Faversham Creek. A Greenshank was feeding along the creek, plus 2 Little Grebes. 47 Avocets were at the mouth of the creek. On the Swale there were 13 Red-breasted Mergansers (including 6 drakes) and 14 Great Crested Grebes.

(Murray Wright)

November 29th

(07:15-12:00) Another grey and murky morning with persistent drizzle and little more than a very light NW wind. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the West Flood early on, and a Kingfisher was perched in front of the West Hide. 5 Fieldfares were in the trees behind the East Hide. On the East Flood amongst the many Teal and Shoveler there were 16 Pintail and 28 Tufted Ducks, plus 15 Mute Swans first thing. A pair of Bearded Tits showed well by the sluice. 18 Greylags were on the new acquisition. A Little Grebe was in Faversham Creek. Another Little Grebe was on the Swale, plus 9 Great Crested Grebes. 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers were off the slipway, and 2 Knot were amongst the many Dunlin on the mud to the west. 4 more Red-breasted Mergansers (two drakes and two ducks) flew west along the Swale passed Dan's Dock. Back at the East Flood an hour or so before high tide there were 5 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plovers, 4 Golden Plovers, 6 Common Gulls and a Little Egret, plus a juvenile Marsh Harrier over the reeds at the east end.

(Murray Wright)

(14:30-15:30) Visit to Oare on Saturday from 14:30-15:30, driving rain and cold. Most notable feature were 24 Snipe all sheltering on the north side of the East Flood amongst the reeds. Also Lapwing, circa 450, numerous Shovelers and 12 Pintail.

(Alan Lean)

November 27th

(07:15-12:00) A brighter day than yesterday but still plenty of cloud and some light rain later - the wind was a freshening SW. A male Hen Harrier was hunting south of the West Hide during the morning and I saw it take a Snipe on the East Flood later on. A pair of Marsh Harriers were hunting around the west side, and over Mocketts there were three more with a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Kestrels. The scrub/paddocks were fairly quite with 2 Redwings and a singing Cetti's Warbler the only birds of note. On the East Flood: 19 Tufted Ducks, 4 Gadwall, 7 Pintail, circa 400 Teal and circa 300 Shoveler. 35 Wigeon were on the West Scrape. At Uplees there was a Goldcrest in the copse, on the mud there were circa 800 Golden Plovers, 2 Knot and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, and a male Red-breasted Merganser flew west along the Swale. A pair of Rock Pipits were around the slipway, plus 2 Turnstones and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud nearby. Cetti's Warblers were singing well around the carpark and near the Sea Wall hide, and there 5 Bearded Tits in the reeds near the hide. 32 Avocets were feeding at the mouth of Faversham Creek. A Peregrine was on the first pylon to the east of the creek. On the East Flood at high tide: 1 Little Stint (Mike Stevens), 24 Dunlins, 13 Ringed Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 25 Golden Plovers and circa 100 Black-tailed Godwits, plus 1 Little Egret and a Kingfisher.

(Murray Wright)

November 26th

(07:15-12:00) A grey and murky morning with occasional drizzle and a light W wind. On the East Flood early on there were 2 Ruff, 17 Tufted Ducks and 25 Mute Swans. The scrub/paddocks were very quiet with just a couple of flyover Fieldfares noted. 12 more Fieldfares and 3 Redwings were in the hawthorns to the east of the East Hide. 22 Greylags were on the new acquisition. 2 Little Grebes were fishing in the mouth of Faversham Creek, and there were 22 Avocets feeding before being forced off by the incoming tide. I met Mike Stevens (with his new Swarovski scope!) and we headed down to Dan's Dock. 2 Turnstones were on the slipway and 9 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the mud just to the west, plus circa 100 Dunlins and a few Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits. We picked out a male Hen Harrier hunting over the West Flood before it drifted off south. Geoff joined us at the Dock. Mike picked out a second male Hen Harrier over Sheppey with a couple of Marsh Harriers. We watched an immature Marsh Harrier hovering low over the Swale trying to steal some prey (looked like a duck sp. so possibly one that eluded the wildfowlers retrievers) from a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls, however, despite scaring off the gulls it eventually gave up and flew off - too heavy I guess. Geoff picked up what was almost certainly a Goldeneye flying east down the Swale, but frustratingly it disappeared in the murk before we could scope it (would have been only the second record this year following two drakes on the Swale on 23rd January). Much more satisfactory were 2 adult Bewick' s Swans which appeared over the Swale as we got back to the Watch House. They flew over the West Flood calling and continued west - only the third record this year (one on the Swale at Castle Coote on 1st January and seven distantly on Sheppey on 11th February). A Rock Pipit flew over the saltmarsh. 2 Lesser Redpolls were feeding around the carpark with Greenfinches. On the East Flood at high tide: 1 limping Greenshank, 29 Dunlins, 22 Ringed Plovers, 5 Grey Plovers, circa 40 Redshanks, circa 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, and 16 Moorhens plus another crossing the road (thanks Geoff!). 5 Long-tailed Tits were in the scrub/paddocks, plus a surprise (and very welcome) appearance by a Barn Owl. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard near the cottages but went unseen. Bumped into Neil and Janet Burt along the entrance road who'd seen a female Common Scoter on the Swale.

(Murray Wright)

(10:30-13:20) Starting off at the slipway there were 5 Turnstones and 1 Rock Pipit. Walking towards the Sea Wall hide the 2 Bewick's Swans flew SW at 10:50 and 1 female Common Scoter was on the Swale between the two buoys off of the hide. At the sluice we had a further Rock Pipit, a Kingfisher and also 1 Little Grebe in Faversham Creek. The East Flood had 1 Greenshank and 5 Grey Plover among the many wildfowl and waders and a male Marsh Harrier was hunting. The bushes and fields behind the East Hide held at least 6 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Barn Owl was hunting in the paddocks and 2 Cetti's Warblers were heard - in the car park and behind the Sea Wall hide. After you had left we walked up to Dan's Dock. A further Bewick's Swan flew east along the Swale at 12:25, there were 2 Linnets by the slipway, a group of 20 Snipe circled the West Flood and a Green Woodpecker was perched on one of the concrete buildings. Looking across to Sheppey from the dock we could see a ringtail Hen Harrier hunting the base of Harty Hill, successfully finding a meal only for a cream-crown Marsh Harrier to steal its prize. Heading back, the leucistic Curlew was spotted in the saltmarsh. After returning to the car park a male Hen Harrier appeared over the West Hide at 13:20 before working slowly west towards Uplees. Another enjoyable visit!

(Neil and Janet Burt)

November 24th

An horrendously wet early two hour stint with little to gladden the heart and much to dampen the spirits! Made it to the Sea Wall hide with a NW gale of rain on my back. Watched a Common Seal play dive and seek with a Great Crested Grebe; saw significant numbers of Great Back-backed Gulls come into the Swale from  the murk beyond - what`s significant? Certainly 150-200 through the period. 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and circa 400 Brent Geese were on the water and Marsh Harriers continued their unexplained need to get across to Sheppey given the conditions and gull harassment. 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover and 1 Golden Plover appeared to be in company of 3 Ruff and 30 Black-tailed Godwit on the East Flood. Most of the accompanying battalions were keeping their heads down, apart from Shovelers which seemed to revel in keeping their heads down with about 10 loafing, upending Pintail. The wind veered dramatically through N to NE, and Reculver for a couple of hours (in Barry Hunt`s company) adequately compensated with some quality birds!

(Mike Roser)  

(13:00-15:30) A brighter afternoon with just one heavy squall on the very strong NNE wind. From the Sea Wall hide: a single Bonxie flew in from the east and settled by Horse Sands for around half an hour before heading off west chasing the gulls; a flock of 15 Common Scoter flew north; 6 Red-breasted Mergansers - one flew out of Faversham Creek and continued west, and a flock of five flew west along the Swale; 2 adult Kittiwakes lingering; a ringtail Hen Harrier and 4 Marsh Harriers flew north to Sheppey.

(Murray Wright)

November 23rd

(07:00-10:30) Cold and grey with snow from 08:00 on a strengthening S wind. First thing there were 28 Mute Swans on the East Flood which soon flew off east towards Nagden Marshes. With a fairly low high tide not a lot of waders came into roost on the flood: 20 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 16 Golden Plovers, 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Ruff. Wildfowl numbers were lower too: 15 Pintail, 35 Wigeon, circa 100 Shoveler, circa 250 Teal and no Tufted Ducks. There were 7 Fieldfares and a couple of Redwings in the hawthorns behind the East Hide. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over Sheppey. I made it to the Sea Wall hide as the snow became heavier and spent a couple of hours sheltering there and not seeing much: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Turnstones, 29 Avocets feeding in the mouth of the creek as the tide fell, a Sparrowhawk flying south from Sheppey and several Marsh Harriers heading north, and up to 3 Rock Pipits. Bumped into Mick Southcott who'd seen a male Hen Harrier circle around the East Flood and fly west. With the snow turning back to heavy rain and a strong S wind picking up I called it a day.

(Murray Wright)

November 22nd

(07:00-11:00) Bright with a strong and raw NW wind. I arrived at high tide and headed for the shelter of the East Hide. Roosting on the East Flood there were: 4 Little Stints, circa 150 Dunlins, 14 Ringed Plovers, 11 Grey Plovers, circa 75 Golden Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, circa 400 Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Ruff, plus 8 Pintail, 9 Tufted Ducks and 1 Little Egret. A Common Buzzard was over Mocketts again. I headed to the Sea Wall hide for a couple of hours and noted: a flock of 6 female Common Scoters flying west along the Swale and joined by an immature male Eider; a group of 4 Eider flew in from the east and alighted on the water looking towards Harty Church; 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (a drake and two ducks) flew west plus another drake on the water; 4 Great Crested Grebes; 3 Peregrines and 8 Marsh Harriers flew north to Sheppey. Also, there were 2 Rock Pipits in front of the hide, and a Kingfisher spent some time hovering over some pools on the saltmarsh. 3 Turnstones were on the slipway. 22 Greylags were on the West Scrape. Back at the East Flood Mute Swans were coming in from the east (perhaps some disturbance on Nagden Marshes this morning?) with a good count of 37 on the flood by the time I left.

(Murray Wright)

November 21st

(08:00-09:30) Watched the receding gale lashed tide from the Sea Wall hide. Thought the wind was going to be nearer N than NW! Had 24 flyby species which included at intervals 7 Marsh Harriers struggling to reach Sheppey from South Swale side. A poor return of 2 Kittiwakes (was compensated later with the numbers streaming by at Reculver). A flight of 3 drake Red-breasted Mergansers made light of the conditions flying west. Most species seemed intent on gaining shelter in the lea of Sheppey bank. Apart from that it was coffee and thermals!

(Mike Roser)

(13:15-15:30) Mostly bright with a strong and gusting NW wind. Watched the Swale from the Sea Wall hide with Mike Stevens and Geoff joined us later. Not too much happening, but we did manage 48 Kittiwakes (flocks of 23 and 25) flying west, a flock of circa 30 Common Scoter out towards Horse Sands which settled on the water a couple of times before flying off east, and 1 immature drake Eider, plus 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk and several Marsh Harriers headed north to Sheppey.

(Murray Wright)

November 20th

(10:00-13:30) I started at the slipway in an ever freshening SW breeze with variable cloud cover. On the mud flats there were the usual suspects; small numbers of Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed  and Grey Plover. On the water there were a couple of Great Crested Grebes and I was told that a Great Northern Diver had been seen earlier in the morning, west of the Ferry Inn. East of the Inn there were about 80 Avocet on the shoreline and over the hill a Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier were seen. A small flock of Linnets dropped in (hoped that they might have been Twite but it was not to be) as did a lone Rock Pipit. And so to the Sea Wall Hide. Little to report from that vantage point. The same species of birds were to be seen on the flats as had earlier been noted from the slipway with the addition of about 20 Curlew and half a dozen Shelduck. Not a Godwit to be seen anywhere. As I feasted on a Sandwich comprising Luddenham sausage (mmm....tasty, very tasty) with HP sauce between slices of home made wheatmeal and rosemary bread, a male Marsh Harrier crossed Horse Sands and in the background another appeared towards Shellness. A scan over the Sands produced a very large mixed flock of Golden Plover and Lapwing with Shelduck accompaniment. As I lunched so did the numerous Cormorants on the water, one  or two enagaging in particularly protracted and gruesome struggles with eels. About 90 Brent Geese flew onto the far side of the Sands and more were located in the Castle Coote area. Fortified, I made my way to the East Hide behind which were a couple of Redwing posing nicely for the camera. I dutifully took a couple of snaps hoping that they might pass muster and adorn the site, but I could see that the results were woeful even by my standards. From the Hide I noted 21 Common Snipe, circa 60 Black-tailed Godwit, numerous Lapwing and among the waterfowl, 10 Pintail and 15 Wigeon. Alongside the access road en route back to the car park, there were 2 pairs of Stonechat, nothing having been unearthed on my brief stop at the cottages. Finally, a last scan from the Sea Wall showed that Dunlin numbers east of the slipway had increased to 150+ but no sign of Little Stint among them. So, nothing to set the pulse racing just another very pleasant and tranquil turn around the Marshes. Nice!

(Mike Stevens)

November 19th

(07:00-12:00) Bright and sunny with a freshening W wind. Met up with Keith Privett and later we joined Geoff along the entrance road. A fairly slow morning. 2 Marsh Harriers (a male and a female) flew west over the floods first thing. In the paddocks/scrub: 7 Fieldfares, several Redwings, 9 Long-tailed Tits, a Redpoll was heard calling, and a male Sparrowhawk, plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker in a tree towards the fishing ponds. A couple more Fieldfares flew west over Faversham Creek, plus a Kingfisher there. 23 Greylags were on the new acquisition, later moving to the West Scrape. 23 Avocets were on the mud in front of the Sea Wall hide, later flying west along the Swale. 4 Bearded Tits were in the reeds near the hide. 2 Rock Pipits were east of the slipway. A Common Buzzard was over Mocketts again for much of the morning, plus a ringtail Hen Harrier and several Marsh Harriers. At Uplees copse there were 5 Corn Buntings, plus 5 Great Crested Grebes on the Swale, and 100 Avocets on the mud on the north side. On the East Flood: 8 Ruff, 8 Dunlin briefly, circa 200 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 20 Snipe, two pairs of Gadwall, 12 Pintail and 2 drake Tufted Ducks.

(Murray Wright)

November 17th

Tetrad TR06C embraces the Oare Marshes reserve and a portion of the Sheppey shoreline to include the Ferry Inn area, and today was a timed two hour Atlas stint in low light and murky conditions, and I managed 53 species. Lapwings, Coot and Teal dominated the number crunching with circa 1150 of the former, a figure which was greatly enhanced outside the tetrad as the resident Peregrines created mayhem along the Sheppey bank. Teal numbers of around 430 make this an important site for this species, but with water levels high, roosting wader numbers were down - particularly Black-tailed Godwit although the Redshank count was circa 170. Golden Plover numbers in the tetrad were around 450 with many more Sheppey side. 670 Brent Geese were counted on the sea in front of the Sea Wall hide, but alas no Great Northern Diver! 105 Shelduck hugged the far bank in an increasingly chill SW breeze. Red-breasted Mergansers were a fly by westwards, and 5 separate sightings of male and female Marsh Harriers were noted - the female drop leg and male whitetail were both hunting at Seasalter yesterday - today Uplees. I noted in TR06L this morning what appeared to be an influx of Blackbirds 30. There were 10 in the scrub adjacent to the paddocks opposite the cottages. Minimum of 3 Green Woodpeckers taking it out on fence posts across the marsh - guess the age of the woodwork and its store of larvae etc. will keep our seaside `peckers happy through the winter. Also found Oare`s Gadwalls loafing in a woodland pond near Sandbanks this morning - again TR06L - wondered where they had gone! Fieldfare numbers were significant "other side of the creek" but saw none at Oare.
(Mike Roser)

The Gooseander was on the East Flood again around midday and a Great Northern Diver was on the Swale west of the slipway.

November 16th

(06:45-12:00) Mainly overcast with a brisk W wind and rain later. 13 Pintail, 12 Mute Swans and 24 Greylag Geese were on the East Flood first thing, and a Grey Wagtail flew west. 3 Goldcrests and a single Redwing were in the paddocks, plus 2 Fieldfares over. I joined Steve Clinch at the slipway and we soon located a Great Northern Diver on the Swale looking east. We headed to the Sea Wall hide for better views and while watching the diver 2 Snow Buntings flew in from the north-east circled round and headed back east towards Seasalter - an Oare tick for Steve! 15 Avocets were on the east side of Faversham Creek, plus 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Turnstones. We walked west to Uplees where there was 1+ Corn Bunting in the copse. A Common Buzzard and a ringtail Hen Harrier were over Mocketts on Sheppey. 2 Common Eiders were on the Swale west of the slipway. Chris Gibbard heard a Water Pipit near the Watch House mid-morning. Between 12:30-12:50 on the East Flood Julian Russell noted 1 Little Stint, 3 Greenshank, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone and 74 Common Snipe.

(Murray Wright)

November 15th

(07:00-12:30) Overcast and grey with a freshening SW breeze. Brighter later. A Great Northern Diver was on the Swale again mid-morning, plus 2 Common Eiders and 6 Great Crested Grebes. 10 Avocets were on the mud in front of the Sea Wall hide. On the East Flood this morning: 4 Little Stints, 30 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, circa 200 Golden Plovers, circa 300 Lapwings, 3 Ruff, circa 200 Redshanks, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Turnstones, a duck Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks, 14 Pintail, 24 Greylag Geese and 12 Common Gulls. 3 Goldcrests were in the paddocks, plus 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker,  and 2 Fieldfares over. 11 Long-tailed Tits were in the hedge behind the East Hide. A Sparrowhawk circled over the West Flood and drifted north. A Common Buzzard and 5 Marsh Harriers were over Mocketts. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting around the West Flood, plus 1 Green Sandpiper there. 2 Rock Pipits were around the slipway. Also, 6 singing Cetti's Warblers around the reserve and 3 pairs of Stonechat.

(Murray Wright)

November 14th

(08:00-09:00) An hour's visit before heading to work proved quite productive. No sign of any Great Northern Divers on the Swale, but a Shag west of the slipway and drifting west on the incoming tide was the first of the year (that's the ninth species added to the Oare year list this month!). The Goosander was on the Swale before flying to the East Flood for five minutes before flying off towards Ham Road GP's (and later reported back on the East Flood this afternoon) - two Oare ticks in an hour can't be bad! The 3 Common Eiders and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were also on the Swale. 2 Twite flew west dropping onto the saltmarsh briefly before continuing west. A Common Buzzard was over Mocketts.

(Steve Clinch)

November 13th

(07:00-13:00) A bright, sunny and calm start with a bit of early mist, but clouding over later on the light SW wind. Met Geoff who'd arrived twenty minutes or so earlier just as 3 swans (probably all Mutes) departed east from the East Flood leaving 11 Mutes behind. In the scrub/paddocks we noted 2 Lesser Redpolls on the wires  plus another flying over (a good showing by this species here this autumn), several Redwings, 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and saw 2 Sparrowhawks fly through. A Green Sandpiper flew south over the West Flood. A Peregrine was on the Nagden pylons. 12 Pintail and a pair of Tufted Ducks were on the East Flood. We were going to continue around the flood when a tip-off from Tony Sayers had us 'hurrying' to the sea wall for a Great Northern Diver on the Swale, which we soon located on the far side just west of Mocketts - the first of the year (thanks Tony and well picked out with just a pair of bins and Henry!). Whilst watching it a male Hen Harrier came into view over the saltmarsh on Sheppey and headed south across the Swale. The 3 Common Eiders were just east of the slipway, plus 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and several Great Crested Grebes. Whilst watching the eiders a second Great Northern Diver was found, however, this bird soon flew high east along the Swale at around 09:30. Two GND's in one morning at Oare - quite something! The first diver drifted up as far as Uplees on the incoming tide and we followed it. On the way a Peregrine was seen over the Swale. At Uplees copse there were 3 Corn Buntings again, 1 Rock Pipit and a single Jay, and on the mud there was a flock of circa 500 Golden Plovers. The diver drifted back east before flying and joining the Eiders where it was just close enough for a record shot. It drifted back west again and was last seen flying high west at 11:20 by Dave Perrin. However, back at the East Flood there was even better to come with Geoff finding the bird of the day a 'brownhead' Goosander an Oare tick for him and Mike Stevens, who'd joined us, and only the second I've seen here in twelve years or so - the pleasures of patch watching! It spent much of its time trying to sleep on one of the islands amongst the Cormorants, but quickly got fed up with the continual disturbance from the flighty waders and ducks and at 12:40, after taking several irritable pecks ('goosandering' perhaps?) at passing birds, it flew off and dropped onto Faversham Creek. Meanwhile amongst the many roosting Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plovers, Lapwings and Redshanks etc. on the flood at high tide there were 5 Little Stints, circa 50 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshanks and 1 Turnstone, plus a Green Sandpiper flew west. Also, Mike had 7 Turnstones along the foreshore east of the slipway, and a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over Sheppey east of the Ferry Inn. To quote Geoff and Mike from the 14th November last year "Another superb day at Oare Marshes"!

(Murray Wright et al.)

November 12th

(06:45-12:30) Bright and sunny with a light W wind. On the East Flood first thing there were 6 Ruff, 9 Pintail, circa 50 Wigeon, a pair of Tufted Ducks and 6 Mute Swans. Only around 100 Starlings left the roost in the reeds at around 07:00. In the paddocks/scrub there were 5 Goldcrests, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a male Sparrowhawk. Met Mike Stevens (fresh back from South Africa) and we wandered around the flood and down to Uplees and back. 3 Brent Geese had dropped onto the flood, and a Kingfisher flew towards the sluice. A Redpoll flew west. 19 Greylags were on the new acquisition before later flying to the West Scrape. With the tide on its way in 3 Greenshanks joined the roosting Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits. 3 Little Grebes were at the mouth of Faversham Creek and 7 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale, but no sign of any Eider this morning. While standing by the Sea Wall hide at around 09:30 we picked up a Snow Bunting flying across the creek towards us and continuing west along the sea wall - new for the year and the first I have seen at Oare for several years (and an Oare tick for Mike too!). Bouyed by this we headed west to Uplees. There were 8 Turnsones on the foreshore just east of the slipway and 2 Rock Pipits just to the west. 2 Marsh Harriers (a male and a female) were hunting over the West Flood. A flock of circa 100 Bar-tailed Godwits flew west along the Swale. At Uplees copse there were 3 Corn Buntings with one singing occasionally, but not a lot else of interest apart from the leucistic Curlew putting in its first appearance this autumn. A Common Buzzard was hanging in the breeze near Mocketts. Heading back we found 2 Twite (another first for the year) along the foreshore about 200 metres west of the Watch House, however, they immediately took flight and headed west. Back at the East Flood at high tide: 4 Little Stints, circa 75 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 13 Golden Plovers, circa 750 Lapwings, 3 Greenshank still, circa 100 Redshanks, circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits, now 8 Ruff (including the colour-ringed bird with the blue flag again) and 1 Turnstone. An enjoyable morning!

(Murray Wright)

November 9th

(06:30-11:00) Mostly bright with a freshening SW wind. No sign of the Whooper Swan again this morning just 9 Mute Swans and 12 Greylags on the East Flood at first light. Not a very high tide this morning and not too many waders came onto the flood: 1 Ruff, 5 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 10 Golden Plover, circa 300 Lapwings and 32 Black-tailed Godwits, plus amongst the many Teal and Shoveler there were 6 Pintail (plus five more flew over) and 40 Wigeon. 3 Lesser Redpolls were lingering around the paddocks again, plus a Siskin brielfy early on and several Redwings. 7 Turnstones were on the slipway. A Goldcrest landed on the Watch House and performed well in response to Julian's mobile phone! The 3 Common Eiders were on the Swale off the Sea Wall hide again and just close enough for a record shot. 10 Great Crested Grebes were counted on the Swale, and there was a flock of circa 200 Wigeon out near Horse Sands. A Common Buzzard and 4 Marsh Harriers were over Mocketts. A Greenshank was along Faversham Creek.

(Murray Wright)

November 8th

(06:30-10:00) A bright start, but cloud soon gathered on the strong S wind with rain later. A quiet morning. 4 of the ten Mute Swans present on the East Flood when I arrived flew off east while I was putting my wellies on, with the rest soon following - no sign of the Whooper Swan, but perhaps it had already left? On the East Flood at high tide: 20 Dunlins, 3 Ringed Plovers, 3 Golden Plovers, 19 Black-tailed Godwits and 17 Redshank, plus 5 Pintail, circa 30 Wigeon, 8 Greylags and 1 Little Egret. Just 2 Fieldfares seen this morning and no Redwings. 2 Lesser Redpolls were around the paddocks. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the West Flood. A Green Sandpiper flew west and dropped onto the West Flood. 3 Eider were on the Swale distantly from the Sea Wall hide looking east, plus 4 Great Crested Grebes, and a Merlin flew south across the Swale. 2 Common Buzzards were over Mocketts. A Swallow flew south-east over the East Flood. 2 Turnstones and a Rock Pipit were on the slipway. A pair of Stonechats were along the entrance road.

(Murray Wright)

November 6th

(06:15-11:00) Even more overcast and murky than yesterday morning, but no drizzle and no wind today, which was nice. I arrived a bit earlier today as a swan that flew off east when I arrived yesterday morning might have been the Whooper, but I couldn't be sure. Today I could just make out 11 swans at the east end of the East Flood, so I headed to the East Hide for a closer look. At about 06:40 it was just about light enough to make out the adult Whooper Swan with 10 Mute Swans (eight adults and 2 juveniles). The Whooper became quite vocal and was the first to fly off east at 06:58 (presumably onto Nagden Marshes - has anyone seen it out there recently?). The Mutes all followed during the next twenty minutes or so. Also on the East Flood amongst the many Lapwings, Teal and Shovelers (and circa 200 Coot - for those with an interest in Fulica atra!): 5 Pintail (2 drakes), circa 25 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 1 drake Tufted Duck, 9 Greylags and 2 Kingfishers. 3 Lesser Redpolls were lingering in the paddocks, plus only a dozen or so Fieldfares, 7 Redwings, 4 Mistle Thrushes, and a few Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. A Green Sandpiper and 1 Black-tailed Godwit were on the West Flood, plus a female Marsh Harrier over. Looking from Dan's Dock at around 09:20 several hundred duck, mostly Wigeon and smaller numbers of Pintail and Teal, flew high west from Mocketts on Sheppey. I walked down to Uplees, but there was now't of note, just 4 Great Crested Grebes on the Swale. 4 singing Cetti's Warblers and 3 pairs of Stonechats were noted today. Just as I was leaving the sun finally broke through!

(Murray Wright)

November 5th

(06:30-11:00) Overcast and murky with drizzly rain on and off and a brisk NW wind which swung around to a N later. 11 Mute Swans were on the East Flood until 06:45 when they'd all flown off east, plus 19 Greylags sixteen of which flew off west. A ringtail Hen Harrier was over the west side before heading off north to Sheppey. Met up with Geoff for a couple of hours. A Lesser Redpoll was in the paddocks, plus several Redwings and smaller numbers of Fieldfares than recently. A Goldcrest was in the hedge just south of the cottages. Plenty of 'pinging' from the Bearded Tits around the flood, but only a couple were seen in flight. A male Sparrowhawk flew west across the flood. 2 Rock Pipits were on the rocks in front of the Sea Wall hide. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the far side of Faversham Creek. 4 Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale. A Rock Pipit was in the car park with one or two more along the sea wall to the west. A Green Sandpiper and a single Black-tailed Godwit were on the West Flood. Geoff headed off to wrap presents and I returned to the car via Faversham Creek and back around the East Flood where there were 6 Pintail (three drakes and three ducks ), 35 Wigeon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit(!), circa 20 Snipe and 2 Little Egrets. 2 Swallows were feeding over the fields to the south before heading out over the flood and then flying off west. And that was it!

(Murray Wright)

November 4th

(07:30-11:00) On the East Flood: 250+ Lapwing, 120 Black-tailed Godwit, 15+ Snipe, 8 Greylag Geese and 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier. 8 Cetti's Warblers heard, 1 seen briefly. A flock of 4 Bearded Tits were seen by the Sea Wall hide - good sightings. views! 2 Eiders flew into the Swale, and landed, giving good views. 2-3 flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing in the trees to the north of the East Flood. A Kingfisher was seen on the West Flood.

(Francis Tusa)

2 Swallows flew east at around 15:30.

(John Bartlett)

November 3rd

(07:40-12:50) Grey, overcast and murky with light drizzle developing later and a brisk NE wind. Around 100 Fieldfares and 6 Redwings were still present in the paddocks/scrub this morning, plus 13 Blackbirds and a Goldcrest. 16 Black-tailed Godwits, a drake Pintail, 2 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher were noted on the East Flood. A Kingfisher was fishing in the pool in front of the West Hide. 2 immature drake Eiders were on the Swale most of the morning before flying off east. An Arctic Skua flew east along the Swale, 13 Kittiwakes flew west, 9 Great Crested Grebes were on the water and 2 Rock Pipits were on the rocks in front of the Sea Wall hide. As I left the hide a juvenile Pomarine Skua came over the East Flood and then headed east down the Swale - the first here this year. As I was putting my scope and tripod in the car to head off around 12:25 I heard geese coming in from the east - I picked out a small flock of 7 Pink-footed Geese, which came high over the flood and then joined up with skein of 26 more to the south, the whole flock then heading south-west - only the second time I have seen this species at Oare. A quiet morning that eventually came good!

(Murray Wright)

November 2nd

(07:00-09:00) Foggy first thing, but then bright, sunny and calm. Just a quick look this morning to check if there were any phalaropes or petrels hanging around after yesterday's stormy weather - there weren't! I heard the Whooper Swan calling through the fog and caught a glimpse of it flying off east shortly after I arrived. 5 Lesser Redpolls were resting in a hawthorn near the disabled parking bay before flying off west. A Chiffchaff was in the copse opposite the cottages. Plenty of Fieldfares and a few Redwings were present again. A Water Rail was flushed from the path to the West Hide. And then it was off to enjoy some of the excellent birds present in east Kent with the rest of the crowds.

(Murray Wright)

November 1st

(09:00-15:00) Driving rain on a strong NE wind all day. I headed for the Sea Wall hide for a seawatch. It was a bit slow going, but I persevered and was rewarded with two new species for the year. At around 11:50 I picked up a Grey Phalarope flying east and alighting on the water on several occasions before I lost it in the waves. About 25 minutes later I had another brief view of a phalarope landing on the Swale looking back towards the slipway, but frustratingly I couldn't relocate it in the scope. At 14:08 a Leach's Petrel appeared near the green Receptive buoy heading north across the Swale and being harassed by a Herring Gull. I watched it for a minute or two before it disappeared in the rain and I couldn't relocate it. Not the best view I've had of Leach's Petrel, but the first I've seen at Oare. Other than that I noted 2 Arctic Skuas (one flying east at 11:00 and the second chasing gulls over the West Flood at 13:30), 9 Gannets (groups of six and three), 28 Common Scoter (flocks of eight and seventeen, plus three resting on the water), 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (a drake and two ducks), 1 immature male Eider (the same bird as yesterday) which joined a flock of eight Common Scoters and flew west along the Swale, 9 Little Gulls, and 85 Kittiwakes. Also, a Merlin flew south across the Swale, 16 Avocets were on the mud in front of the hide, and 1 or 2 Rock Pipits were on the foreshore. With the weather and visibility deteriorating(!) I left at 15:00.

(Murray Wright)