Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

November 2007

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 Chris Abrams by clicking here.

Species List for 2007

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

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

November 29

I counted (at around 1.15pm) some 44 Avocets feeding in the shallows on the incoming tide on the mud flats  in front of the hide at the junction of the Swale and the Creek. They were accompanied by 2 Little Egrets and 2 Curlews. As the tide rose they flew off to the other side of the mouth of creek where they joined appox 20 Shelduck and another 8-10 Curlews amongst other waders. Later on the East flood there were assembled  a host of the usual suspects (Lapwing , Godwits , Dunlin), a large flock of Golden Plover which looked fantastic in the afternoon sun and several Ringed Plovers. The West  flood had a group of about 20 Wigeon feeding on the grassy areas next to the Flood.

(Mike Harrison)

An afternoon visit, 2-4. As the tide came so did the waders, by 1500 hours on the east flood there were: eight Bar-tailed Godwits, four Little Stints, well over 600 Golden Plovers, just two Ruff and one Common Snipe, 31 Ringed Plovers, 300+ Dunlin, a Grey Plover, 450+ Black Tailed Godwits and six Pintail. A stroll to sea wall hide produced nothing save a Cetti's Warbler by the car park and one, maybe two, Corn Buntings on bushes on the far side of the creek.

(Mike Stevens)

November 27

On a still but murky day, I started at the Slipway where there were two Turnstones. As I arrived at the seawall hide,  a Kingfisher was hovering for a prolonged period above the rocks. A Peregrine Falcon could be seen on a pylon east of the creek and Bearded Reedlings were much in evidence. Save for a few Great Crested Grebes, there was nothing on the water. From the east hide, I noted four Little Stints on the flood together with 151 Golden Plovers, 11 Bar-tailed Godwits, 560 Black-tailed godwits, 360+ Dunlin, three Grey Plovers, seven Ruff, one  Avocet, two Common Snipe and seven Pintail . Lapwings were much in evidence and there was the usual assortment of ducks but no Tufteds. En route back to the slipway, a male Hen Harrier appeared over the 'new' West Pool and made its way across the east flood - nothing, not even the Lapwings, was disturbed by a low level run past the east hide and eventually the bird disappeared south over the boatyard. Finishing where I began, at the slipway, again the water yielded nothing save a lone male Red- breasted Merganser to the west. By this time the light was dreadful and a weak drizzle had set in so........time to call it a day.

(Mike Stevens)

November 26

A morning visit (0830-1130).  Walked to Fowley Spit buoy area and circuit of east flood. Little Owl at usual roost on concrete slab; a smart drake Goldeneye flew by at Dan’s Dock, where there were two Rock Pipits. Two   Fieldfares in Uplees copse and c. 1300 Golden Plover along Uplees shoreline. The east flood had a good mix of waders towards high tide with at least 22 Bar-tailed Godwits with the Black-tails, and 14 Grey Plovers noted. Ringed Plover numbers were up with 30+ amongst the Dunlin and also in a separate flock. Four Stonechats toward the sluice and two very mobile Kingfishers around the sluice and creek. Two Red-breasted Mergansers at mouth of creek.

(Mike Roser)

A brief visit on a calm but mainly overcast morning. Nothing to report from the cottages/paddocks area and until 10.25 hours not much to report from any quarter. At that time I’d not long stationed myself at the sea wall hide when three Velvet Scoters flew upstream quite close in. Past the slipway, they veered off to the Sheppey shore and then continued westward. 20 or so Avocets crossed the Swale to Sheppey and there were frequent sightings of Marsh Harriers towards Shellness. On the East Flood, just before high tide, there were a couple of Pintail – earlier there had been more than a dozen – 17 Bar Tailed Godwits, 420+ Black Tailed Godwits, 15 Grey Plovers, 240+ Dunlins and 19 Ringed Plovers. No Little Stint – at least not seen by yours truly. A Merlin had been seen on the East Flood twice earlier in the morning. Access to the east hide was denied for a while but all in a good cause since the volunteers were giving it - and the other hides - a thorough cleaning. Good to see. Plaudits for Kevin and his team.

(Mike Stevens)

November 25

Sunny at first with a freshening NW wind and an incoming tide. Two Twite were flying restlessly around near to the car park. There was little of interest on the Swale but a Red-breasted Merganser flew east, 22 Avocets were at the mouth of the creek, two Turnstones were seen whilst the Harris Hawk performed well over Mocketts Hill. A Little Owl was calling to the east of the cottages whilst, to the west, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, two Fieldfares dropped into the paddock and another nine flew over west. On the east flood, one Little Stint was found and 18 Grey Plovers and two Bar-tailed Godwits arrived for a very high tide. At one point, a Peregrine caused panic over the flood and four of the recently scarce Gadwall circled the flood before heading off towards Sheppey.

(Geoff Burton, Murray Wright)

November 22

Arrived at 8. Initially damp and breezy but from late morning until departure at 4 the light was superb. Starting at the slipway, there were eight Turnstones (4 remained until late in the afternoon). A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the car park area and others were also heard behind the seawatch hide (and seen) near the west hide and in the vicinity of the cottages. In the latter area, a Little Owl was to be seen on the roof of the horsebox. From the west hide,  I noted a male Marsh Harrier , several Stonechats and  two Green Woodpeckers. On the 'new'  west pool there were Wigeon, Teal and Black-tailed Godwits.  On the east flood, just after high tide there were 600+ Black-tailed Godwits along with 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, about 300 Dunlin, a dozen Pintails, one Little Stint and a solitary Grey Plover. Early afternoon the Harris Hawk, a Rough Legged Buzzard and Common Buzzard were in the air over Mockett's Hill until the Rough-legged split off and headed towards the prison. The Harris Hawk was seen both earlier and later in the Mockett's Hill area while towards Shellness there were 12 Marsh Harriers in the air simultaneously. Mid-afternoon there were 25 Golden Plovers on the flats immediately in front of the hide and most of the Dunlin from the east flood had relocated there. On the Horse Sands, an hour or so later, there were at least 1000 Golden Plovers. Finally, just before the light faded,  Geoff Burton  picked out a Great Northen Diver fishing in the calm water beyond Horse Sands.

(Mike Stevens)

Arrived at 2.15 to enjoy the calm clear weather. The Little Stint was still on the flood and there were five Tufted Ducks resting at the back by the reedbed. A single Fieldfare was in the scrub opposite the cottages, a Greenshank could be heard up the creek towards the Shipwright's and there were four Linnets on the saltmarsh by the creek. I then joined Mike at the seawatch hide. Later, we met Kevin Duvall who has taken over the wardenship of Oare Marshes until June next year whilst Mike Enfield is on secondment. We discussed the plight of the west flood amongst other things!

(Geoff Burton)

November 21

A short visit, from 08:00 - 10:30 this morning, coinciding with high tide. Sadly no sign of the Shag while I was onsite, however, a nice scaly juvenile Great Northern Diver was some compensation showing well on the Swale off the seawatch hide. Also, eight Great Crested Grebes on the Swale and three Red-breasted Mergansers (2 drakes and a duck) in the mouth of Faversham Creek. There were two Little Grebes along the creek and a Common Seal just off the Shipwright's Arms. 12+ Bearded Tits were very vocal and active in the reeds at the east end of the East Flood and one of the Cetti's Warblers showed well there too. Two Peregrines were on the pylons looking east towards Nagden. On the East Flood over high tide: one Little Stint still, 13 Bar-tailed Godwits among several hundred Black-tailed Godwits, two Ruff, five Ringed Plovers, one Grey Plover, c75 Dunlin, 33 Pintail and two Little Egrets. The male Merlin was seen over the west 'flood' and a Green Sandpiper flew over. Three Corn Buntings flew SW over the entrance road. A Peregrine and the Harris's Hawk were around Mockett's Hill again. Also, a Red Admiral flew south over the Swale.

(Murray Wright)

November 20

An early morning visit at high tide. Cloudy, dull with rain constantly from about 8.30. A walk to the seawatch hide produced the hoped for Shag on the Swale at 7.35 but it flew out towards the buoys shortly afterwards. There was also seven Great Crested Grebes and five Red-breasted Mergansers there. There were four Turnstones on the rocls below the sea wall. A Water Rail showed well in the sewatch corner of the flood whilst a Greenshank called persistently from further up the creek towards the Shipwright's. No Fieldfares or Redwings could be found behind the floods. 11 Pintail were on the east flood. I left at 10.45 by which tiome I had been joined by Mike Stevens who stayed until 15.45. In addition he noted a male Hen Harrier flying west inside the sea wall, seven Ruff on the flood and 35 Mute Swans, 23 of which landed on the east flood.

(Geoff Burton, Mike Stevens)

November 19

A brief walk around the east  flood between 13.00-14.30 this afternoon.

A Shag was seen form the seawatch  hide and a Red-throated Diver aad two duck Red-breasted Mergansers were also present. On the flood there were over 200 Teal, c. 60 Shoveler, 104 Wigeon, six Pintail, one Little Stint, two Ruff and 35 Black tailed Godwits. There was also  40 Golden Plovers  on Horse Sands. Interestingly, a Merlin was seen walking about on a grassy island. It flew the length of the flood, skimming the water, and into another grassy bank and without spooking any of the other birds!

(Mike Roser)

November 15

A morning visit. From the west hide, there was a Green Sandpiper and a couple of Stonechats. The east flood had  Little Stint, six  Ruff, 12 Pintail and a handful of Snipe and Dunlin. 60 metres beyond the sluice, a Cetti’s Warbler showed briefly and others were heard behind the seawatch  hide and in the car park area. Also in the reedbed behind the Seawatch hide there was some Bearded Reedling activity with parties of 4, 6 and 7 showing well at various times. On the Swale, there were up to 14 Great Crested Grebes but little else. Just east of the slipway, on the rocks below the sea wall, a Kingfisher was seen making short work of a fish from a rock pool. On the flats there were eight Avocets and four Turnstones as well as small numbers of Redshanks, Grey Plovers, Curlews and Dunlin.  On pylons across the creek on Nagden Marshes there were two Peregrines. Sparrowhawk and Merlin were both reported and Marsh Harriers were noted crossing the Swale to Sheppey and on Sheppey.There were good numbers of Chaffinches in the cottages area and behind the east hide but fewer Fieldfares than of late. Two  Green Woodpeckers were on adjacent telegraph poles opposite the cottages.

(Mike Stevens)

November 14

Good coverage today with Mike Stevens or me present almost all day (8.15-4.00) with a cameo appearance from Murray Wright and a contribution from Alan Fossey.   A sunny clear day with a brisk northerly wind. At low tide, the Swale was very quiet so I concentrated on the floods, the “bushes” with a quick wxcursion to Dan’s Dock. On the east flood, there were 15 Pintail and a single Tufted Duck amongst the wildfowl and a Little Stint and 22 Ruff amongst the waders. Opposite the cottages and behind the east hide, three were still several Fieldfares but no Redwings were seen. Green and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen and a party of six Long-tailed Tits crossed into the cottage gardens. On the field to the weqwest of the access road there was a flock of 66 Skylarks. A Water Pipit flew west across the road in the direction of the west hide and, at 11 a.m., four adult Bewick’s Swans came in from the SE over both floods and headed across the Swale to Sheppey. Towards Dan’s Dock, the Little Owl was perched aside of the concrete slab, there were six Rock Pipits on the saltings and, in the area as a wholee, at least five Stonechats were seen.        

From midday, with the tide coming in, attention turned to the Swale. A juvenile Pomarine Skua had flown over Mike Gould’s heading west up the Swale but neither Mike or I saw it at Oare. However, Alan Fossey was in the sewatch hide and enjoyed close up views as it headed further up the Swale. I joined Mike by the seawatch hide up until about 1.30 when Murray took over. During the afternoon, 13 Little Auks were seen, most headed west but two, having landed on the water in front of the hide until they attracted the attentions of a Great Black-backed Gull, took off joining a flock of waders briefly before peeling  off over the east flood and continued to head inland. Murray picked out a small raft of c50 Common Scoters at some distance. Among them was a smaller duck with markings possibly suggesting Long-tailed (a drake Long-tailed Duck was seen with a flock of 50 Common Scoters off Shellness by Dave Davenport). A drake Velvet Scoter appeared briefly and showed well.

Marsh Harriers were much in evidence over the Swale and over Sheppey with one young male spending a considerable time 'hovering' over the Swale  making numerous passes as if it was about to pluck something from the water - an exhausted Little Auk, perhaps? A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over Sheppey and appeared to be forced to the ground by a Marsh Harrier which duly took up position very close by; the duo was then joined by a Crow and all 3 sat for some time as if assessing the situation before both the Marsh Harrier and the Crow made low passes over the Hen Harrier which jumped around a bit before the other two decided that they had made their point and flew off. Finally, a Peregrine was spotted by Murray heading over the water towards Seasalter ( the Peregrine not Murray), as it came nearer it was obvious that it was carrying prey and it was joined by another seemingly intent on getting the other to release the prey.

Another superb day at Oare Marshes!

(Geoff Burton. Mike Stevens)

November 13

10.15-1600: an initially dull, chill and windy day. I spent my entire time sea watching by the sea hide. However, on arable fields to the left of the access road, I noted 3 Red Legged Partridges and a Cetti's Warbler was vocal for a while in the car park. At 1215, 2 Little Auks flew up the Swale, mid-channel. Nothing of note was then seen until 1440 when Murray saw another Little Auk which flew in and dropped on the water immediately in front of the hide. It then progressed fairly slowly along the water line. It was present by the slipway at 1515 at least. Later a Merlin flew into the creek mouth before dropping over the sea wall on the opposite bank and finally 5 Red-breasted Mergansers (1m, 4f) flew into the creek mouth and bobbed around for some time.

(Mike Stevens)

Three Little Auks were on The Swale off Oare Marshes this afternoon along with 11 Bewick’s Swans (sitting on The Swale), 2 R-b Mergs and 3 Snow Buntings. (Miles Wheeler)

November 12

A Red-throated Diver was on the Swale off the slipway. The Cetti's Warbler was singing in the car park, the Little Owl on its concrete slab and there were two Rock Pipits at Dan's Dock. Nine Bewick's Swans were reported on the Swale, early afternoon at least, and may have been the birds seen flying over Lower Halstow at dusk.

(Mike Roser, Murray Wright)

A late report on bird information services of 11 Bewick's Swans, three Little Auks and three Snow Buntings.

November 11

A morning visit. Winds were fresh but more westerly than yesterday. There were 25 Ruff in the top field east of the road. Four Little Stints were on the east flood and nine Pintail. An hour's watch from the sea hide produced little other than seven Great Crested Grebes and three Red-breasted Mergansers on the Swale but I returned , with Murray Wright, to watch from the slipway as the tide came in, from 10.30 to 12. This proved more productive with a Little Auk flying up the Swale, landing a long way out opposite the slipway and then disappearing, and six Bewick's Swans which crossed the Swale towards Shellness and headed towards Capel Fleet (these were also seen at Seasalter). Other birds included four Kittiwakes, two Canada Geese flying south across the Swale, up to five Turnstones around the slipway, a Merlin south across the Swale (one seen earlier on the east flood), three Rock Pipits and the ever-present Harris Hawk over Mocketts Hill.

A call from Barry Wright had me returning in the afternoon to see a superb Leach's Petrel that was lingering off the slipway and two Little Auks on the water's edge just west of the slipway (Barry and John Tilbrook had four Little Auks altogether). We were joined by Julian Russell and we watched these birds until dusk.

(Geoff Burton)

November 10
I arrived today as the tide was falling. I met Mick Sinden who told me that there had been 4 Little Stints on the flood and 100+ Dunlins. There was only one Little Stint left for me. A Pomarine Skua had flown up The Swale at 14.00 before turning and flying over the reserve and away inland.  It was found initially amongst a flock of a dozen Kittiwakes of which there was another flock of some 30 birds. There were a dozen Ruff on the flood and a further 2 were feeding in the field before the coastguard cottages along with around 100 Golden Plovers and Lapwings. There were around 150 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were also in the flock. I noted 5 Pintails feeding on the flood and there were about 40 Wigeon, which had obviously managed to avoid the wldfowlers, and a Kingfisher flew across, landing on the struts supporting the Cattle bridge. At 15.00 a young Peregrine flew low across the reserve and disappeared chasing Fieldfares behind the East hide. Someone also reported seeing a Greenshank.

It never ceases to astonish me that wildfowling is permitted right beside a nature reserve. Conservation bodies carefully create the correct habitats to attract and sustain birds and the wildfowlers cynically take advantage of that. It's disgraceful and they should be ashamed of themselves. There must be something that can be done to stop it! (Chris Abrams)

November 9
08.00-12.00 - Nothing to report from the cottages/West Hide area on a beautifully clear and sunny morning featuring a strong Northerly wind which consequently made it feel decidedly chilly. With high tide approaching the species and numbers on the East Flood was very much as noted yesterday when I failed to record the 6 Pintail. So for the record there were 6 Pintails on the East Flood today and about a dozen more Grey Plovers and Ringed Plovers and one fewer Little Stint than yesterday. A couple of hours spent at the Sea Hide went totally unrewarded although perhaps surprisingly, given the strength of the wind, there were considerable movements of waders, Brent Geese, Crows and Shelducks to and fro Sheppey and the 'mainland' and Bearded Reedlings were showing well in the reedbeds. Just prior to my departure I returned to the East Hide and noted a Merlin contentedly lunching on a small wader. (Mike Stevens)

A short visit in the afternoon failed to find any refugees from the gales of the morning. However, a Spotted Redshank dropped into the creek, remaining only briefly, before flying off up the Swale.

(Geoff Burton)

November 8

On a breezy but reasonably mild day the highlight was a swallow picked up by Murray in the vicinity of the Watchhouse. Other than that not a great deal to report however for the record....   Cottages to West Hide   Murray had a couple of Cetti's and there were a number of Fieldfares and Chaffinches around. Murray reported a couple of Redwings in the area.   East side:   More Fieldfares and Chaffinches along the path to the sluice, a Kingfisher by the sluice and in the general area of the Sea Hide there was some Bearded Reedling activity and a couple of Rock Pipits were seen. The Harris Hawk was showing over Sheppey and Marsh Harriers were seen on both sides of the water. Two Peregrines were on the pylons across the creek and a Merlin made a few sorties over the flood.   East Flood   13 Bar-Tailed Godwits, 14 Ruffs, 5 Little Stints, 7 Grey and 2 Golden Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Avocets (Murray earlier had 28 in the creek mouth while 100 were reported heading over the water to Sheppey). Well over 600 black Tailed Godwits by high tide and about 300 Dunlins. Finally, there were 6 Turnstones at the top of the slipway until the inevitable dog disturbed them. (Mike Stevens)

November 7

A morning visit on the incoming tide. The lower water levels on the east flood proved attractive to the smaller waders and there were 350 Dunlin and four Little Stints on the east flood. Also 21 Ruff, 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank. Duck included six Pintail and three Tufted Duck. There were five Great Crested Grebes on the Swale,  accompanied by a duck Common Scoter and two Red-breasted Mergansers flew up the Swale. The windy conditions proved popular with raptors over Mocketts Hill and, as well as several Marsh Harriers, there was a Buzzard, a Peregrine and the Harris Hawk, all hanging on the wind. Four Red-legged Partridges were in the fields above the cottages and a few Fieldfares and a Redwing plus one Jay were in the scrub west of the cottages and the hedges behind the east flood

(Geoff Burton, Murray Wright)

We  visited today at low tide and took a leisurely walk around the East Flood. There were c200 Dunlins on the mud of the estuary with 3 Curlews and 3 Avocets. A redhead Red-breasted Merganser flew upriver and there were 3 Great-crested Grebes off the point. A Bearded Tit called from the reeds and a Cetti's Warbler sang near he car park. Near the hide a flock of 30 Fieldfares flew over and a Green Woodpecker also flew in. From the hide we located 6 Snipe, 9 Ruff, c250 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Little Stint. The Harris Hawk and a Marsh Harrier could be seen over Sheppey and another Marsh Harrier was over the Flood.

(Chris Abrams, Eustace Barnes)

November 6

A Wheatear was present in the "paddocks" opposite the car park.

(Andy Bowers)

November 2

A morning visit on a falling tide. At this time of the year, particularly at low tide, the east flood is not the focus of attention. There were two Pintail there whilst, late morning, there were 23 Ruff. Bird of the day, was a Lapland Bunting which flew NW over the visitor centre heading towards Sheppey at 7.15 a.m. There was a Twite around the car park on the telegraph wires and fence around the boat park. There were 16 Avocets at the mouth of the creek, a Kingfisher was perched on the wreck and six Rock Pipits were counted between the sluice and Dan's Dock. One Little Owl was on the concrete slab and two were heard calling to each other in the scrub. There were three Jays together in the scrub. Finally, a Water Pipit again flew across the road and dropped unseen into the west flood pools.

(Geoff Burton)

Twite © Geoff Burton

Fieldfare © Geoff Burton

November 1

Four Siskins flew west over the cottages early morning

(Murray Wright)

On a morning visit, Kingfishers were in evidence on both east and west sides. A Green Sandpiper was reported on the west side. A total of 5 Cetti's Warblers were seen. There were 16 Avocets in the mouth of the creek and 2 Marsh Harriers were seen over Nagden. On the East flood there was one Little Stint and six Pintail. A few Snipe had been noted but when a Merlin shot through the flood at least 80 took to the air.

(Mike Stevens)

An afternoon visit on a rising tide. Two Little Stints and 15 Ruff were on the east flood. Two Kingfishers flew over the flood. A Green Sandpiper was on one the west flood pools and 32 Avocets were at the mouth of the creek. A Water Pipit flew across the east flood dropping down on the west flood. Later there were possibly three dropping into the west flood. A Merlin was seen twice hunting over the east flood and there were two Peregrines, a pair by size, were on the pylons. The Harris Hawk was seen over Mocketts Hill with two Marsh Harriers. Two Little Owls were on the sloping concrete slab near Dan's Dock.

(Geoff Burton)