Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

October 2007

Kent Wildlife Trust

KWT has an unmissable opportunity to achieve huge gains for wildlife by purchasing a 35 acre extension to this popular reserve. Click here to find out how you can help.

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.

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

October 31

Good numbers of Fieldfares and rather fewer Redwings around the cottages. On the east flood, immediately prior to high tide, there were 640 Black-tailed Godwits, eight  Bar-tailed Godwits, three Little Stints, 310 Dunlins, three Avocets, 15 Ringed Plovers, one Gadwall and 17 Snipe. A Cetti's Warbler and some Bearded Reedling activity in the area behind the Sea Hide was reported and Stonechats were  much in evidence. There was also a Black-headed Gull with a very distinct pink flush to breast and belly on the flood. 

(Mike Stevens)

As Mike was already on site, I left the counts to him (see above). In addition, I noted a male Hen Harrier which came west across the creek and along the seaward side of the east flood, a Peregrine on the Nagden pylons and, on the east flood, ten Grey Plovers and ten Ruff.

(Geoff Burton)

October 30

I started by the slipway as the tide was reaching its height. Across the water there was a very large number of Brent Geese, maybe over 1,000, and about 90 Shelducks. The Harris Hawk was flying with a Marsh Harrier, occasionally putting down on adjacent bushes, and then off they went again. This continued for well over an hour. A walk to the Sea Hide was unrewarding but for the sight of seven Marsh Harriers in the air together in the vicinity of the turbines; simultaneously, there two more crossing the water towards Sheppey.

As the light was fading over the East Flood,  I counted two  Little Stints, seven Ringed Plovers, 14 Golden Plovers, three Grey Plovers, c 420 Black-tailed Godwits, in excess of 170 Dunlins and two Knot.  

Also, two Curlew Sandpipers were reported as were a dozen Common Snipe and five Ruff. Earlier in the day, two Bewick’s Swans were reported, over the reserve heading north.

(Mike Stevens)

October 29

0800-1100 walked west side of reserve past Uplees towards Conyer in lovely weather. Little Owl top end reserve; 16 Fieldfares in copse; 1 Corn Bunting; 480 Golden Plovers on shoreline mud; 24 Bar T Godwits; 5 Grn Woodpkrs using seawall banks; 80 Knot Sheppey bank---Stonechats, Linnets, Goldfinches and Greenfinches all on seed heads of Golden Samphire which has a big spread  on seawall opp Fowey Spit buoy.22 Gt C Grebes in South Channel and in excess of 2000 Gdn Plover roosting on mid-channel mud bank---large concentrations of waders and wildfowl further towards Conyer---always feel this area underwatched.Joined up with Mike S who will no doubt advise E side. Cettis heard from carpark along seawall. (Mike Roser)

09.00-16.00 On arrival there was little to see in the cottages area but for a few Fieldfares and a couple of Redwings. Approaching high tide there were c 530 Black Tailed Godwits, 11 Snipe ( earlier Mike Rozer had 15), 320 Lapwings, 3 Ruff (Mike had 5) 4 Avocets, 8 Golden Plovers (a few less than Mike had seen upstream!) , 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Knots, 1 Turnstone, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Little Stints and 1 Ringed Plover. Birds of prey had been notably absent in the early part of the day but eventually I recorded 6 Marsh Harriers (over Nagden, fields to the West and over East Flood), 1 Merlin (East Flood) and 1 Sparrowhawk (fields beyond the West Hide.) Around the reserve I saw 7 Stonechats (mostly on the West side), Cetti's were heard near the car park (by Mike) and near the West Hide. Looking out from the Sea Hide there were numerous Brent Geese on the water, stretching halfway across the estuary. Mike counted c 2,200 recently and there must have been somewhere around that number today. Otherwise a Water Rail showed briefly in the reedbeds to the North of the East Flood and bird of the day was a Bittern that flew in from the south, passed low over the Godwits on the East Flood and disappeared into the reeds directly opposite the East hide. (Mike Stevens)

October 28

Cloudy, dull with a fresh SW wind and a very low tide. On the east flood, there were four Pintail, a Little Stint and ten Ruff joined as the tide came in by a Curlew Sandpiper (seen earlier on the mudflats). A Turnstone and ten Avocets were at the mouth of the creek whilst nine House Martins flew west over the floods and three Swallows south over the cottages. Two Rock Pipits were on the rocks just east of the slipway. There were 40-50 Fieldfares behind the floods.

(Geoff Burton, Murray Wright)

October 26

We visited today just before high tide. All was much as yesterday. There were 450 Black-tailed Godwits on the East Flood along with 9 Avocets, 4 Grey Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Golden Plover. There were 15 Common Snipe and 1 Ruff. The Pintail was still present. A Cetti's Warbler sang from the bush beside the car park and another was near the seawatching hide. Bearded Tits were in evidence and some showed briefly. A Stonechat was near the East hide and 40 Fieldfares flew over calling loudly.

(Chris Abrams, Mike Gould)

Following a successful outing to Bishopstone and Reculver I arrived at the Marshes about one hour after high tide on a dull and misty day. There were Fieldfares dotted around trees opposite the cottages and little else. On the East Flood I counted 520+ Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Bar Tailed, 2 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 19 Knots, 15 Snipe, 6 Ruffs, 140+ Dunlins and handfuls of Golden and Grey Plovers. Reportedly there had been many more Golden Plovers present earlier until a Merlin appeared and they opted to leave. As I walked around the East Flood there were more Fieldfares and Redwings to be seen in trees behind the East Hide, 2 Rock Pipits by the sluice, a deal of Bearded Reedling activity, just 1 Stonechat and a lone Goldcrest feeding in the bushes in the NW corner of the car park - don't think I've seen one on the Reserve before other than in the Conifers near the cottages and then not often. There was nothing on the Flats that hadn't been seen on the East Flood save 17 Curlews. (Mike Stevens)

October 25

I visited at high tide today at around midday. The weather was cold, dank and bleak and I only stayed for about 45 minutes. On the East Flood was a smaller number of Black-tailed Godwits, around 350, 10 Grey Plovers, 150 Dunlins, 1 Ruff, 15 Common Snipe, 6 Avocets and c150 Redshanks. A Spotted Redshank was reported to me as being present but I couldn't find it. A Pintail was amongst the ducks on the East Flood and 20 Wigeon were on the new western scrape. I checked out the wooded area near the cottages but there was very little to be found. (Chris Abrams)

October 24

Seven Red-legged Partridges in the ploughed field west of the road.

(Murray Wright)

October 23

An early start with the hope of finding the shrike immediately dented by the foggy conditions. However, there was a couple of hundred metres of visibility in places but no sign of the shrike. I deserted the scrub to look for Goldcrests which are often seen in the conifers on the southern end of the cottages. I soon heard one but could not see it. A movement in the bushes on the opposite side of the road, revealed a small warbler with a lot of bling which, after a couple of anxious minutes, showed itself to be a Pallas's Warbler. It performed well for a minute or so, crown stripe, yellow rump etc, but then flew across the road into the conifers and no doubt the gardens beyond. A few minutes phoning around but then no further sign of the bird which may just have settled inaccessibly in the cottage gardens. A new bird for Oare Marshes! Other birds noted in the area included several Goldcrests, perhaps 6-7, three Long-tailed Tits, a Jay and four Lesser Redpolls heading west. A Ruff was on the ploughed field west of the road. On the east flood, there were four Avocets, one Ringed Plover, one Little Stint, three Curlew Sandpipers, 250 Black-tailed Godwits and a Bar-tailed Godwit. A Green Sandpiper was seen over the west side. A Rock Pipit was seen near the sluice and another two were along the sea wall. A total of eight Stonechats were seen in the area. Looking over to Sheppey, a Buzzard and ringtail Hen Harrier were seen whilst a Rough-legged Buzzard, presumably the one seen earlier in the day at Elmley, was seen by Denis Whittaker flying east below Mocketts Hill towards Shellness. The Harris Hawk was also seen on the hill perched on a bush.

The fog cleared at about 9 but revealed no shrike and there was no further sign of the Pallas's Warbler despite many hours devoted to finding it.

(Geoff Burton)

October 22

Alerted by a passing reference (David Payne on kosnet) to the presence of a Great Grey Shrike seen in the scrub behind the west hide at 8 a.m., I despatched myself to the scene arriving at 1.40 p.m. Unfortunately, the trail had gone cold and there was no sign of the bird. However, I did note the presence of many thrushes including at leat 50 Fieldfares, many Blackbirds and a few Song Thrushes and Redwings as well as a single Mistle Thrush. There was a flock of 50 Goldfinches and two Yellowhammers (the latter very scarce now breeding in the area has ceased). There was also a Merlin hunting over the scrub. A quick look at the east flood and the Swale revealed very little but there was a "puffed" up Peregrine on the pylons over Nagden Marshes.

(Geoff Burton)

October 21

A male Hen Harrier flew east over the East Flood and across Faversham Creek at 08:40. In the glassy calm and bright sunny conditions a Puffin was picked out on the Swale looking towards the "Receptive" green buoy at circa 10:00 - after 10 minutes it took off and flew west along the Swale towards me before circling a couple of times (presumably getting re-orientated) and then heading back out east gaining a bit of height. Whilst following it in my scope, hoping it would turn back, it was suddenly hit and taken by a Peregrine, which carried it off and was shortly mobbed by a second Peregrine (presumably the two birds which were on the pylons earlier) - a sad end for my second Oare Puffin. Also noted this morning:- 5 Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud around the slipway; on the freshly tilled fields just south of the cottages - 1 male Ruff, 2 Golden Plovers, circa 300 Lapwings, 79 Stock Doves, circa 25 Fieldfares and 11 Skylarks; 8 Stonechats and 5 singing Cetti's Warblers around the reserve; lots of Bearded Reedling activity including a flock of 9 flying high over the East Flood several times; an immature Marsh Harrier over the East Flood; circa 25 Fieldfares, 2+ Redwings and 4 Long-tailed Tits in the paddocks; and the escaped Harris Hawk perched in bushes at the foot of Harty Hill on Sheppey.

(Murray Wright)

Arrived just before Murray left. On the east flood there was a Little Stint and eight Ruff. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen opposite the cottages, where there was a Little Owl in the scrub and a male Lesser Redpoll, new for the year, in the hedge by the path to the west hide. A Green Sandpiper was heard on the west side, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew west from the direction of Shellness to Mocketts Hill and three Great Crested Grebes were at the mouth of the creek.

(Geoff Burton)

October 20th

4 Snipe, 1 Little Stint.  (I.Hardy)

October 19

An afternoon visit on the incoming tide. A beautiful, calm and sunny afternoon. There was the beginnings of muddy margins to the east flood but not a lot of note. A Little Stint and Greenshank amongst the waders and four Pintail and a Gadwall amongst the duck. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a few Fieldfares were around the cottages, a Peregrine was on the Nagden pylons and at least one Curlew Sandpiper was with Dunlin by the slipway.

(Geoff Burton)

October 18

I met up with Murray shortly after 08.00 on a bright but chilly morning. A sortie to the west hide proved fruitless and there was little to be seen on the east flood save c25 Snipe, 1 Common Tern, 1 Little Stint, 1 Pintail, 1 Golden Plover, 17+ Wigeons and 1 Spotted Redshank over. Behind the hide and walking towards the Sea Wall we saw a party of 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Stonechats and a Peregrine on a pylon across the creek. Murray noticed 2 Ducks on the water betwen the Creek mouth and Castle Coot. Prolonged viewing and deliberation led us to conclude that they were very probably Scaup and this was confirmed when later in the day Mick Sinden and I returned to the same vantage point by which time the birds were in the mouth of the Creek and well within digiscoping range. En route back to the East Flood there was a Cetti's Warbler showing well but briefly at the top of the elder bush just beyond the Sea Hide and a handful of Curlew Sandpipers among the few waders on the flats.

From the East hide at about 1430 hours Mick and I saw 4 Bar-tailed godwits, 10 Avocets, 19 Grey Plovers including one in something closely approaching breeding plumage and 2 Little Stints. As we arrive at the slipway, everything on the flood took to the air (reportedly spooked by a Sparrowhawk) so that by the time that we got to the viewing pull-in there were few Black-tailed Godwits and no small waders remaining. However as high tide approached, and despite a Peregrine flying high overhead, I counted 500 + Black-tailed Godwits, 89 Golden Plovers, 3 Little Stints and 6 Curlew Sandpipers. Flocks of 40 Fieldfares were reported from fields in the vicinity of the West Hide and on bushes on the other side of the creek.

Finally my 2007 Oare bogey bird was laid to rest when, just as I was leaving, a Water Rail sauntered out of the vegetation by the bridge near the pull-in and disappeared under the bridge but briefly to be seen again. Marvellous!

(Mike Stevens)

October 17

A mid-late morning visit on a low but rising tide. It was sunny, after overnight rain, and the winds had turned and freshened to the NW. The east flood was still in full flood but, with the plank removed from the sluice, water was pouring away. One Little Stint, one Knot, one Ruff and two Greenshank were amongst the waders there. At least three Curlew Sandpipers were on the mud to the west of the slipway whilst a Rock Pipit and a Wheatear were on the adjacent sea wall. A Chiffchaff was calling from the trees opposite the cottages whilst, towards Uplees, a Buzzard was being mobbed by a flock of crows.

(Geoff Burton)

October 16

We visited at high tide which was at about 2.30 pm. I was sad to see how high the water levels were and the waders were forced onto the islands to roost. Mike tells me this evening the good news that he has now removed a board from the sluice and that water levels will now drop again. Walking around the East flood Bearded Tits were in evidence and there were a couple of Stonechats near the seawatching hide. From the East Flood hide we located the juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher once again amongst the Black-tailed Godwits of which there were around 600. There was one Greenshank, a single Ruff, 150 Common Redshanks, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Snipe, 9 Avocets, 12 Golden Plovers and one Grey Plover. A single Bar-tailed Godwit and a lone Knot were amongst the Black-tailed Godwits. A drake Pintail was present and a Buzzard flew south over the Swale and across the western side of the reserve. 2 Marsh Harriers could be seen on the other side of The Swale. A Cettis Warbler sang from the thicket on the way to the west hide. (Chris Abrams, Eustace Barnes)

October 15

A late afternoon visit at high tide. The water level is still very high and the number of small waders using the east flood as a roost was mininmal. There was one Little Stint and a few Dunlin. The larger waders included eight Avocets and one Greenshank. The flock were disturbed several times, by a Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier and, unfortunately, a mink which swam across the back of the flood. On one of these occasions, a flock of 85 Snipe were counted in flight over the flood. Duck included 22 Wigeon and seven Pintail. There were no Ruff on the flood, presumably as there were no feeding areas, but three came in later to roost for the night. One Swallow was over the east flood. In the trees opposite the cottages, there were single Fieldfare and Redwing. A pair of Gadwall were in the dyke west of the old SE scrape. Four Curlew Sandpipers were with Redshank on the creek as the mud became exposed, and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the mud west of the slipway.

(Geoff Burton)

October 12

A damp and misty start to the day. As I drove past the arable fields leading to the reserve, a Sparrowhawk flew low to the left. Setting off for the west side,  I noted 3 Green Woodpeckers, each in close proximity on various telegraph poles. Also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. The Cetti's Warbler was in its usual place near the entrance to the path to the West Hide. At the hide there was a Green Woodpecker behind and a Cetti's Warbler. A Bearded Reedling was seen in reedbeds to the west of the hide - first time I've seen one in that location, I think. A Stonechat was noted and a Kingfisher zipped along the towards the fishing lakes.

En route to the Sea Wall and Dan's Dock I noted a Green Sandpiper at the car park end of the East Flood, 4 Stonechats and a Marsh Harrier west along the sea wall. From the wall above the slipway I saw 37 Dunlins, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, 36 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Grey Plovers and a Turnstone; all to the west. To the east there were 1 Curlew, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 159 Black Tailed Godwits, I Bar Tailed Godwit, 6 Grey plovers and 1 Avocet.

On the west Flood there were 4 Pochards visible and little else.  The Harris Hawk flew over  towards Sheppey and 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting the fields. Nothing to report from the Dan's Dock area except a great improvement in the weather conditions and a Great Crested Grebe on the water. At the copse there was 1 Northern Wheatear and a Comon Buzzard was seen over Sheppey towards the prison.

Returning along the sea wall my attention was attracted to 4 Bearded Reedlings feeding in the reed tops. Nothing to report but a couple of Stonechats as I continued along the sea wall to the East Hide. As I arrived everything on the Flood went up having been disturbed by a Merlin (reported). Also reported was a Fieldfare in trees behind the Hide. As a result of the Merlin's activities at least half of the Golden Plovers disappeared together with some of the smaller waders. Remaining were about 600 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Knot (6  were reported earlier), 1 Little Stint (2 earlier) and a couple of Curlew Sandpipers. Golden Plover numbers were down to 157. A fox was seen near the reedbeds on the northern side of the Flood.

Finally, a quick scan around the cottages area produced 3 Fieldfares in the treetops and 2 Redwings over calling in worsening light.

(Mike Stevens)

I arrived for a short early morning visit (I left at 9.00). The first thing of note was that the east flood was full of water; no muddy margins at all. I assumed that was due to rainfull but, later, on reaching the sluice, I saw that the removed wooden plank was back in place. I would like to know why?

Mike has done a much more thorough survey of the birds but I also noted 22 Greylag Geese, a Pintail, three Pochard (which flew towards the west flood), a Tufted Duck, a Little Stint and six Ruff on the east flood. A Fieldfare and two Mistle Thrushes were in the trees opposite the cottages, a Chiffchaff was in the hedge behind the east hide, pairs of Stonechats were on what used to be the SE scrape and towards the sea wall, a Greenshank was along the creek and a male Sparrowhawk flew low over the reeds behind the sea wall.

(Geoff Burton)

October 11

What a change in the weather after yesterday! Sunny, warm and little in the way of a breeze. Walking down from the area of the cottages (1 Stonechat, 1 Great Spotted  Woodpecker and 1 Cetti's Warbler) I met Mick Sinden at the viewing pull-in and we were shortly joined by Murray carrying a dead grass snake. Earlier he'd had 2 Redwings in the paddocks etc area and a Grey Wagtail further to the west. Later in the afternoon I, too, saw the Redwings and in the vicinity of the West Hide noted 1 Green Wodpecker and 2 Cetti's.From the hide I saw 2 Stonechats and 1 Green Sandpiper in flight. Murray having departed at about 1000 hours, Mick and I decided to seek out Bearded Reedlings, Mick armed with his impressive-looking photographic equipment and me with my digiscoping kit. We were not disappointed since we witnessed a good deal of activity; quite apart from the Bearded Reedlings which included a party of 8 that flew over our heads pinging the while, we had frequent but brief views of a Cetti's Warbler - Mick got photos; I didn't - and at least 1 Reed Warbler that seemed to be following the Cetti's around. All this from the Sea Wall between the sluice and the Sea Hide. A male sparrowhawk made its presence known on the Flood, later in the day a Peregrine tried the same tactics but neither seemed to meet with any immediate success. At High Tide I counted:

287 Redshanks, 750+ BlackTailed Godwits (not one Bar-Tailed today after yesterday's multiple numbers), 700+ Golden Plovers, 37 Dunlins, 2 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, I Knot, 17 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshanks, 7 Common Snipe, 7 Avocets and just 2 Ruffs. A lone and seemingly injured Blackwit was desultorily feeding right in front of the viewing pull-in and later immediately across the road. Wigeon numbers were slightly increased over yesterday but I couldn't find the Pintail. There were certainly more small waders on the Flood but the only area from which they could be seen was back at the sea wall beyond the Sluice and having come from there I lacked the will to trek back there again - signs of old age, I fear. 

A quite splendid day! (Mike Stevens)

October 10

Arriving just before high tide (1230) on a damp and dismal day, a quick scan around the paddocks area and fields to the west produced little of note except 2 Marsh Harriers. A third caused widespread alarm when it flew over the East Flood about one hour plus later. On the east flood at high tide, there were 600 + Black Tailed Godwits, 16 Bar Tailed Godwits, 3 Little Stints, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 137 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, 174 Dunlins, 10 Avocets, 1 Pintail, 16 Wigeon and 5 Knot. The reedbeds produced nothing save 1 Bearded Reedling in flight. Large numbers of Brent Geese off Sheppey and Seasalter and 27 over the flood.

(Mike Stevens)

October 9

Snatched a few hours before the rain set in. The tide was low but rising. The Long-billed Dowitcher was back on the east flood. There were two Little Stints there and, as the tide rose, six Knot and nine Avocets joined them. Two Wigeon and a Pintail were also there. On the mud just west of the slipway there was a Whimbrel and 13 Curlew Sandpipers amongst the Dunlin and Ringed Plovers. A Green Sandpiper dropped into unseen pools on the west flood, and to the west of Dan's Dock a Little Owl and a Wheatear were perched on concrete blocks. Opposite the cottages there were Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Chiffchaff and five Long-tailed Tits. There was also a Chiffchaff in the car park bushes.

(Geoff Burton)

October 8

08.00-12.00

Kicking off at the Paddocks /cottages area; 

1 Jay, 1 GS Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti’s Warbler 

E Flood; 

650+ BlackTailed Godwits, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 7 Avocets, 12 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, 6 Ruffs, 217 Dunlins, 270 Redshanks, 6 Common Snipes, 6 Knots, 500+ Golden Plovers

Reedbeds etc

2 Stonechats and 1 Cetti’s nr Sea Hide, 1 Cetti’s Warbler by car park, Some Bearded Reedling activity, more heard than seen 

Sheppey 

Harris Hawk and Marsh Harrier over, 2 Brent Geese on Shoreline

There was also a Rock Pipit along sea wall ‘twixt slipway and Sea Hide

(Mike Stevens)

October 7
We arrived at 9.45am, high tide and the weather was clear, sunny and very still but it didn't stay that way for long. There were 3 showy male Bearded Tits and a very active Cetti's  Warbler flitting around and calling in the reeds by the car park.
Highlights on the East Flood included 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Avocet, 2  Little Stint, 3 Ruff, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Knot, 25+ Dunlin, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 400+ Golden Plover, 6 Snipe and 5 Curlew Sandpipers (1 adult and 4 juveniles).
Another Cetti's Warbler was heard in the bushes near the disabled car  park and then another was heard soon after in the reeds towards the  west flood hide.
A female Marsh Harrier was seen around 2pm over the west of the reserve. There was a Stonechat near Dan's Dock. A Wheatear (I'd guess it was the Greenland sub species) was seen on  the sea wall near the watch house. 47 Wigeon flew high over the Swale. A little later 26 Brent Geese  flew west up the Swale and a few minutes later 21 were seen flying east. (Gavin Coultrip)

October 6

I arrived this afternoon at low tide and, predictably there were few waders on the scrape. There were still 4 Little Stints, 7 Ruff, 4 Golden Plovers, 6 Snipe, c50 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot and about 70 Redshank. There was a single Pintail.

Walking around the flood I counted 30 Grey Plovers, 6 Avocets on this side of The Swale and another 14 on the far side. I located 4 Curlew Sandpipers and there were c200 Dunlins, c70 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 15 Curlews. There were 5 Stonechats and Bearded Tits called from the reeds. However, as the easterly wind was strengthening they stayed low in the reeds out of sight. (Chris Abrams)

October 5

I arrived this afternoon at low tide just after 14.00hrs. There were c20 black-tailed Godwits on the East Flood and checking through them I had a very brief glimpse of a bird I could only think was a dowitcher. Eventually I had a brief better view when I was able to confirm my id. The flock flew and I managed to locate the bird just before it landed noting the slim white strip up its back and the whilte line across the secondaries. Frustratingly, the bird managed to completely disappear amongst the small group of waders  and afforded occasionally brief but convincing views for short intervals. Occasionally it chased other waders with its bill held upwards. It looked quite a grey individual and we thought it was a juvenile heading into first winter plumage. Later I saw it really well and the bird was quite brown, clearly a juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher as the tertials were dark centred with clean buff edgings. Geoff  Burton managed some digiscoped images and hopefully these will appear on the site soon. Oare seems definitely the best place to see this species in the country!

I had a brief time to look at other species, noting 3 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers,1 Whimbrel and c20 Ruff. Jerry Warne saw 4 Pintails on the flood. As high tide was approaching wader numbers on the flood were increasing but sadly I had to leave. (Chris Abrams, Eustace Barnes)

5 Stonechats – one in field opposite the viewing pull-in and 4 near the Sea Hide. 1 Winchat also in the latter location – 2 earlier reported. Despite it being a very calm almost breezeless day there was hardly any sign of Bearded Reedling activity in the reedbeds. One male Reed Bunting was noted.

A Cetti’s Warbler was near car park and one was near entrance to path to West Hide.
Mudflats :

West of slipway – 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 28 Ringed Plovers, 27 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black Tailed Godwits.

East of slipway – 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 20+ Dunlins, 5 Grey Plovers

Creek - 14 Curlews, 3 Whimbrels, 127 Redshanks and upward of 30 Shelducks

East Flood – on arrival – 8 Little Stints. Later, birds visible had reduced to 5

230 Black-Tailed Godwits, 20 Ruffs, 5 Common Snipe and 102 Golden Plovers.

A Red Kite was reported as being seen over the marshes earlier in the day. (Mike Stevens)

October 4

I arrived at Oare at about 15 00hrs having spent a morning at Reculver eventually successfully getting good views of one of 2 YB Warblers present. A bonus was a pied fly which, just as I was leaving, appeared at the edge of the copse for a moment and then flew west.   Paddocks area - nothing save 1 Cetti's   E Flood   420 Black Tailed Godwits 370 Golden Plovers 5 Avocet 4 Little Stints 1 Curlew Sandpiper (Geoff Burton had more on the flats) 5 knot 6 Common Snipe   Geoff, among other things, reported 4 Stonechats in the Sea Hide area. (Mike Stevens)  

October 3

I visited this afternoon from 15.00-17.30. There was little on the East Flood so I walked around the flood. On the mud were about 150 Dunlin, c50 Ringed Plovers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 11 Grey Plovers. A lone Canada Goose was sitting on The Swale. Bearded Tits were again much in evidence. Cetti's Warblers called from half way to the seawatching hide and about 50 yards beyond the hide. There were 2 Stonechats. In the creek were 13 Avocets, 9 of which made their way onto the East Flood as the waters rose. There were 6 Curlews, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Little Egrets and 64 Shelduck. I located 2 Curlew Sandpipers in a Dunlin flock before they took off and headed for the flood. Watching from the hide I located 9 Curlew Sandpipers amongst about 100 Dunlins. Most were asleep. When I left the hide all the birds flew and Mike Stevens counted 27 Curlew Sandpipers. There were 5 Little Stints, 2 Ruff, 4 Knot and 8 Snipe. 2 Pintails were amongst the ducks and 200 Brent Geese flew over calling loudly. 3 Bar-tailed Godwits roosted amongst 350 Black-tailed Godwits and 150 Redshank. These were probably the same 3 birds  I counted on The Swale. Ian Davies and Tony Ball, the tattooed twain, had also seen a Spotted Redshank. a Sparrowhawk and the Harris Hawk. (Chris Abrams, Mike Stevens, Ian Davies, Tony Ball)

October 2

A morning visit on a falling tide. Murky with drizzle first thing but clearing a bit with a freshening easterly wind. There were few waders on the east flood but this included two Little Stints but only one Ruff. Wildfowl included 15 Greylag Geese, 33 Wigeon, three Gadwall, six Pintail and 61 Shoveler. On the mudflats there were two Whimbrel and at least five Curlew Sandpipers. Two Great Crested Grebes were on the Swale in front of Horse Sands, a flock of 110 Brent Geese were in flight over the Swale and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull flew up the Swale. Single Whinchat and Stonechat were on the eastern side and a Wheatear was on the rocks just west of the causeway. A Rock Pipit was near the sluice. There were 100s of Swallows flying west, hawking over the area or resting on the telegraph wires and four Sand Martins but no House Martins were seen. A Greenshank dropped into the pools on the west flood, a Spotted Redshank called but, as is often the case with this species, could not been seen and a Brambling flew loudly and invisibly west. Bearded Tits were much in evidence with their pinging and about 12 birds were seen. A total of 81 species for the morning. (Geoff Burton)

We visited this afternoon on the rising tide. The weather was grim, murky and misty but it was not raining. In addition to Geoff's sightings we noted 3 Little Stints on the East Flood. Most waders were on the mud of the estuary. There were c200 Dunlins, 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 70 Ringed Plovers, 15 Grey Plovers, 4 Avocets, 7 Curlews and 4 Little Egrets. A Cetti's Warbler sang from the reeds on our walk around the East Flood. Near the seawatching hide were 2 Whinchats and 3 Stonechats. A Merlin was reported flying over the East Flood. (Chris Abrams, Eustace Barnes, Mick Sinden)

October 1

A brief visit and a progressively wet walk to Uplees copse 0930-1100. 5 Little Stints were feeding on E flood in a compact group, although numbers of wader sps were low, given state of the  tide. Towards Uplees 2-3 Wheatears were very mobile, c.40 Goldfinches were working the teasles, a pulse of 15 House Martins came through eastwards and 2 Whimbrel continued to linger on the saltings. Other waders included c. 55 Golden Plovers, a scattering of Grey Plover, Bar T Godwit, Blk T Godwit and Dunlin etc.on the tide`s edge. A single adult Med Gull was with Herring and B.H Gulls and 2 Avocets flew E down the Swale--and the weather got the better of me !! (Mike Roser)