Oare Marshes - Latest Sightings (October)
 |
Volunteers are urgently required to help with low tide waterfowl counts in the Medway estuary. If you can spare a few hours a month from November to February to help with this important survey, please contact Tony Swandale by phone on 07889 822412
or by email at: tonyswandale@kentwildlife.org.uk.
Thank you.
October 31st
The first winter Grey Phalarope was present for its 7th day on the East Flood together with a single Ruff and Little Stint. A Rough-legged Buzzard was visible from the reserve on the Isle of Sheppy. At 13.40 a Little Auk was spotted close to the sea wall where stayed for about 30 minutes before drifting away. The regular wintering Twite flock has returned: 12 flew over the west side several times (1 or 2 less than last winter). There were 2 Water Pipits on the east side, a Spoonbill flew over and a Red-backed Shrike was reported in scrub south of the reserve (the same place where one was present in September).
October 29th
The first winter Grey Phalarope was still present on the East Flood plus a single Little Stint and a late Garganey. A Curlew Sandpiper was on the adjacent mudflats.
October 26th
The first winter Grey Phalarope was still present and showing well. Best views were obtained from the sea wall next to Faversham Creek. Also on the East Flood, 2 Spotted Redshanks again, 1 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 4 Ruff. A party of 8 Bearded Reedlings, at least 3 Water Rails, 2 Corn Buntings, several Stonechats and Kingfisher were also present.
First Winter Grey Phalarope
October 25th
A first winter Grey Phalarope was discovered in the north east corner of the East Flood late in the afternoon. Single Wheatear near the car park, 2 Spotted Redshanks and 4 Ruff.
October 24th
A Bittern on the east side
October 22nd
The Rough-legged Buzzard could be seen above Harty Hill on the north side of the Swale. A ringtail Hen Harrier hunted on the reserve in the afternoon, putting up 50 or more snipe in the process.
Single Wheatear, Cetti's warbler, 5+ Bearded Reedlings, 3 Stonechats, c4 Rock Pipits, Water Rail, several Ruff & Kingfisher.
October 19th
2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Little Owl
October 17th
3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Knot, 370 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Turnstone
October 13th
Osprey on perched on a gate post late morning. Approximately 1000 Dunlin on the East Flood at high water together with c40 Knot, 11 Grey Plovers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, 1 Greenshank and c150 Black-tailed Godwits. First Rock Pipit of the winter, Stonechat, Kingfisher, Bearded Reedling, Merlin, 4 Marsh Harriers and a female Ruddy Duck. Single Curlew Sandpiper on West Flood.
October 12th
Male Peregrine, single Green Sandpiper, 6 Pintails, 2 Wrens, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Kingfishers, Water Rail
October 9th
Sooty Shearwater and 2 Arctic Skuas over the Swale
October 7th
15 Seals (probably Common) on Horse Sands
October 5th
On the East Flood at dusk: 8 Little Stints, 5 Pintail, 1 Greenshank, about 50 Golden Plovers and 30 Ruff. A flock of 20 - 22 Curlew Sandpipers flew off to the west. Cetti's Warbler, Little Owl and Kingfisher heard near the cottages.
October 4th
Cetti's warbler, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Water Rail, juvenile Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk
October 2nd
5 Little Stints, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Marsh Harriers
October 1st
Grey Phalarope on the West Flood at 3 pm. Common Crane flying over.