Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

September 2009

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 2009

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

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

September 30th

(06:45-11:45) A bright and calm start, but soon clouding over and cooling down. After yesterday's 'muck' spreading on the surrounding fields it was a rather smelly month-end at Oare Marshes this morning! In the scrub/paddocks there were 2 female Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs (one singing occasionally) and 1 Stonechat. A male Sparrowhawk flew west and 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting over the west side. 4 Green Sandpipers flew south towards Ham Road. 2 Kingfishers were around the sluice. A Peregrine was on the first pylon east of Faversham Creek. Only a few Swallows were noted flying south, and circa 25 Skylarks flew west. I met up with John Boyd for a circuit of the East Flood. A Grey Wagtail flew west. A female Common Scoter was feeding on the Swale looking towards Castle Coote, plus 2 Great Crested Grebes. 9 Bearded Tits were in the reeds behind the Sea Wall hide. A Sandwich Tern was roosting on one of the posts along the slipway again, plus 2 Turnstones. On the East Flood at high tide amongst the numerous Golden Plovers, Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits there were circa 25 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Greenshanks, 22 Ruff, 1 Turnstone, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 7 Little Egrets.

(Murray Wright)

September 28th

(07:30-10:30) A pall of mist, then full cloud giving a warmer feel to the 'early' morning than recently. 4 Cetti's were singing in separate locations round the reserve; 13 Ruff dropped into the E flood and Little Egrets were a couple short of 30 around the flood and foreshore; which with the low tide, remained only partially covered. The wader roost was probably reduced, but Golden Plover numbered c.550 and Black-tailed Godwits c. 450. There were many of the latter on Sheppey foreshore. At Uplees a small, dark, fast-flying falcon revealed itself as a Merlin as it landed in the Uplees copse - long low glides then short spells of undulating flight reminded me somewhat of a hurricane Mistle Thrush. Avocets on Sheppey bank numbered c.180. Bar-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plovers were numerous, as were flights of Wigeon. Just two Wheatears seen; alas no chats, other than that with a couple from Rainham!

(Mike Roser)

September 27th

(06:30-12:00) A little mist at first, but then warm, sunny and calm again. Another beautiful September morning, but the birding didn't quite match the weather. 4 Greenshanks, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlins, 2 Grey Plovers, circa 150 Golden Plovers were amongst the waders on the East Flood early on, plus 5 Little Egrets . In the scrub/paddocks there were 2 female Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Jay. A Turnstone was on the rocks along the foreshore in front of the Sea Wall hide. The first Tufted Ducks, a pair, were on the dyke west of the car park. At Uplees there was 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 1 male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, plus a Whimbrel on the mud, and 13 Bar-tailed Godwits flew west along the Swale. A Grey Wagtail was lingering around Dan's Dock, but just too mobile for me to get a pic!

(Murray Wright)

September 26th

(06:45-12:00) A chilly and calm start, but soon warming up in the unbroken September sunshine. Amongst the waders left on the East Flood when I arrived were 25 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Greenshanks and 11 Ruff, plus 7 Little Egrets and 22 Greylags. A Hobby flew west over the cottages. I met Philip Goacher for a stroll around the patch. In the scrub/paddocks there were 1 male Stonechat, 1 male Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 or 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and 2 Jays. Bearded Tits were much in evidence again all over the reserve, with at least 15 performing for the 'crowds' in the reeds near the Sea Wall hide, plus another Cetti's Warbler there. A handful of Swallows and Skylarks flew west during the morning. At Uplees we noted 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, a pair of Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs and a singing Cetti's Warbler, plus circa 50 Meadow Pipits, and a male Marsh Harrier circled high over. 2 Canada Geese flew west at Dan's Dock. A second Whinchat was on the brambles west of the road as I returned to my car. Single Clouded Yellow and Peacock were the butterfly highlights.

(Murray Wright)

(07:30-10:00) A distinctly chilly start at 5 degrees! As the sun and warmth materialised, small passerines were much in evidence, and 'hundreds' of Wigeon were coming down the Swale high in the sky. Circa 160 Avocets were in two parties on Sheppey side, and a lone Common Buzzard was in centre field on Mocketts Bank. Warblers in Uplees copse include Blackcaps, Reed and Chiffchaff, with Cetti's in good voice. Whimbrels remain associated with both saltings and pastures. One Wheatear, one Whinchat and juv male Stonechat were all around the copse area on what was another evocative morning.

(Mike Roser)

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September 25th

(13:30-16:45) Warm and sunny with a fresh E breeze. A quick look for yesterday's Redstart drew a blank. 2 Whinchats were again in the brambles and scrub between the sea wall and the East Flood. I watched the flood on the incoming tide noting 13 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst circa 750 Golden Plovers, 2 noisy Greenshanks, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Ruff and 5 Little Egrets. A pleasantly soporific session.

(Murray Wright)

September 24th

(06:40-11:30) Warm and sunny with a very light NW breeze. A Grey Wagtail flew west as I parked the car. On the East Flood there were 19 Ruff and 33 Golden Plovers, and a Green Sandpiper was on the pool opposite the pull-in. I was checking out the horse paddock when a bird perched on the edge of the lone hawthorn caught my attention. I thought it was going to be one of the many Robins, but looking into the light through the bins I could see its tail 'shiver', and switching to the scope it was a smart male Common Redstart - another addition to the OM year list and only the third I've seen here (following the second in August last year). It performed really well and I managed to get some reasonable record shots, and a few Oare regulars managed to see it. It was still present when I left despite a Sparrowhawk emerging from one of its favourite bushes! Whilst watching the Redstart I  noted 8 Reed Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroats, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a Little Owl was calling. There were still circa 200 Linnets on the stubble fields south of the cottages, and a Sparrowhawk circled over. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was quartering the West Flood. Bearded Tits seemed to be enjoying the sun all over the reserve today with 4 near the West Hide, 12+ in the reeds near the Sea Wall hide and 5 more near the car park. A second Grey Wagtail flew west. A third Cetti's Warbler was singing near the Sea Wall hide. 2 Whinchats were on brambles west of the entrance road. Just a few Swallows flying west this morning. Several Clouded Yellows were noted again this morning, plus 1 Peacock. As I was about to leave a call from Mike R. put me onto a Common Buzzard circling high over the East Flood before drifting west. Terry Ryan reported a Pied Flycatcher at Uplees copse early morning.

(Murray Wright)

A warm, atmospheric morning on the marsh, with zephyrs of breeze. Greeted by MW with a juv. male Common Redstart in his sights - an OYT for me - tks! 5 Bearded Tits circled the car-park with others in the adjacent reeds. 4 Whinchats and 3 Wheatears were at Dan's Dock/Uplees area, plus a juv. male Stonechat. A Common Buzzard passed through the west marsh, exiting at Dan's Dock on passage to Mockett's Hill. A Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpeckers, Cetti's and 26 Goldfinches feeding on Teasel were amongst an array of passerines at Uplees copse. Whimbrel were evident on the foreshore and a Kingfisher was in west marsh main drain. Over the East flood another Common Buzzard was on high thermals; another Kingfisher at the sluice bombed away down the creek. Clouded Yellows again much in evidence in the east side grasslands and 17 Common Seals were hauled up on Horse Sands. A productive laid-back morning of 62 species was a bonus in the perfect conditions.

(Mike Roser)

September 23rd

(06:40-11:30) Mostly cloudy with some light drizzle early on and a freshening W breeze. A very quiet visit over low tide this morning (and much less eventful than last Wednesday!). 24 Ruff were amongst the waders on the East Flood when I arrived, and an hour or so later they and a few Redshank were the only waders on the flood! A Green Sandpiper was along the dyke on the way to the West Hide. 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats and a singing Cetti's Warbler were in the scrub/paddocks, plus a Hobby flew west. 2 Marsh Harriers (a male and a female) were over the West Flood. 2 Kingfishers were around the sluice. A flock of 13 Bearded Tits were showing well near the Sea Wall hide including five adult males. A Whinchat was on the scrub between the sea wall and the East Flood, and Martin Hadleigh added a Stonechat and 2 Wheatears in the same area. At Uplees there was a Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaffs. Back at the East Flood a Greenshank and a few Golden Plovers had dropped in, and numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks had started to increase. A few Swallows flying west were the only hirundines seen during the morning. 2 Clouded Yellows and a Peacock were amongst the butterflies. And that was about the best I could muster!

(Murray Wright)  

September 21st

(09:15-15:30) Warm with hazy sunshine, calm at first with a fresh SW breeze picking up later. Just about the first bird I saw this morning was juvenile Gannet flying 'lazily' south over the West Flood before heading high south-west until lost to view. A Little Owl was calling from the scrub/paddocks. A couple of Chiffchaffs and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler were in the copse opposite the cottages, and 250+ Linnets were in the stubble and on the wires, plus 3 Sparrowhawks circled over being mobbed by corvids. A Green Sandpiper was along the dyke east of the East Hide. 6+ Bearded Tits were in the reeds near the Sea Wall hide, plus a singing Cetti's Warbler. There were few waders on the mud along the Swale: 8 Grey Plovers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlins and a few Curlews. 2 Whinchats were in the scrub between the sea wall and the East Flood. 3 Wheatears were at Dan's Dock, and a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the sheep pastures. A Grey Wagtail (only my second here this year!) flew west over the reserve. Along the road I met up with Terry Ryan, Mike Roser and Dave Perrin. On the East Flood at high tide there was 1 juvenile Little Stint, circa 75 Dunlins, 1 Knot, 2 Ringed Plovers, a good count of circa 950 Golden Plovers (thanks Mike), 2 Greenshanks, circa 400 Redshanks, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, circa 750 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Little Egrets, plus another Sparrowhawk flew south. Swallows were moving west all day, and a flock of circa 75 House Martins flew south early on. A dozen or so Clouded Yellows flew south this afternoon, and other butterflies included 1 Painted Lady (my first for a couple of weeks) and 2 Red Admirals. At 16:40 Dave Perrin had a Red Kite flying over the West Hide and continuing south over the pylons and out of sight - the first this autumn.

(Murray Wright)

September 20th

The KOS had a wader ID event at Oare today around high-tide and there was a good selection of waders on the east flood: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, c.20 Ringed Plover, probably around 500 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 50+ Lapwing, 3 Knot, 2 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 30+ Dunlin, probably around 30 Ruff, 3 Common Snipe, between 900-1,000 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank and maybe as many as 500 Redshank. A Cetti's Warbler was heard singing and a lone Hobby caused a good number of the waders to become alert.

(Don Taylor)

September 19th

(06:45-13:45) A bit misty first thing, but then warm and muggy with hazy sunshine and a very light NNE breeze. A good count of 28 Ruff were on the East Flood when I arrived, plus 19 Greylags. A Green Sandpiper was on the pool opposite the pull-in. The scrub/paddocks held 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Sedge Warbler was seen on the way out to the West Hide, and a few Reed Warblers were noted around the reserve. A dozen or so Bearded Tits were in the reeds at the east end of the East Flood. A Wheatear was near Dan's Dock. 2 more were at Uplees, plus 1 Whinchat, and in the copse there were 2 Whitethroats, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 4+ Robins and 3 Jays, plus a Sparrowhawk and a Hobby flew over. On the East Flood just prior to high tide there were 23 Knot, circa 60 Dunlin, 3 Greenshanks, up to 700 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Avocets, 1 mouting juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 1 Sandwich Tern. A few Swallows and Sand Martins were moving through all morning.

(Murray Wright)

On the East Flood: Mediterranean Gull 1 ad winter, (apart from the moulting juvenile) in the afternoon, Curlew Sandpiper 1 juv. in the afternoon, Golden Plover about 200-220 birds, Redshank about 300, Black-tailed Godwit - I think there were about 900-1000 in the afternoon, a really huge flock, quite tightly packed so hard to assess well. Hobby 1 flying over and then to the west. Water Rail - not seen but heard in up to 5 places before dusk, mainly on East Flood. On the Swale: Ringed Plover at least 15, Shelduck 70+ in the evening at the Faversham Creek mouth. Whimbrel 1 on the creek late morning, more spread over Swale later in the day. Curlew, Grey Plover - dispersed on the Swale in the afternoon, mainly on the Sheppey side, rather uncountable.

(Marcin Sek)

September 18th

(13:30-16:30) Sunny and warm, but still with a fresh NE breeze. An afternoon visit to catch the back end of the high tide. I met Geoff along the road. The East Flood held 1 juvenile Little Stint, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, circa 50 Dunlin, 4 Knot (including one still fairly red bird), 1 Grey plover, circa 150 Golden Plovers, 1 Greenshank, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff (including the Dutch colour-ringed bird with the yellow-flag, which was first noted last year on 22nd September), 25 Cormorants and 5 Little Egrets. John Bartlett had seen a Willow Warbler west of the cottages, and Geoff and I added a Chiffchaff there too, plus 25 or so Swallows and 4 Sand Martins on the wires. Several Bearded Tits were in the reeds at the east end of the East Flood.

(Murray Wright)

September 17th

(07:15-12:45) I got down a bit later this morning nursing a bit of a sore head! There were a few diehards onsite this morning hoping for another bite of the puffin, but sadly it was a no show all day. Chris Gibbard reported a couple of birders getting excited for a bit at a black and orange object floating (no too far out on the Swale), however, the i.d. was clinched when the word 'Tango' was discernible! Early on Steve and Julian had a Whinchat and a Wheatear near Uplees. I had a pleasantly uneventful stroll around the patch with John Pymm, and we joined Mike Roser as we headed back from Uplees. Chris pointed the Meridian news team in my direction and we had a short interview about yesterday's events by the Watch House. On the East Flood at high tide there were 2 Little Stints (an adult moulting into winter plumage and a juvenile), circa 50 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, circa 20 Golden Plovers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits amongst circa 400 Black-tailed Godwits, just 1 Ruff, 2 Avocets, 4 Wigeon and 3 Little Egrets. A Hobby shot through south putting everything up. A Jay was seen near the cottages. Chris had an Arctic Tern on the Swale, a Common Buzzard over Mocketts and 2 Peregrines, plus a good record of 3 Brent Geese on the East Flood.

(Murray Wright)

With a 'day ticket' required for the Sea Wall hide 24 hrs after the MAIN event, a walk westwards parallel to the flight path of yesterday's star turn was asking for meagre crumbs. Whinchat, Wheatears and Yellow Wagtail brightened the Uplees surrounds - waders were coming off the Conyer flats in hundreds with Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits and Avocets prominent. 2 Marsh Harriers floated through and hirundine passage was into the wind eastwards featuring Swallows and House Martins. On the East flood the waders temporarily scattered as a Hobby came through, otherwise it was normal business resumed. At least an audience with the finder (MW) of yesterday's mega was FOC, and all credit is due given his dedicated hours on this patch!! 

(Mike Roser)

September 16th

(06:40-15:00) Sunshine and squally showers with a very strong N-NE wind. A quiet start with little of note on the East Flood. A Pied Flycatcher (probably the same as first seen last Thursday) was found in the copse and hedge west of the cottages, plus a couple of Chiffchaffs. Walking back past the cottages I heard Sandwich Terns calling and there were 8 circling high overhead, plus 6 Arctic Skuas which flew back east and out along the Swale - an encouraging start and a good omen for the seawatch to come. At the Sea Wall hide I was joined by Eddie Denson and Francis Tusa, and later by John Boyd, Tony Sayers, Martin Hadleigh and Stephen Gateley. A few skuas were on the move and we got some good views - totals up until 10:50 were 4 adult Poms, 3 Bonxies and 17 Arctics, plus 3 Little Gulls, 16 Sandwich Terns, a few Common Terns, the first 4 Brent Geese I've seen this autumn, 10 Pintail and circa 75 Wigeon, plus a probable Leach's Petrel flying out of the Swale that was frustratingly just too far out to be 100% certain. Myself, Francis and John were watching from outside the hide, and the others were inside. At around 10:50 we were following 3 Arctic Skuas which were circling into the mouth of Faversham Creek, when a bird flew in the opposite direction through my binocular's field of view - a rear-end view and it appeared all black and at first I thought it was going to be a scoter, but a glimpse of orangey red towards the front (i.e. the bill) had me thinking of a summer plumage Puffin, which would nearly be an Oare MEGA! Luckily it dropped onto the water at circa 75 yards range and then it was all too obvious (if still too incredible to believe!) that it was an adult Tufted Puffin in summer plumage - an alcid from the north Pacific! I've seen the species in the wild in Siberia so the i.d. wasn't a problem. The guys in the hide were already all on the bird too. Panic then ensued, but I managed to take a few record shots (despite shaking uncontrollably - I still am!), and phoned Geoff Burton and RBA to get the news out to the wider world. The bird looked settled, but at around 11:05 it flew up and headed west (when its bright red feet were visible). It landed just west of the slipway for a few minutes, but at around 11:10 it flew strongly west and disappeared around the bend looking towards Uplees. Oh my God - what had we just witnessed! We were all stunned, elated etc. However, thinking we'd better try and relocate it, myself and Francis headed back towards the car park where we were joined by Geoff and Andy Taylor. We walked west along the Swale being joined by various other birders on the way, and eventually got as far as Fowley Island near Conyer creek, but there was no sign. We made our way back slowly to the car park, where some of the many gathered birders had a look at my record shots on the camera. I eventually left for home at 15:00 and a chance to try and take it all in! After I left a Fulmar (the second record this year) was seen flying into Faversham Creek (per Chris Gibbard, Geoff) - damn I needed that one too!

P.S. I had a call from Geoff this evening. He'd had a call from Barry Hunt who'd been speaking to Colin Osborne had been watching at Herne Bay this morning. I contacted Barry to confirm the details. Colin told Barry he'd seen an all black auk with a huge orangey/red bill fly west past Herne Bay close in at less than 100 yards at around 10:15/10:20, but hadn't been able to put a name to it. Barry then told Colin about our Tufted Puffin at Oare this morning and the penny dropped - undoubtedly the same bird.

(Murray Wright)

September 15th

(12:15-16:00) Grey and murky with frequent heavy showers and a brisk ENE wind. After a miserable morning it was (a) little better this afternoon. At low tide on the East Flood there was 1 Little Stint (pretty thin on the ground so far this autumn), 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits amongst circa 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Ruff, 11 Golden Plovers, 6 Common Snipe, 1 drake Wigeon, 4 Little Egrets and 2 Kingfishers. A walk out to the West Hide (in case the Glossy Ibis had returned - it hadn't as it was still at Grove) produced just 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Little Egret, plus a Lesser Whitethroat in the paddocks. The wind had dropped considerably and swung round to ENE, and there wasn't anything on the Swale during the hour I watched except for 1 Sandwich Tern past and 3 Great Crested Grebes on the water, plus a Hobby flew close in front of the Sea Wall hide and headed north to Sheppey. An unhappy looking Guillemot was sat out on the mud.

(Murray Wright)

September 14th

(08:15-17:00) Mostly bright with a few squally showers on a strong N-NE wind. Mike Roser had been in the Sea Wall hide for 40 minutes when I arrived having seen 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Gannets and a few Sandwich and 'Commic' Terns. I stayed in and around the hide for the duration. The Swale was fairly 'busy' during the morning with plenty of birds on the move, as usual many were too far out to be identified in the difficult lighting. But the movement more or less fizzled out after 13:00. During the afternoon I was joined by Rob Clements, Pete Maton, Geoff Burton, Alan Fossey and Brenda Blythin, though the most success was limited to those who stuck it out beyond 16:00! Totals recorded today were: 2 juvenile Sabines Gulls, 1 Pomarine Skua, 3 Bonxies, 40 Arctic Skuas, 6 Little Gulls, 4 Arctic Terns, 132 Common Terns, 15 Sandwich Terns, 108 Gannets, 11 Common Scoters, 14 Pintail and 84 Wigeon, plus 2-3 Peregrines (care of Rob). The number of Gannets coming into the Swale was impressive including a loose group of 47, but there were none after 13:00. The Pomarine Skua (a dark phase immature?) came right over the hide with 4 Arctic Skuas before they headed off inland. The 3 Bonxies didn't appear until around 13:00. The first Sabine's Gull was picked out flying towards Faversham Creek at 11:20 before I lost it (due to hide congestion!), but reappeared on the Swale near the green Receptive bouy around 11:40, settling on the water for long periods before I finally lost track of it around 12:30; the second was picked up circling high over the Swale at 16:20 with terns, remaining on view until at least 16:50 mostly just to the east of the Ferry Inn - allowing Alan to get some record shots. Finally, as Geoff and I headed back to the car park at 17:00, a Guillemot flew low west along the sea wall and was last seen flying south-west over the West Hide!

(Murray Wright)

September 13th

(05:45-11:15) Cloudy with a cool and freshening N wind. A Hobby was perched in the lone elder on the west side. I was hoping the Glossy Ibis would do a repeat performance this morning flying in with the Little Egrets, but it wasn't to be and there was no sign of it today. I teamed up with Dick Bailey and Keith Privett for a circuit around the patch. 1 or 2 Kingfishers zipped over the East Flood. We spent three-quarters of an hour in the West Hide from where we noted 5 Green Sandpipers, 8 Common Snipe, 1 juvenile Ruff, 4 Water Rails and 14 Little Egrets, plus a Cetti's Warbler singing outside. 2 Sparrowhawks were circling over the fishing ponds, and 1 Lesser Whitethroat was in the paddocks. On the East Flood there was a juvenile Curlew sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 9 Ruff, circa 70 Golden Plovers and circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits. 2 Sandwich Terns were roosting on the posts along the slipway. Mike Roser pointed us to a Common Buzzard defending its breakfast from attendant corvids west of Mocketts. A steady trickle of Swallows and a few Sand Martins were heading west throughout the morning.

(Murray Wright)

(07:15-10:00) A real autumnal feel with the wind a cool N-NW. 2 Whimbrel were flighty and vocal on the saltings and a small mixed party of that species and Curlew were in the fresh marsh. A Common Buzzard flew W, the first of 3 in the morning; the second on Mocketts slope tearing at a carcass (rabbit?) and shielding it with wings outstretched from the attendant corvids. A few Black-tailed Godwit were on Uplees foreshore, and a Sandwich Tern was plunge diving. A continuous light passage of Swallows and Sand Martins was apparent - no chats or Wheatear though. Good views of Water Rail(s) from the West Hide - no glossy plumaged curlew types or long white-necked heron types either today!

(Mike Roser)

September 12th

(05:30-11:30) Mostly cloudy with some light showers on the strong NE wind. Brighter later. I joined Marc Heath along the road from where we were hoping the Great White Egret might put in another early morning appearance on or over the East Flood, but there was no sign. However, at 06:20 as the first 14 Little Egrets flew in from the south-east the Glossy Ibis was picked up in flight and it joined the egrets and dropped out of view with them on the West Flood. The ibis was quite mobile moving back and forth between the floods, but spending some time on the pool in front of the West Hide. At around 08:35 it flew back to the East Flood and dropped into the north-east corner, but we didn't see it again before leaving, and we heard it was seen flying south-east over Faversham Creek towards Ham Marshes. However, my pager reported its presence again from 11:45 and on and off throughout the afternoon and early evening often from the West Hide. In the duller light this morning it looked far less glossy, and from discussions and emails received it would appear to be a juvenile/1st winter (no purple gloss) and almost certainly the Grove bird, which hasn't been reported since mid-afternoon yesterday - Phil Saunders who saw the Grove bird well on Tuesday morning gave a very similar description to 'our' bird. On the East Flood at first light there were 7 Wigeon with fourteen more flying over, 1 Pintail, up to 10 Ruff, circa 75 Golden Plovers and 1 or 2 Kingfishers, plus a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was reported late morning. A Hobby appeared over the west side a couple of times, plus a male Marsh Harrier and a Sparrowhawk. A look for the Pied Flycatcher with a few interested parties drew a blank, with a single Chiffchaff, a pair of Mistle Thrushes and lots of Linnets the only birds of note around the cottages. 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Water Rail and 2 Little Egrets were seen on the pool in front of the West Hide. Half an hour watching the Swale turned up just a juvenile Little Gull flying west, 4 'Commic' Terns and 2 Great Crested Grebes, plus 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and several Grey Plovers on the mud.

(Murray Wright)

September 11th

(13:30-18:05) Mostly bright and sunny again with a strong NE wind. I almost didn't pop down this afternoon, but I thought it was (just about) too windy to go out for a spin on my bike, so with nothing better to do I thought I might as well. I walked out to the West Hide with Pete Maton where there was a Green Sandpiper and a Little Egret. We had a quick and unsuccessful look for the Pied Flycatcher, but it was seen early afternoon by a couple of other birders. The Swale was still pretty dead with just a small flock of 6 Pintails out near Horse Sands of note. A Hobby performed well hunting over the west side. As high tide approached, the East Flood held 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 3+Knot, 10 Ringed Plovers, circa 200 Golden Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 10 Ruff, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Little Egrets. I was chatting with Neill from Stealth Wildlife by the pull-in. Neill asked if there were any Marsh Harriers around, but oddly enough I hadn't seen any. We turned and looked over the west side to see if there were any harriers (around 16:45). A bird was flying over the West Hide (it had possibly just taken off from the West Flood) and through the bins it was obviously a Glossy Ibis! It flew over and landed on the East Flood for a minute or two before flying up again, but fortunately landed again closer to the road and showed really well. I managed to contact most of the Oare 'ir/'regulars, most of whom got down to see the bird - an Oare tick for all of them I think (though not an addition to the Oare list). It flew a short distance a couple of times, but for a good period of time showed very well down to circa 30 metres from the road. At 17:49 it flew up and appeared to drop onto the dyke along the east side of the West Flood, with Mike Gould in hot pursuit! I left at 18:05. At 19:10 Marc Heath saw the ibis flying off high south-east with 5 Little Egrets (presumably to roost nearby) having possibly taken off from the West Flood. Hopefully it'll be back tomorrow.

I assumed the bird was a juvenile, but as pointed out by Nigel Jarman onsite it did show plenty of glossy green on the wings, and the whitish streaking on the head and neck was quite distinct, and the white around the base of the bill still noticeable too, so probably a winter plumage adult. Comparing with the pics of the bird present in the Stour Valley for the last week, it's obviously a different individual. Any advice would be welcome?

(Murray Wright)

September 10th

(05:30-18:15) Bright and sunny with a strong NNE wind. Myself and Geoff decided to have a go at beating Geoff's previous best day total for the area which is 94 species (we also got to 93 on 14th September 2006). The strong wind made it a bit hard going at times and, in contrast to yesterday, there was virtually nothing moving on the Swale (a Manx Shearwater and an unidetified skua sp. were seen by others on site) which was disappointing. We gave up at 18:15 on a total of 87 species, having added nothing in the last hour and a half. However, we did see a couple of good birds, one right at the start of the day and the other at the end. At about 05:45 Geoff picked out a Great White Egret on the East Flood (standing next to a Grey Heron for size comparison) - an Oare tick for Geoff. Unfortunately it was still well before sunrise so there was no chance of getting any photos, and at about 06:20 we watched it flying west in the company of 2 Little Egrets before it dropped out of view in a ditch to the west of Dan's Dock - we didn't see it again. At around 16:30 our second to last species of the day (the last was Sparrowhawk) was a Pied Flycatcher, which was found enjoying the sun and shelter on the southern side of the copse and hedge that runs west from the cottages - new for the year and hot on the heels of last Septembers bird. Apart from those two highlight's a few other bits included: a Little Owl calling first thing, 2 female Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whiethroats, a few Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears (though we couldn't find any Whinchats at Uplees), just 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 20 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Avocets and 2 Hobbies. The twelve and three-quarter hour session flew by and was great fun despite not achieving our target.

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

September 9th

(06:30-10:15) Mostly cloudy with a moderate NNE wind. A fairly quiet morning. On the East Flood there were 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank amongst the Black-tailed Godwits, and 2 Greenshanks. 4 Green Sandpipers were on the pool in front of the West Hide. A flock of 17 Ringed Plovers flew south-west. A Peregrine was on one of the Nagden pylons. An hour and a half watching the Swale from the Sea Wall hide produced no more than 6 Common Terns flying west, but conditions looked good for the afternoon on the rising tide.

(Murray Wright)

Dead quiet on east flood this afternoon (approx 13:00 to 14:00).  No Curlew Sands - just two Dunlin, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a couple of Golden Plovers and about 25 Avocets, plus a few Ruff and the usual Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks.

(Paul Cox)

(13:00-17:30) I returned this afternoon and spent four hours 'Swalewatching' from the Sea Wall hide, with Steve Clinch joining me for a couple of hours. The NNE wind had increased in strength. Things looked promising as shortly after I entered the hide a flock of 7 Arctic Skuas, including two cracking pale phase adults, flew close in west along the Swale - they later flew back east and settled on the water. Later on another flock of 14 flew east along the Swale, Steve having seen them fly over the East Flood as he was leaving. In all a total of 31 Arctic Skuas were noted during the afternoon, flying in all directions and frequently chasing the terns and gulls (and a Little Egret too!). At 14:04 Guillemot took off from the Swale and flew west close in past the hide, and at 15:51 a second circled in front of the hide before flying off east. Steve picked out a juvenile Gannet flying north across the Swale towards Shellness. At 15:32 a small shearwater flew north across the Swale at some distance, but frustratingly wasn't on show long enough or well enough to be i.d.'ed. However, at 15:53 a Manx Shearwater flew south, a lot closer and in view for a lot longer, before it disappered off east. I caught a couple more glimpses of distant small shearwaters later on too. Other species noted included 1 Black Tern, 66 'Commic' Terns and 7 Sandwich Terns all flying west, and a Merlin and a couple of Marsh Harriers flying north. An enjoyable session with four additions to the Oare year list. Looks good for tomorrow too.

(Murray Wright)

September 7th

I walked to Uplees copse through the midday period. 5 Whinchats were associated with the general area, plus 3 Wheatears and a cock Stonechat. A Common Whitethroat was on the brambles and 2 Cetti's Warblers were vocal. 2 Little Egrets were at the incoming tide's edge, and a Marsh Harrier drifted through, as a Sparrowhawk, then a Kestrel sparred with corvids. A cock Yellow Wagtail was near Dans Dock.

(Mike Roser)

(13:30-16:30) Hot and sunny with a moderate SW breeze. A Hobby was over the fields south of the cottages as I drove in this afternoon. 2 more Hobbies were over the west side feeding on the many dragonflies present, and there were lots of Black-headed Gulls and Starlings on the wing feeding on insects too. At high tide on the East Flood there were 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 2 Ringed Plovers, circa 300 Golden Plovers, circa 100 Lapwings, 6 Greenshanks, circa 300 Redshanks, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Avocets, 3 Little Egrets and 24 Cormorants, plus a restless flock of circa 300 Starlings. A female Sparrowhawk circled high over the flood and drifted off north not long before I left. Also 1 Clouded Yellow noted.

(Murray Wright)

September 6th

5 Curlew Sands on the east flood this afternoon - four juveniles and one adult in advanced moult into winter plumage.  They flew off onto the Swale at 17:05.  Also 38 Avocets, 2 Knots, a Greenshank and a Hobby over the flood at one stage.  Stacks of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks as usual.
(Paul Cox)

September 5th

(06:30-14:45) Bright and sunny with a brisk W wind picking up. A good day for birders/photographers with the following contributors noted: Terry Ryan, Steve Clinch, Julian Russell, Ian Hardy (reacquainted with lens hood!), Andy Appleton, Shaun Theobold and Gary Howard, plus a few still awaiting identification. 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were on the East Flood first thing. 2 Greenshanks and 6 Ruff were on the West Scrape. A Turnstone was on the slipway and a Sandwich Tern flew west along the Swale. 25+ Yellow Wagtails were getting under the cattle's feet west of the road, and a Green Sandpiper was in the pool opposite the pull-in. A Little Owl was calling near the cottages, but went unseen. A walk out to the West Hide produced 2 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, several Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Common Snipe. A Greenshank and 2 Green Sandpipers were on the West 'Flood'. Near Dan's Dock there were 5 Whinchats. At Uplees there were 3 more Whinchats, 1 Stonechat and 5 Wheatears, and in the copse there were 4+ Willow Warblers and 1 Chiffchaff. A Kingfisher was fishing from one of the wrecks in Faversham creek. High tide on the East Flood was a bit disappointing again (but produced a bit more than Haysden!): just 3 or 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 25 Dunlin, 14 Knot, 17 Ringed Plovers, 74 Golden Plovers,2 Greenshanks, circa 300 Redshanks, circa 500 Black-tailed Godwits and 18 Avocets. Single Hobby and Sparrowhawk were unsuccessfully hunting Starlings over the west side. 5 Sandwich Terns flew into Faversham creek before heading off east. New for the Oare escapes list was an African Grey Parrot (!), seen flying around the reserve just after lunchtime.

(Murray Wright)

September 4th

(12:30-16:00) Mostly sunny with a strong and blustery W wind. An afternoon visit to check out the high tide roost. I spent most of the time watching the East Flood with Tim Dackus and Mick Sinden, however, it was a bit disappointing with relatively few birds. There were 7 Curlew Sandpipers (one adult and six juveniles), just 9 Dunlin, 9 Knot, 43 Ringed Plovers, circa 50 Golden Plovers, 14 Ruff, 5 Greenshanks, circa 250 Redshanks, no more than 500 Black-tailed Godwits, and 40 Avocets, plus 5 Common Terns and 3 Little Egrets. A male Marsh Harrier spent some time over the flood struggling east into the wind and causing much mayhem amongst the waders. Circa 25 Yellow Wagtails were following and feeding amongst the cattle. A flock of circa 300 Starlings were around the Watch House. A Common Buzzard was hanging in the wind over Mocketts. And that was about it!

(Murray Wright)

September 3rd

(06:30-13:00) Bright and sunny with a very strong WSW wind. A bit hard going in the strong wind. A Kingfisher alighted on the cattle bridge briefly. 4 Curlew Sandpipers (two ads. and two juvs.) were on the East Flood. On the West Scrape there was a Greenshank, 7 Ruff and 9 Little Egrets. A Hobby flew west over the fishing ponds. I met Geoff who was on a shortened visit with a target of 60 species to kick off his Oare month list, a Mistle Thrush on the wires as he drove in being a good start. A Sparrowhawk flew west past the cottages. Around 150 Linnets were in the stubble south of the cottages. A Turtle Dove struggled to stay on the wires west of the cottages, and a couple of Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat eventually gave themselves up  in the scrub. A Water Rail appeared briefly in the reeds along the north side of the East Flood. Hirundines were on the move again with a steady trickle of Swallows and Sand Martins heading west, plus a few House Martins. Several flocks of Common Terns flew west along the Swale including one of circa 50 birds. 3 Green Sandpipers were on the West 'Flood', and 2 Greenshanks were along the dyke just to the east. A Little Stint appeared on the East Flood. Geoff left shortly after 10:00 having reached 67 species in three and a bit hours. I spent the rest of the session up until high-tide around the East Flood. Curlew Sandpipers reached 9 (four ads. and five juvs.), plus just the 1 adult Little Stint still, circa 50 Dunlin, 15 Knot, circa 40 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 28 Golden Plovers, 2 Greenshanks, circa 250 Redshanks, 13 Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, and 38 Avocets, plus 18 Common Terns dropped in, and a Hobby abandoned hunting waders and tried its luck (still poor!) at the circa 250 Starlings.

(Murray Wright)

September 2nd

(06:30-13:00) Mostly cloudy with a few showers and a strengthening SSW wind. On the East Flood when I arrived there were 6 Curlew Sandpipers (four adults and two juveniles), 4 Knot and 2 Greenshanks. 2 Greenshanks, 6 Ruff and 13 Little Egrets were on the West Scrape. A couple of Whimbrel were on the mud west of the slipway, plus 3 Grey Plovers and around 200 Ringed Plovers. 2 Green Sandpipers were over the West Flood, plus a female Marsh Harrier. Small numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows were moving south throughout the morning, and still plenty of Yellow Wagtails around. A Willow Warbler was in the bushes behind the East Hide. A scruffy adult male Hen Harrier flew east over the East Flood. A male Blackcap was in the scrub/paddocks, plus several Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Whitethroats, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk. A Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Terns were roosting on the posts along the slipway. At high tide on the East Flood there were now 10 Curlew Sandpipers (with four additional juveniles), 2 adult Little Stints, 25 Knot, circa 100 Dunlin, 1 juvenile Turnstone briefly before it flew off west, circa 100 Ringed Plovers, circa 150 Golden Plovers, 1 winter plumage Spotted Redshank briefly, 3 Greenshanks, 13 Ruff, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, circa 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Snipe, 18 Avocets, 1 Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Terns. A single juvenile Marsh Harrier flying west and an unsuccessful Hobby did their best to disturb things. Wildfowl were represented by just a few Teal, Mallard and a couple of Shoveler, and a single Greylag with only one and a half wings was no doubt a casualty of yesterday's inglorious 1st.

(Murray Wright)

Nothing at Uplees to set the pulses racing this afternoon - good to have a walk after so many auto miles these last 2 weeks, in spite of a soaking in one of the heavy rain showers. 3 Marsh Harriers quartering the Sheppey banks included two females with very pale crowns, and a  Common Buzzard flew overhead south -eastwards without lingering.

(Mike Roser)