Oare Marshes

0745—1130 A cracking morning; glaring sun; cloud and breeze bubbling up from the SW.Plenty of birdsong with singing Chiffchaffsboth on-site and in the immediate locale—great to hear those distinctive notes again! The Little Owl came and went this morning but 4 Cettis were again singing on site; one prominent at the entrance gate atop a hawthorn. The bright sun gave a shimmering aspect to the seascape where at low tide waders were Foxmoving W, including a flock of 12 Bar-tailed Godwits and  many Grey Plover. A Fox watched me at Uplees, keeping its head below the reed margins and seemingly causing consternation with Cettisand Green Woodpecker alike. Two Ravens flew across the Swale towards Sheppey—with unusually subdued squeaky, rattling calls which I don`t recall hearing previously. A Buzzard circled Mocketts and Marsh Harriers lingered awhile. Curlews were in small flocks in the pastures and Grey Herons again appeared in small groups flying W . A couple of Bearded Tits `pinged` from E flood reeds but were reluctant for a prolonged appearance as the breeze strengthened. About to exit the E flood, I was prompted to look skyward where there appeared to be raptors in and out of sunlight. A Buzzard; male Marsh Harrier and best of all , a Red Kite
languidly drifting NW—all quite high—the latter especially distinctive with deep forked tail and slim, patterned wings prominent, as the the sun caught both harrier and kite. The latter my first here this year. Mike R