A cool, misty atmospheric morning. Walked west past the FSB. Pulses of Swallows were already passing westward; 2 pairs of Little Grebes were in the main dyke, and Shoveler; Gadwall and Tufted Duck were paired in various dyke localities. A cock Stonechat was in breeding dress and 2 Wheatears were just west of the copse in very suitable breeding habitat. 3 Corn Buntings were singing at separate points towards Luddenham Gut. Reed Buntings were coming to the Salisfy flowers , appearing to peck at a food source on the plant stem. Mediterranean Gulls were much in evidence westward, with several adult birds in the pastures. Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Cetti`s; Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler were singing at the copse; a Buzzard circled Mocketts and a Cuckoo flew around the west flood, calling and harassed by Meadow Pipits. A few Avocets, and a score of Whimbrels were associated with the tidal margins.
Mike Roser

06:30-11:50 – sunny with a light NE wind. A Lesser Whitethroat singing opposite the cottages was the first of the year. Other birds in that area included two singing Nightingales, male and female Cuckoos and the Turtle Dove. Ted Lee found a Spoonbill in the NE corner of the east flood but it soon flew off west at 9.05 am. A single Dunlin and a Greenshank were in the SE corner of the flood. A Snipe was flushed from pools along the path to the west hide and a Hobby was seen circling over the west flood later in the morning.

Dave Perrin was present in the afternoon on the incoming tide. He reported 27 Knot, a Ruff, 220 Black-tailed Godwits, seven Whimbrel, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.
Geoff Burton

Clockwise from left: Shoveler, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Oare Marshes 11am – 2pm
Cormorant, mute swan, grey heron, little egret, brent, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, gadwall, shoveler, tufted, kestrel, hobby, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, grey plover, lapwing, knot, redshank, black tailed godwit, bar tailed godwit, curlew, black headed gull, lesser black back, woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, swallow, skylark, marsh harrier, buzzard, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, yellow wagtail, starling, magpie, jackdaw, crow, sedge warbler, reed warbler, whitethroat, robin, blackbird, bearded tit, great tit, house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting.
Nick Baelz

Red Knot