17th October 2017 08.00 to 12.00hrs
Dry and calm around 14C – High Tide at roughly 11.30
Spent a pleasant 4 hours this morning, amassing a total of 21 wader species. The Wilson’s Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher are still present. The Phalarope seems to like following Teal closely and feeding in their wake. 3 Green Sandpipers were seen over the West Flood. On the mud before high tide near the Causeway a Curlew Sandpiper and an adult Little Stint were feeding amongst the many Dunlin and Redshank. 3 Bar-tailed Godwit also on the mud with Curlew, Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover and around 150 Avocet feeding off Oare Creek point.
Looking East down the Swale towards Castle Coote the distant Black-necked Grebe was diving and feeding near a Great Crested Grebe and Cormorant (strange size comparisons). Lots of Oystercatchers were on Horse Sands and 20-30 Little Egrets were feeding off South Swale reserve. Around 300-400 Brent Geese came off fields on Graveney out onto the Swale.
Back on the East Flood for high tide, at least 11 Ruff, 4 Little Stints (3 Juvs and the Adult seen earlier), 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Knot some 150 Golden Plover, the usual hoards of Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank and Lapwing, about 500 Dunlin came in which was an impressive sight as they wheeled around looking for a landing space. 2 Snipe flew around calling.
Called in to the Gunpowder Works on way back – 2 Siskin, Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail and 3 Little Grebes on the lake, were of note.
Trevor Manship