1000—1200 2 Green Sandpipers were at the west side pond and a Buzzard circuited the shrubbery. 2 Cetti`s were singing in different locations and both Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat plus Chiffchaff were on the fruiting brambles. c 70 Ringed Plover were again on the E flood close to the road plus one Curlew Sandpiper.Walked W as tide filled with Curlews…
Author: Michael
Oare Marshes
0800—1530 An excellent turn-out from the KOS for this month`s Field Trip led by Ray O`Reilly. Swift and juv Cuckoo were amongst the first sps encountered, together with Sparrowhawk. Spotted Redshank; Whimbrel; Little Stint and Common Sandpiper were amongst the wader flocks with Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwit numbers remaining significant. Water Rail gave good views and Yellow Wagtailswere at…
Oare Marshes
1500—1645 Warm; ebbing tide; light E breeze. Undoubted highlight (1545-1610) was an Osprey flying E along Swale below Harty skyline; spending some time hovering and plunging (not seen to take a fish) and gradually moving into the mouth of the Swale and finally lost in Whitstable Bay`s haze. 72 Common Ternsalighted in Horse Sand`s shallows—bathing and preening before continuing W…
Oare Marshes
Contrasting days weather-wise, but wonderful opportunities today for long lenses as opposed to hand held digis; with near images of Red-necked Phalarope; reflections in still waters of Spotted Redshanks, and for some ,with patience, perhaps combinations of Bonaparte`s Gull; Long-billed Dowitcher and Red-necked Phalarope. The supporting cast of waders clearly provides an opportunity of twenty plus wader sps presently at…
Oare Marshes
It rained steadily for most of the day but this did not prevent it from being, perhaps, the best day of the autumn so far. The bird of the day was a juvenile Red-necked Phalarope found by Roger Lawrence on the east flood at 9.08 am. There were no other birders in the vicinity at the time and Roger had…
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
29-8-17 Nuthatch x 1 (calling behind the visitor centre). 27-8-17 Osprey x 1 (on the East Lake but flew west at 9:30 a.m.), green sandpiper x 1, grey wagtail x 1, little grebe x 1, kingfisher x 2. 26-8-17 Osprey x 1 and marsh harrier x 1 (late afternoon from Tyler Hide).
Oare W
Initially foggy and autumnal, developing into a hot sunny morning. Walked westward and deep into TQ past the FSB. Sandwich Terns were calling, and a mournful whistling came from a flock of c 40 Golden Plovers appearing out of the mist. 22 Linnets were atop the seawall in the seeded flora; with Shoveler and 2 Little Grebes just discernible in…
Oare Marshes
A brief but very enjoyable evening visit. Highlights were the adult Long-billed Dowitcher showing rather well, a juvenile Little Stint, eight Ruff (including a juvenile female), six Whimbrel, five Snipe, four Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Common Terns, 10 Sandwich Terns, a Bearded Reedling and at least seven Yellow Wagtails. Hurried and rather rough higher counts included 500 Grey Plovers…
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
24-8-17 Kingfisher x 2 (Carter Hide and Willow Hide). 23-8-17 Green sandpiper x 1, teal x 5, pochard x 2 (females), shoveler x 2, sand martin x 40, house martin x 10, swift x 1, kestrel x 1, swallow x 5, nuthatch x 1, chiffchaff x 23, garden warbler x 1, bullfinch x 1. 23-8-17 Kingfisher x 1 juvenile (Carter…
Oare Marshes
0730—1230 Persistent light rain with full cloud; humid and windless. With Swallows gathering on wires, it felt like Autumn`s approach, and several Sand Martins were over the E flood too. In the NE corner, 2Ruff, and a Spotted Redshank now in winter dress, were tarsus deep and a Water Rail gave good views as it moved through the reed margins.…