03/08/2019 Oare Marshes with Paul and the group

Saturday 3 August 2019
Oare Marshes, Kent

Just spent a most pleasurable day with Paul and the group at Oare Marshes on the north Kent coast.  9 of us made the trip, on a warm sunny day, and we were rewarded with some excellent birding and a species count well over 50. 

We made a later than normal start at 10.30 to allow us to catch the high tide at 14.34 which should have maximised the chances of seeing the resident summer Bonaparte's Gull as it moved in from the sea to settle on the East Flood as per previous years.  

• Despite the late start, I managed to arrive 15 minutes late; the A228 was closed near junction 4 on the M20 and the consequent re-routing meant a journey time of 2h 15m  instead of the usual 90 minutes.  This had disastrous consequences for me as the Bonaparte's Gull was present on the estuary just before I arrived but flew on to the reserve and was not seen again till after we left at 15.15.
• By way of consolation there were a couple of Whimbrel and at least 5 Mediterranean Gulls showing well on the mud.
• As we moved around the main path in a clockwise direction, Gareth pointed out a Spotted Redshank and not too far away from it was a couple of Ruff.
• He also pointed out a probable pair of Turtle Doves on the telephone wires away a long way away.  The distance was too great to be 100% sure so the decision was made not to record this sighting. 
• Bird of the day for me was Yellow Wagtail with a couple of excellent sightings.
• 2 Peregrines could be seen perched on the pylons.  We also recorded a couple of Kestrel sightings and at least 2 Buzzards were around.
• At the East Flood we saw 20+ Golden Plover as well as the usual suspects - Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Redshank etc.
• Highlight of the day came just after lunch and it wasn't even a bird!  It was a Southern Migrant Hawker dragonfly, a truly gorgeous looking creature seen for the first time at Oare less than 2 weeks ago.

courtesy of chiddymark and twitter

 

We then spent the post-lunch period retracing our steps, as high tide approached.

• Gareth spotted a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull flying overhead with its distinctive black tail band and white rump, similar to the bird shown below.  

courtesy of Richard Smith and Twitter

Another one for my year list!

• Back at the East Flood there was still no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull but we did see a Garganey just before we left.

• It was great to be back birding - my first trip out since the Outer Hebrides tour with Chris Mills! 
• Thanks Paul.