Good Old Bonaparte's Gull at Oare Marshes

19th July 2023

Oare Marshes, Kent

It was time for a break from the honey buzzard surveys that have dominated my birding recently.  

I accepted an invitation to go to Oare Marshes with Mark and Elizabeth to see the Bonaparte's gull that had returned for the 11th successive year.  

Initially there was no sign of the gull.  After a lovely pub lunch we returned to the fray and we were soon graced by its presence.  

• The first sighting was at high tide, on the East Flood where the bird was tucked in beyond several grassy islands.  It was showing really well as it rested in the shallow waters.  We savoured the views for a lengthy period of time before we set off round the reserve on our main tour.
• Perhaps the best views were on the scrape just before we left.  Elizabeth's photograph captures the scene brilliantly with the bird close to us and exposed on the muddy shores of the River Swale as the tide receded.

courtesy of Elizabeth Young

What a remarkable bird. It must have been blown off course 11 years ago in the USA and finished up on our shores where it has remained ever since.  We can predict its arrival and departure dates almost to the day.  

The only unknown is where on earth the bird goes to for the winter!

2023 species count = 183

Arlington Reservoir - My First Kingfisher of 2023

 I spent a couple of hours birding at Arlington Reservoir this afternoon. In all I managed to clock up 27 species.  All the usual suspects were there but there were 2 pleasant surprises.  

• I managed to see my first kingfisher of the year.  It was sitting on the lower reaches of the jetty by the fishing clubhouse.
• There was a common sandpiper at the far end (dam end) of the reservoir.  It whizzed past me along the shoreline as I was braving the gale force wind.

A very satisfying couple of hours!

2023 species count = 182

A Dungeness "Twitch"

Monday 26th June 2023

RSPB Dungeness

I took the opportunity to dash down to Dungeness to twitch the little stint at the ARC Hanson Hide.  

• I soon located the bird on the edge of the nearest island.  It was in summer plumage and looked really good as it paraded along the waterline.

courtesy of Plodding Birder and Twitter

• As luck had it, there was also a wood sandpiper on an adjacent island, looking equally stunning.

courtesy of Los Birder and Twitter

My luck ran out when I went on to Rye Harbour NR.  Despite my best efforts I was unable to see a single little tern even though quite a good number were known to be present.

A worthwhile twitch!

2023 species count = 180