randombirder

These are heady days, footballing success coupled with a protracted period of hot weather.  Some might call these 'good times'. Oare Marshes was bathed in glorious summer sunshine, the warmth tempered by a refreshing breeze.  A three week gap between visits and how different it was since the last trip down to this fabulous wetland site. Wader numbers have increased as have the variety in species.  Autumn migration has commenced, evidenced by greater numbers of 'Icelandic' Black-tailed Godwit , some very smart individuals in their fantastic rustic plumage. There were more Avocet than a few weeks ago, a few juveniles were feeding on the flood.  Similarly, Common Redshank numbers were up with many young birds present.  At least six Ruff had arrived still in their breeding attire, as had a Spotted Redshank similarly in it's dark summer plumage.  Two juvenile Little Ringed Plover were scampering along the fringes of the ...

We have now hit the mid-June doldrums.  A week waylaid by tonsilitis and now the welcome start of the World Cup will make this month dominated by the sofa. It was great to head out today though and in the company of Dominic Mitchell, spent an enjoyable day at Oare Marshes. Highlights were this drake Garganey , that in between naps, spent most of its time dabbling close to one of the islands densely populated by around 300 summering Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit . 'Napoleon' has also returned, and a prolonged wait was finally rewarded with laughable views of the Bonaparte's Gull , seen hunkered low down on 'Godwit' island, mostly obscured by waders, but occasionally its jet black head and grey-ish upperparts did appear into view. Also of interest was a vocal Cuckoo seen perched on a dead tree, a single Yellow Wagtail flew through, Bearded Tit 'pinged' from the reeds by the channel, and a distant Red Kite tussled the breeze beyond the bridge. ...

Oare Marshes again.  Can't keep away from the place.  It was once again ripe with waders.  Pride of place went to my second  Long-billed Dowitcher that was seen while roosting within the large group of waders.  A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper flew into the foreground and scampered around a small island.  Smart little birds. Wader numbers had really built up now with crude estimates of 500+ Golden Plover , 300+ Black-tailed Godwit , and 80+ Dunlin , were present along with 15 Ruff , 30+ Ringed Plover , a single Greenshank , and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover . In addition, five Yellow Wagtail flew over and the regular Bearded Tit were active in the reeds. On the swale, terns were on the move with the highlight of two Black Tern accompanied by six Sandwich Tern , and a dozen Common Tern .  Around 15 Swallow looked as they would be around for a little while longer.

Another trip to Oare Marshes for the start of wader season.  Well, the marshes always has waders but you know what I mean.  It also has a regular returning Bonaparte's Gull that finds the Oare Marshes a pleasant place to spent a few weeks in the summer arriving from goodness knows where before finally heading off to goodness knows where.  Wouldn't it be nice to know though.  'Napoleon' was starting to transition into winter plumage, but only just. On site today were six Ruff , the first Golden Plover with seven, and eight vocal Whimbrel seen departing to the west. Around 500+ Black-tailed Godwit and 100+ Avocet were regular fixtures on East Flood as were my first two Common Snipe of the autumn.  A smart adult and three Curlew Sandpiper were there as well as a winter plumage Spotted Redshank , two of my favourite waders. I then headed over to Cliffe Pools.  By this time, the sky had filled in and the clouds looked very menacing.  I ...

A day out with a friend to have a look at some waders.  Oare Marshes is surely the best site in the south-east for wading birds.  The East Flood as always was packed with them - hundreds of Black-tailed Godwit , Dunlin , Ringed Plover , Redshank , Golden Plover , with around 25 Avocet , a few Ruff , and two Little Stint , with Grey Plover , Curlew , and a Curlew Sandpiper picked out on the shore on the receded tide-line. A few Swallow were still on the move and a couple of Bearded Tit noisily alighted from the reedbed.  The easterly breeze had pushed in seabirds with Skuas seen by visiting birders which we missed, but at least 20 Gannet had flown into the channel, circled, before heading away. Mediterranean Gull were present on the water off-shore.