Today I teamed up
with Pete Alfrey and his mobile observatory to venture along the North Kent
coastline to connect with a recent congregation of rarities.
This first stop on
our tour was Oare Marsh which has attracted a host of rare birds recently. We set
out at almost stupid o clock to enable us to reach the marshes a couple of
hours before high tide which at 0917hrs at Sheerness.
On arrival we set to
work on sifting through the numerous shorebirds and gulls on the East flood.
The Red Necked Phalarope was busy feeding away in the distance views through
the telescope were only possible throughout the morning.
The shorebird total
rose quickly with seventeen species noted including a Curlew Sandpiper, Wood
Sandpiper, plovers and shanks. As the tide moved in flocks of birds sought
sanctuary on the flood reminding me of days stood on crowded railway platforms
amongst commuters.
A Spotted Redshank
was not fazed by this invasion of birds and continued feeding in front of an
exposed area of mud.
Black Tailed Godwits
were by far the most numerous species present with a few individuals staying
clear of the main groups.
A particular highlight
of the morning was the Bonaparte’s Gull which Pete located in a group of Black
Headed Gulls. The bird was reasonably close to the road that dissects the two
floods allowing good opportunities for photographs. I had missed this species
at Oare several times in years gone by and was therefore relieved to have
finally caught up with it.
Having enjoyed the
shorebird fest we moved on to the West flood having been earlier distracted by
a pinging family group of Bearded Reedling (Tit). I never tire of seeing these
birds and the icing on the cake was a perfect display at short distance despite
a blustery wind.
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel
and Buzzard represented the morning’s raptors. But it was Turtle Dove that
grabbed our attention as we made our way across the flood. Lesser and Common Whitethroat,
Cetti’s and Reed Warbler were added to the day list which was making good
progress reaching a healthy 62 species with several common species missing from
the tally....
Next stop Isle of
Sheppey....
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