In the past I have spent
a considerable amount of time on the Isle of Sheppey. The island situated off
the north coast of Kent offers a diverse range of habitats with hills, farmland
and coastal areas which provide feeding grounds for migratory birds.
The winter months are
best to see raptors which have included Rough Legged Buzzard in the past. Hen
and Marsh Harrier and Merlin are also regulars during this period. Geese, swans
and shorebirds also congregate on the fields and coastal areas.
Sheppey was a former venue for my owl race where I would attempt to see the five species that
frequent England (Tawny, Barn, Little, Short-eared and Long -eared) in one day.
The Harty Ferry Inn which is situated on the opposite bank to Oare Marsh was
always a welcome stopping point to refuel!
Today’s plan included
a pit-stop for lunch at The Harty Ferry Inn which incidentally is expanding its
business to include accommodation which is currently in the construction phase.
I will be keeping an eye on this despite the drive from home to Sheppey being
around 90mins. A stop on the way added Cuckoo and closer views of Whimbrel that
were feeding in a field.
After lunch we headed
to the shoreline Pete locating a Med Gull in a small group of Black-headed
Gulls. We then headed off to Shellness which is situated at the mouth of The
Swale and the North Sea.
The tide was now on
the turn and the exposed mudflats were being filled by an almost constant flow
of shorebirds. Curlew, Knot, Grey Plover, and Bar-tailed Godwit were added to
the day list. Sadly this was not the only areas that were exposed as part of
this stretch of beach is now a nudist beach!!
Further along the
beach we found groups of terns, Little, Common and Sandwich which were observed
from near the pill box. The Kent part of the trip was complete with 79 species
recorded. The obsmobile just had to dash back to the smoke before the rush hour
took hold.
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| (Sea Holly) |
The day however was
not over last stop Beddington Farm....
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