Kent - Isle of Sheppey and Oare Marshes!

The North Kent Coast including The Isle of Sheppey was scheduled to be a regular haunt for myself and Pete in Spring and Autumn. Spring visits were almost wiped out due to travel restrictions but we did manage a trip last Wednesday following a revision of travel guidelines.


High tide at The Swale from Shell Ness was the first stop of the day. Shorebird numbers were low with Bar tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and hundreds of Oystercatcher packed onto the small spit. Redshank and Avocet were also observed on the salt marsh.

(phone through telescope)

An Eider that was in moult was spied on The Swale drifting round as the tide came in. Single Sandwich and Common Terns were noted.


A Red footed Falcon had been reported at Oare Marshes therefore a walk around Swale NNR was to be the order of the afternoon in anticipation of the bird venturing the short distance across The Swale onto the reserve. Black Kite had recently been reported in the area and again this area would be an ideal place to pick one up.

Sadly neither graced us with their presence but there was plenty of other species to keep us occupied. A Great White Egret in all its breeding glory was found on one of the pools. The bird was unsettled on the pools suggesting it had arrived in the area that day. The bird was later seen negotiating the Sheppey coastline.

Corn Bunting was observed near the reedbeds but proved difficult to photograph with the light and heat haze. Marsh Harrier was seen in good numbers along with a Hobby which was hawking insects eating on the wing. Yellow Wagtail were numerous in the fields.


The news services (Thanks Ed) were reporting the Red footed Falcon in the same spot as evening drew in. The temptation was too much to resist in the end and the journey around to Oare Marshes was taken. We arrived about fifteen minutes too late as the bird had flown off. This provoked a discussion about the old Harty Ferry service which may have saved valuable time getting from point A to B!

Oare Marshes was however hiding gems of its own as Bittern boomed before dusk, Corn Bunting were singing and a Barn Owl hunted over the reedbeds late evening.


It had been the perfect day with a gentle breeze and sunny conditions keeping the rarity hunters out until dark! Pete's blog and ebird counts Here