A day at the Oare Marshes, Kent

A trip to the Oare Marshes in Kent was quite successful, with many birds around. The weather was mostly good, although there was some rain at about 2:30 but it wasn't too heavy. My first look at the East Flood had many Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits and a few Ruff, Dunlin and Lapwing, along with a single Golden Plover. I walked around the reserve, but didn't see much apart from a few Whimbrels on the mud. I then looked at the East Flood from the road again and this time managed to find a Greenshank that had joined the Black-tailed Godwit flock. 

Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing

I decided to walk around the reserve again, and in the hide overlooking the East flood, a group of people pointed out a Curlew Sandpiper, a new bird for me, just moulting out of its red plumage, and very different to the Dunlin around it. A flock of Golden Plover also landed quite near it. Satisfied with my sightings so far, I continued walking around and was happy to find a winter plumage Spotted Redshank viewed from a different angle on the East flood, showing its very long beak. I also soon came across a flock of Yellow Wagtails near the creek, which included some colourful males.

Unfortunately, I did not manage to find the Bonaparte's Gull that was around that day because when I checked the mud where other people had said they recently saw it, a lot of the gulls flew up and landed on the East flood, but when I went to check there, people told me it had flown off to the mud again! I did manage to find 2 Mediterranean Gulls in a group of gulls that had settled though.

I tried to find the Turtle Doves that had been reported on the wires and posts near the field, but could not find any.

I then decided to walk home after what was a great day at the Oare Marshes!

Butterflies seen (including some on the walk to the Oare Marshes)
Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Common Blue.