Long-billed Dowitcher and Red-necked Phalarope at Oare Marshes

31st August 2017

Time for another visit to the superb Oare Marshes, especially now that the long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher had been joined by a Red-necked Phalarope. When we arrived there was plenty to see, but photography had to be put on hold until early afternoon when the sun had crossed the road and was now illuminating the birds. Most of the warblers had gone, but there were still one or two young Reed Warblers skulking around low in the reeds.

Another little brown job was scurrying around on a bridge and then a shrill "cheep" revealed its identity as a Cetti's Warbler. This was a particularly scruffy individual which seemed to be due to the combination of bathing and being in heavy moult.

There were a number of Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst the cattle on the other side of the road, but every now and then one or two would fly over to the East Flood and feed along the bank.

A solitary Grey Heron was patrolling the shallows looking for dinner and a trio of Avocets were having a preen in readiness for the afternoon's activities.

Black-tailed Godwits are always well represented at Oare and today was no exception, with many of the birds still in their breeding plumage. Birds were generally not so close today, but a Ruff did provide some photographic opportunities.

The numbers of Golden Plovers were building up nicely and were glinting in the sun. A few had traces of their summer breeding plumage, but will soon be in full winter plumage.

So what about the main targets of the day, the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Red-necked Phalarope? Well the phalarope was on view from the momemt we arrived but always distant, and it took a couple of hours to find the dowitcher which was also far away. During the afternoon there was a heavy shower which lasted for at least half an hour and when we emerged from the car, the dowitcher was feeding in the closest section just 30 yards from the road.

After 10 minutes the dowitcher flew off and was almost immediately replaced by the phalarope which spent the next hour spinning around in circles in full sunshine.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?