Seymour Birdies Diary: A Lesser Yellowlegs at Oare Marshes

22nd July 2020

A Lesser Yellowlegs had been present at Oare Marshes for a few days so time for a second July visit. The bird was favouring the East Flood, so we started along the sea wall watching the incoming tide to give the sun time to get round behind the road.

There were quite a few Black-headed Gulls but no sign of the Bonaparte's. However, what was a surprise was the five Mediterranean Gulls out on the mud. There were probably more but I only had binoculars and these were the only ones I could be sure of. I have been coming to Oare Marshes for several years now, normally at this time of year, and before now I have never seen or heard a single Med Gull. No doubt a few have been recorded over the years as they have been increasing in numbers, but I have seen them here on both visits this year.

There were a few Black-tailed Godwits out on the water's edge and coming in with the tide.

The advantage of this is that we knew they would eventually fly and in which direction, so it was just a matter of waiting. You can see that some of them are in various stages of wing moult.

And as if by prior arrangement a single Whimbrel appeared way out on the mud. However, it was obviously curious about our presence on the sea wall and slowly made it s way towards us, eventually feeding amongst the rocks at our feet.

I suspect it was a juvenile as the crown stripe was fairly inconspicuous. For its finale it caught a crab. This is not the first time we have had close views of Whimbrel here and I believe it is one of the best places in the south-east to photograph them. There were about 20 present in all but mainly flying around calling in the distance.

Back at the East Flood now that the sun has gone round and the Bonaparte's Gull had taken up its usual position on the scrape and was mostly asleep. This was about as awake as it got!!

And remembering what I said about the Med Gulls? Well there were at least three individuals right in front of the viewpoint, a rather scruffy moulting adult bird, and adult just showing the first signs of moult, and a 2CY bird. They have suddenly arrived!!

There was also a selection of waders including good numbers of Avocet. Just consider how well they have done when back in the 1950s the only place you could see them was at Havergate Island under the watchful eye of Reg Partridge.

There were also good numbers of Dunlin whereas only two weeks ago there were none, so migration is certainly underway.

Even four Golden Plover had appeared which will be joined by several more in the next few weeks.

The vast numbers of Black-tailed Godwits never fail to impress as they roost in large flocks in the centre of the flood. A few continue feeding in the bay in front of the viewpoint allowing some shots to be taken..................

.................and also find time for that important feather management.

This is one of the few birds in winter plumage.

Male Ruff are also starting to appear, but are gradually losing their gaudy breeding plumage.

Certainly a lovely load of waders to photograph.

But the purpose of today's visit was to see and hopefully photograph the Lesser Yellowlegs. The bird was very elusive at first and despite being seen early morning, disappeared for the whole of the morning. It eventually turned up from nowhere in the afternoon and fed for an hour or so in the bay in front of the viewpoint.

It was distant for most of the time, but did come closer a couple of times showing off that needle-like bill and its yellow legs, although most of the time these were covered in mud.