A Bit of a Surprise at Oare Marshes

11th September 2020

An early autumn visit to Oare Marshes in the hope of some passage waders. Normally at this time of year we are worried about high water levels which means little exposed mud and therefore no waders near the viewpoint. Today, however, the situation was very different with very little water due to the lack of rain and therefore most of the waders were congregated on the back of the East Flood and therefore still very distant.

Today the plan was to walk along to Dan's Dock hoping for some Wheatears and Whinchats. As we were walking along the sea wall I glanced up and saw a large bird of prey flying towards the river and soon realised it was the Osprey that had been around for a few days. Unfortunately it was flying into the sun and I was only able to get a couple of record shots.

Sadly no Whinchats today but we did find this lone Chiffchaff in a Hawthorn Bush.

Further along a Wheatear was sitting on top of a Sloe bush which was heavy in berries and therefore provided a superb back-drop.

Back by the slipway the tide was still a long way out and the huge expanse of mud had attracted a large number of juvenile Shelducks. I always find the juveniles more photogenic than the more gaudy adults.

Also out on the mud were a few Black-tailed Godwits now all in their drab winter plumage, and at the end of the slipway a small group of Turnstones were rushing around turning their stones as they went.

And not to be left out the annual Bonaparte's Gull was strutting its stuff on its usual patch east of the slipway and is now in full winter plumage. I wonder where it goes in the summer?

Back at the viewpoint the usual handful of House Sparrows were present, which is a bit odd as the nearest houses are hundreds of yards away. Presumably they are there in the hope of a few crumbs from the birders lunch boxes

Out on the newly cut vegetation (well done volunteers) a Meadow Pipit was sifting the hay for some tasty morsels, a Pied Wagtail was having a break from feeding to maintain its feathers and a couple of Yellow Wagtails were flitting around the feet of the cattle.

A male Kestrel flew overhead before hovering over the western field, hunting for voles.

Out on the eastern flood the numbers of waders were building up with good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Redshanks and a sprinkling of Dunlin.

On the nearer drier mud a dozen or so juvenile Ringed Plovers were scurrying around alongside a couple of Ruff.

A diminutive Little Stint was showing quite well but very distant although I did manage a couple of record shots.

So what was the surprise I hear you ask. Well, out on the sea wall by the sea-watching hide we were observing a flock of Avocets on the mud. Suddenly they all took to the air and I immediately looked skywards for a bird of prey, perhaps the Osprey.

The first large bird I looked at was a gull, the second bird was a gull, but the third bird was ................a juvenile Gannet flying just above our heads!!

How amazing is that????