STEVE ASHTON'S WILDLIFE GALLERY

February 2008

Oare Marshes.

I visited the reserve at Oare marshes this morning, in the company of Jim Johnson and Allan Ashdown, and we was joined by Mike Gould a little later. Arriving at 07.45 a.m, we walked West along the Swale, towards Dans Dock, noting Redshank, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwits, Ring Plover and Dunlin, all feeding on the exposed mud, with the tide at its lowest. 2 Female Marsh Harriers were seen on the North side of the Swale, as was a Ring-tailed Harrier, and several Shell Duck were feeding along the far shore. The area around Dans Dock held at least 20 Reed Buntings, with a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Chaffinches and Greenfinches were noted, a distant Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard and 2 Pied Wagtails were chasing each other around the concrete apron just past Dans Dock. The West flood held several Wild fowl, noting Wigeon and Tufted Duck in high numbers. On the Swale, 12 Great Crested Grebes were feeding, and in amongst them was a Female Scaup, not too far away from the shore, allowing clear views through our scopes, a just reward for the long walk, in a chilly wind. It was on the way back that we bumped into Mike, and we all commented on the high number of Reed Buntings, continually being seen along the Swale, as we made our way back towards the car park.
We continued on to the sea view hide, with a single Rock Pipit showing very briefly, 5 Turnstones feeding on the rocks, and 2 large flocks of Dunlin flying past us, looking for a suitable place to feed. Skeins of Brent Geese made there way Westward , and Cormorant, with more Shell Duck and Oyster-catchers were continually being observed. From the Sea view hide, 96 Avocet were resting on the point, and Gulls were represented by Great and a few Lesser Black Backed, Common and Black-headed. Several Black-tailed Godwits were feeding on the South Eastern corner of the East flood, and a Little Egret circled above, as we reached the sluice gate. A Grey Heron was seen, 2 Stonechats, 1 Fieldfare and still more Reed Buntings as we made our way to the East flood hide, where Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard and Teal were seen, with several Coots and 9 Moorhens also noted. In amongst the Black-tailed Godwits seen earlier on the South Eastern corner, we could now see 5 Ruff, hidden as we walked around past the sluice gate. We stopped in a lay-by along the entrance road, but could not add to the list, but it gave a photo opportunity for a female wigeon feeding on the West scrape. Another enjoyable morning spent at my favourite Kent reserve.