August 2008
Oare Marshes on a blustery day.
12/08/08
Whimbrel, seen from the Sea watch hide at Oare.
I spent a couple of hours at Oare Marshes this morning, arriving at 10.30 a m, meeting Mike Gould who was already there. A Curlew Sandpiper was feeding close in on the East Flood, with 3 Little Stints, 6 Dunlin, 3 Knot and a few Ruff keeping it company. Although close in, they were too far out for decent photographs, so with the arrival of Tim Hodge and Gadget, we made our way to the East flood hide, cameras at the ready, but not a shot being fired in anger. There were several Greenshank hugging the shore line of the island in front of us, but again just too far out for any decent images. We then walked around the East flood, noting Reed Buntings, Linnets and the usual Waders feeding on the newly exposed mud in the creek, as the tide receded. We spent 40 minutes in the sea watching hide, as a Whimbrel offered a welcome distraction from the several Black-headed Gulls that were feeding below us on the mud. We then carried on back to the cars, and I remained for a short while looking over the East flood as the others retreated for home. They never missed anything. A quiet day but spent in good company.