Friday 24th July - Oare Marshes

- July 25, 2020

It had been planned to visit Oare Marshes again this year once waders had started to return and so following reports of lesser yellowlegs there this week Jenny contacted me to ask if I was available.

We arranged to meet up at 8.30 a.m on Friday. I arrived a bit early and briefly looked at what was around but without much success as I didn't bring my scope with me and so I waited for the Sussex contingent of Jenny, Tim, Sue and Becky who all arrived on time.

Our first task was to try and find the Bonaparte's gull which is a regular visitor each year and had been reported again recently in the usual stretch of beach by the slipway. As usual it took a long time searching for one black head amongst all the chocolate coloured heads of the many black headed gulls. After a few false identifications we eventually managed to convince ourselves that we had found the right bird by also comparing the bill colour (black not red), the brighter colour and shorter length of the legs. When side by side with a black headed gull it is also possible to notice the darker grey upper parts of the Bonaparte's gull.

Next we moved on to the flood to look for the lesser yellowlegs and it was quickly found by Jenny, I think. Also present were 3 knots in summer plumage and several ruffs in different stages of moulting plumage. Many black tailed godwits were also on the flood with lapwing, redshank and dunlin.

Next we started out on the circuit around the reserve where we were hoping to see bearded tits.

After a few inconclusive early glimpses of possible birds, some of which were sedge warblers, we continued walking round until we finally heard the distinctive pinging sound which alerted us to the presence of a bearded tit nearby. With all eyes scouring the reeds we finally saw the bird break from cover and fly across to another reed bed. Becky was particularly pleased as she had not seen one before. Another bird of note seen on the circuit was a water rail seen at distance on the edge of the reedbeds.

By now I was getting hungry and went on ahead to get my sandwiches from my car. Unfortunately while I was away everyone else saw a spotted redshank which could not be refound when I returned.

After everyone else had their lunches we spent the rest of the time scanning the flood as more birds

came in as the tide was rising but despite rumours of a curlew sandpiper having been seen by other birders earlier we could not find one.

Other birds seen during the day included marsh harrier, pied wagtail, shelduck, whimbrel, reed warbler, yellow wagtail.

Photos from the day are shown below.