Black Winged Stilt Family make it to Oare Marshes

                                              5th July 2018  : Oare Marshes


                                                                       

Black Winged Stilt.

On Thursday the 5th July news of a family party of Black winged Stilts had appeared at Oare marshes , so without haste i headed straight there and although they were not in view at first they flew up from the south west lagoon and  landed in the South east corner , i made my way around towards the sluice and met up with MW and had decent scope views of this superb family of Black winged Stilts comprising of 2 Ad & 2 Juvs.

♂ Black winged Stilt.

I was informed that they had successfully bred in a private location on Sheppey (i had heard rumors of this a few weeks before) , so i am absolutely delighted to see the family party here.

♂ & ♀ Black winged Stilt.

2 Juvenile Black winged Stilts.

The light wasn't great for photography but i really did enjoy just watching these stunning looking birds , hopefully they will stick around for awhile so others can see them to.

Black winged Stilt.

2nd July 2018  : Kilnsea Wetlands & Beacon Ponds

Avocet.

On Monday the 2nd July i was invited to Kilnsea Wetlands & Beacon ponds in the hope of seeing the Squacco Heron , although i have seen 2 before in the UK (Kent & Somerset) and plenty abroad i fancied a days birding and seeing yet another Squacco Heron would be great to.

Avocet coming into land.

A long story short we didn't see the Squacco Heron but had a great days birding with 100+ Little Gulls with most of them being adult birds , truly an amazing sight.

Huge numbers of Little Gull.

Adult Little Gull.

Little Gulls in flight.

There was plenty of waders around including some close views of Avocet, i also added my first Curlew Sandpiper of the year , plenty of Redshank, Dunlin and a single Knot were all seen.

Whilst scanning through the Black headed Gulls, Sandwich Terns & Little Gulls something seemed to spook them and they all took to the sky and i got onto a superb Roseate Tern which flew right towards us and flew over our heads calling .

Adult Roseate Tern.

A really enjoyable days birding at one of the UK's premier sites.