Female Marsh Harrier.
I met up with Chidders at Oare Marshes yesterday afternoon the 16th August for high tide in the hope the Terek Sandpiper that was at Swalecliffe earlier in the day might have relocated when it had flown off west at approx 12.30pm , but alas we never re found it.
I had great views of a female Marsh Harrier along the access road on my way into Oare , i eventually meet up with Chidders by the pull in and we scanned the mass of waders that were roosting on the East Flood.
Female Marsh Harrier.
Mixed flock of waders including Sanderling.
There the usual high numbers of Black Tailed Godwit , Avocet and Redshank , plus smaller numbers of Golden Plover , Dunlin , Lapwing and Ruff .
We also added single Sanderling and Greenshank , There was quite a large amount of Sand Martins feeding over the flood with the odd Swallow mixed in , i had a scan around for the Bonapartes Gull without success although it was seen earlier in the day . We had a few Yellow Wagtails fly over plus i had a close view of one earlier when i was walking towards the flood from my car.
Close Yellow Wagtail.
We decided to walk around the flood behind the hide towards the sluice and although there was a small selection of waders there we didn't add anything new , however a close young Water Rail feeding along the reed edge was a pleasant surprise , after a while we headed back to the cars and said our goodbyes and then all of a sudden all the birds took to the air from the flood as a Common Buzzard drifted over head and spooking everything .
Ruff and a Lapwing having a preen.
Spooked Golden Plover.
