Kent Birding Highlights for March

                             Kent Birding Highlights for March 2023

                                                                     

Female Ring necked Duck.

Another month staying local mainly visiting Oare Marshes , however a few excursions to other local sites for some star birds were also undertaken.

On the 9th March a trip to Stodmarsh to have another look at the female Ring necked Duck which was still present on the main lake.

Male Black Redstart

A trip to Reculver on the 16th March was rewarded with some cracking views of a very smart Male Black Redstart !!

Male Black Redstart.

The 1st winter Bewick's Swan was still keeping company with the Herd of Mute Swans near the Roman Galley.

Adult Glaucous Gull

On the 18th March a trip to Shakespeare Beach in Dover produced really great views of an Adult Glaucous Gull plus several Rock Pipits.

Glaucous Gull landing on Pier.

On the way back from Dover we popped into Elmstone for another look at the wintering Hume's Leaf Warbler and were not disappointed as it showed really well and was very vocal.

Hume's Leaf Warbler.

There has been a massive eruption of Alpine Swifts streaming into the country from Europe this month and after dipping the 2 birds seen firstly at Shuarts then finally at Oare Marshes i thought i'd missed the boat !!!! 

However on the 23rd March there were up to 3 Alpine Swifts being seen near  Joss Bay in Thanet so after a morning session at Oare marshes a trip there was rewarded with decent views of 1 Alpine Swift flying above the golf course.

Alpine Swift.

Great Grey Shrike.

The wintering Great Grey Shrike at Hothfield Common had begun to show well once again after not being seen for a few weeks , so we headed there on the 30th March and had some superb views of this fantastic bird.

Great Grey Shrike.

Oare Marshes March  Highlights

It's been another really good month at Oare Marshes even though the weather has been wild and very wet at times.

We have seen Barn Owls on every visit with up to 4 birds on one occasion plus 'Ringtail' Hen Harrier on several dates.

Barn Owl.

A female Merlin flying over the East flood on the 9th  was a great bird to see.

 On the 16th i saw my earliest ever Sand Martin beating my previous record by 10 days !!!

A superb long fly past by a Bittern on the 18th was great to see  , also seen on the 18th was a Tufted Duck x Ring necked Duck hybrid (all birds picked out by AE).

Bittern.

Tufted Duck x Ring necked Duck Hybrid.

I was very happy to not only hear but see a new bird for my Oare Marsh life list on the 23rd, that bird was a delightful Firecrest !!!

Firecrest.

Once again it was the great hearing of AE who picked it out at Uplees Copse , also present was a single Goldcrest and 6 Chiffchaffs seen around the reserve.

Firecrest.

Other highlights this month on various dates were ; Great white Egret, Spoonbill, our first Wheatears were also seen near Uplees.

 We also saw the White tailed Eagle  ( G542 : one of the Isle of Wight re introduced birds) distantly looking across towards Spit End on Sheppy.