Monday 14 August 2017

Long-billed Dowithcher: Oare Marshes, Kent

Early morning call from Brian and we are on route to Oare Marshes. Having parked up in the car park by the causeway we walked back along the entrance track to scan the East Flood. A beautiful morning weather wise, but as is normal here viewing conditions were not good from the West. We scanned along the margins and managed to locate a couple of Curlew Sandpipers feeding among a group of Dunlin. 
With no sign of the Dowitcher, we headed for the East side, stopping several times to scan for any sign of the Bonaparte's Gull, finding it quickly among Whimbrel, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits and numerous Black-headed Gulls. Now without the black hood, it had on a previous visit two weeks ago.



We continued around the seawall and joined the two other birders on the East side of the Flood, who told us that the Dowitcher had disappeared into the reeds. After a brief wait, we were soon getting superb scope views of the Dowitcher. It began feeding along the edge of the reeds in the company of several Lapwing, Godwits and a single Snipe. 





After watching it feed for 15-20 minutes it then took flight and landed at the end of the reeds among a flock of Godwits, Lapwings, Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank and another pair of Curlew Sandpipers.






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