Not sure of which direction to take this morning, we eventually decided to head towards Kent and hope the Dusky Warbler had remained overnight. Two hours later we arrive at Sandwich Bay. This being a private estate there is a toll charge to enter. A normal day ticket is £7 per car, but if you are going to the Bird Observatory it will only cost you £1.
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| Toll Hut |
Helped by directions from the previous day. ("c300m North of the Chequers pub and just North of golf course reservoir by Ancient highway"), Having quickly found the area, we gained some height by using the large sandhill overlooking the area.Almost immediately the "tak" call was heard and soon afterwards the bird was seen. It regularly gave it's "tak" call allowing us to narrow down its location. For a skulking bird, this individual showed extremely well. It would flit around among the gorse and ground vegetation, but would regularly visit an Elderberry among the gorse allowing for some superb views.
Apart from a couple of Brambling calling overhead the only other highlight was a Woodcock that flew low overhead and seemed to land among the gorse near the roadside.
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| Dusky Warbler |
Before heading for home we stopped off at Oare Marshes and with the tide in on the estuary, large numbers of waders were roosting on the flood. Hundreds of Golden Plover, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits were present. Brian picked out a Purple Sandpiper among the Dunlin and we managed to get a local group on the bird. The Long-billed Dowitcher was still present and spent most of its time asleep, but did wake and start feeding eventually.
Along with the usual Avocets, Lapwings and Redshank several other birds were found among the large flocks including four Greenshank, several Grey Plover and single Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Bar-tailed Godwit. The sight of the large flocks of Dunlin and Golden Plover in flight was a fitting end to the days birding.
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