Meds and Legs in the Kentish sun 17th July 2020

A very hot and sultry afternoon was well spent at Oare Marshes with good light and good company.  The tide had not long turned but there were still heaps of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks on the East Flood along with a minimum of 116 Dunlin including an early juvenile, six Knot, five male Ruff and singles of Spotted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover and Snipe. 

Ruff

A single Whimbrel and a trio floated around but could not settle and Curlews called down by the Swale.

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

I was hoping to connect with the Lesser Yellowlegs after my unlucky visit last Sunday and this dapper little moulting adult was on view for most of the time I was there. The head and breast were already lightening but the mantle feathers still had many dark centres and the flanks were well barred. 

Lesser Yellowlegs

Although Napoleon did not come in and was certainly not out on the mud, there was still some good gull action with a peak count of 14 Med Gulls across the pool.  Most were full adults but there were two 1^st and 2^nd summers and a scaly juvenile amongst them.

All four ages of Med Gull in this one... honest!

Med Gulls: four adult with 2nd summer at the rear

Corn Buntings jangled and Bearded Tits and Water Rails were invisibly vocal while a scan of the wires behind at long last added three Turtle Doves to my year list along with a Buzzard, imm male Marsh Harrier and tatty moulting male Kestrel.

Kestrel

A Spitfire performed a couple of noisy circuits but it was the Bittern sunning itself and having a preen in the edge of the reeds that rounded up a most pleasant afternoon birding in the sunshine.

Spitfire

Bittern