Autumn Migration in North Kent

Little ringed plover

Tom Marshall

 A pair of dunlin roosting on a muddy shore

Dunlins © Pete Richman

Water rail bird oare marshes

Image credit: Kevin Duvall

Little Stint oare marshes

Image credit: Kevin Duvall

Greenshank

©Derek Moore

Spotted crake bird oare marshes

Image credit: Kevin Duvall

Autumn Migration in North Kent

Location:
Oare Marshes Local Nature Reserve, Church Road, Oare, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0QA
Book
Observe and find out how to identify wetland birds. Discover how birds navigate during autumn migration and learn about the remarkable journeys they make.

Event details

Meeting point

Meet in the main car park at Oare Marshes. What3Words: roughness.herring.watching.

Date

Time
10am - 4pm
A static map of Autumn Migration in North Kent

About the event

Much of the day at Oare Marshes* will be spent in the field observing and learning about wetland birds and their key identification features.  This will be timed to coincide with high tide when the maximum number of birds use the reserve’s floods and scrapes for roosting and feeding.

During the middle part of the day there will be a presentation on the subject of “Autumn Bird Migration” covering the reasons why birds migrate, how they navigate and prepare for their incredible journeys and the routes they take.

Information and advice will also be provided on binoculars, field guides and other birdwatching equipment.

Participants will be given instruction on how to identify the various species in the field together with information about the characteristics, habitats and behaviour of waders and other wetland birds.

By the end of the day it is expected that participants will be able to answer the following questions:

1.    What are some of the characteristics used to identify waders and other wetland birds?
2.    Autumn migration – why do birds migrate?
3.    How do birds navigate over such prodigious distances?

Led by Tony Swandale, Ornithologist

Suitable for beginners and improvers.

Please note that there are no toilet facilities at this reserve.

*Parking charges apply at Oare Marshes but this is included with your ticket if you book at least 72 hours in advance. To receive free parking you must email the correct number plate of the car you will be using to [email protected] at least 72 hours before the event start time. Please include the date of the event you have booked and the name the booking was made in as part of your email. If you are booking within 72 hours of the event, or do not confirm your number plate by this time, you will need to pay for parking on the day.

Booking

Price

Standard fee: £37.50 per person per day.
Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.

Know before you go

Dogs

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On a lead
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Mobility

Level paths, gentle slopes, firm surface. Up to 2 miles covered, gentle pace with frequent stops.

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What to bring

Binoculars/telescope, all weather clothing, walking shoes/boots, waterproofs, packed lunch and drink.

Standard specifications for binoculars: 8 - 10 x 30 - 50 mm e.g. 8 x 30, 8 x 40, 10 x 40, 10 x 50.  Binoculars with zoom lenses or with magnifications over 10 x, and compact binoculars with lenses of less than 30 mm, are not recommended. (Binoculars can be borrowed if pre-booked).