Birding at Oare Marshes Volunteer Update - February 2022

Oare Marshes is a beautiful and atmospheric nature reserve situated on the south side of the Swale estuary, alongside the mouth of Faversham Creek. It's a fantastic site for bird watching at any time of the year, but it’s during the Spring and late Summer/early Autumn bird migration periods that it really comes into its own. 

There is a saying at Oare that anything can turn up and often does and in recent times rare birds such as White Rumped Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson’s Phalarope, Long Billed Dowitcher, Savi’s Warbler, Black Winged Stilts, Spotted Crake, American Golden Plover Glossy Ibis, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Garganey, Spoonbill and even a White Tailed Eagle have all put in an appearance. “Napoleon” the Bonaparte’s Gull has also returned several years running in early Summer. 

All the more usual migrant birds can be found of course: Wheatear and Whinchat in the meadows to the West, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpipers on the East Scrape and Whimbrel on the tidal mudflats plus the highlight of an Osprey fishing on the Swale. Longer staying Summer birds such as Yellow Wagtail and Turtle Dove plus our resident Bearded Tits and Water Rail all seem to do well. 

During an Autumn storm, when most sensible people are keeping warm at home, hardened birders can be found hunkered down beside the sea wall hide eagerly anticipating the unusual sea birds that the strong Northerlies blow into the mouth of the estuary. Hundreds of Skuas have come in close to shore together with the elusive Sabine’s Gull, a few Shearwaters, Auks, Gannets, Black and Arctic Terns, Little Gulls etc. 

In Winter hunting Owls and Harriers, including the beautiful male Hen Harrier are always possible so whatever the weather or time of year there is always something for visitors to see, and if you happen to chance on the regular Monday Volunteer work party come and say hello to us. You never know there might even be cake!