Oare Marshes

Black-tailed Godwits (islandica) (above)- these birds originate from Iceland and winter in western Europe. The Oare birds mainly arrive in July and numbers build in early autumn. Later on in the autumn/early winter some birds move to the south coast of Britain (e.g. Langstone Harbour or Bowling Green Marsh), with some moving even further south (to Iberia). On the return to Iceland leg, some birds stage in Ireland before they return to the breeding area. The detail of migration reveals that birds movements are often complex, involving various loops and networks of staging and wintering sites.

Juvenile Avocet (above). The brown wash on the scapulars and tertials, and the brown hue to the dark plumage indicate that this bird was raised this year.

Surpised to see only 3 Dunlin. There is usually a sizeable flock of Dunlin here. Perhaps they are using another roosting site on the Thames Estuary.

1 ad Curlew Sandpiper, 1 ad Little Stint, 2 ad, 1 juv Dunlin, 3 ad Golden Plover, 500+ Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 1 ad LRP, 10+ Greenshank, 12 ad Ruff, 1 Snipe, 4 Common Tern, 15 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 2 Marsh Harrier.