Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Dip

The only rare thing today was me twitching resulting in something that I do a lot- not seeing anything of particular historical signifcance.

However after dipping the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Lee and I went to Oare Marshes, surely the finest wader site in the south east.

Early autumn is a great time to see adult waders moulting into winter plumage. There were 11 Ruff, all males, presumably the females go elsewhere and the juveniles will follow very shortly. Also a family party of Little Ringed Plover with four juveniles- a classic late July sight. There were about 12 Whimbrel, including five flying off south west at dusk- this movement will pick up over the next few weeks. Only two or three Black-tailed Godwits so the majority are presumably still in Iceland and/or heading this way. 2 adult summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper were the highlight. Four Teal, family parties of Pochard, four juvenile Shelduck, eclipse and juvenile plumaged flocks of Mallard, juvenile Pied and Yellow Wagtails, family parties of Bearded Tits in the Reeds and the odd scratching of late singing Reed Warblers- all classic late July features.