Cooling Marshes

September 3rd


A spare morning arose so it was off to the Marshes hopefully to catch up with some migrants, wasn’t expecting too much in regards to waders as tides were wrong.

A great sunrise heralded a good mornings birding, 2 Kingfishers initially in the Dyke together and a Wheatear on the road on the drive out in low light.

I do like a good sunrise

Wheatear on the way out

A couple of Raptors on the way out included a female Peregrine, juvenile Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard straight out of roost, no early Shorties but a nice perched Yellow Wagtail was good. 

As the sun came up a mixed flock of Swallows/Sand Martins dropped out of the heavens which probably amounted to around 150 birds, many will be on their way very shortly for that epic flight.

Hirundines coming down at dawn

Tilbury bound no doubt

After working a circuit on arrival, an early overhead calling Golden Plover, a couple more Yellow Wagtails and a close Hobby were seen. 

However just about to leave, I came across a flock of 7 Whinchat, a Stonechat and 2 Wheatears which were very flighty and nervous as a Hobby had started to pick off Dragonflies nearby.

Whilst I was watching these I also had a flyover calling Tree Pipit, in all the years doing surveys here I can’t recollect getting one before.

Anyway all good, also added another 5 Whinchat on the way out. 

Surveys start again in October, as much as I like Spring/Summer visits; I don’t think you can beat winters on the North Kent Marshes,whether I'm still saying that in a few months time getting changed at -1 out there with a howling wind is another matter.