Oare Marshes on a bleak, slightly drizzly, dark, cold and overall dismal day makes for good birdwatching in my opinion, not good necessarily for good photos though.
It always reminds me of the opening scene in the original 1950’s production of Dicken’s ‘Great Expectations’ and wandering around you’re half expecting for the Convict to suddenly jump out at you.
After all, Oare is close to Dickens Rochester home !
It was one of those days when you don’t think much is going to happen, but within minutes of arriving there a Marsh Harrier was weaving and gliding toward me making a good low fly past for the camera.
I was surprised not to see it suddenly dive for prey, but just carried on toward Faversham.
Male Reed Bunting
By the time I’d walked the half circuit around to the beach the tide was getting just low enough to start bringing in the Waders.
First up were Turnstones, one of my favourites, they appear not too human and camera shy, just popping along the rocks looking and picking treats from the sea.
Left; Pintail – Right; Turnstone
Left; The Large Heron – Right; Redshank
Further along the Redshanks started to appear on one piece of island which broke through the water and a Curlew was patiently waiting for a bit more beach to appear before joining them.
On one of the inland pools I spotted one of the largest Heron’s I’ve seen to date. Many see them as ‘common as muck’ but to me, everyone has their own slight variations and there’s usually a pose with a decent background that’s better than than photos taken previously.
Beside that, the main pool consisted mainly of Teal, Pintails, Lapwings, Shovelers and Wigeon.
Oare is drive time wise the closest beach / marsh to home and it’s a very rare event you won’t see lot’s of something, the occasional rarity all made better by the occasional Boat sailing by.
