Another visit to the children today for a birthday party of course meant going via Oare Marshes ( a long detour)
Arrived weather was overcast and miserable and no sign of THE GULL but a near summer plummage Ruff was a great sight. with reed and sedge warbler close by masses of Black Tailed Godwit and a sprinkle of avocets sitting watching from the car was no hardship. After an hour an unusual gull appeared in the distance the wing patterns and size looked very "little Gull" on landing it was obvious it was no little gull but the much admired BONAPARTES GULL a vagrant from North America. The gull was much darker than photos seen and did not resemble any description in Collins . Also checking Field Guides of birds of the USA this would be a difficult ID. Noticable smaller than the Black headed Gulls. Watched for 45 minutes as it preened chased starlings and had a little snooze. Bird number 150 for 2013 also a lifer and the second lifer for Oare Marshes ( should we have moved there instead of Dymchurch/Dungeness) A car pulled up beside us and out came Derek Tutt many a year since I met him, last time was showing him the Medway Valley Eagle Owl . Nice to meet up.
Visit finished with a fly over hobby. Total only 35 but quality not quantity.
BIRDING AND WILDLIFE IN KENT
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