Trip reports
Elmley Marsh Field Trip Report
Barn Owl - Tina Lowe
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Already present in the car park were trailers and other vehicles from a crew filming Great Expectations at the reserve, although they were not apparent during our day.
Heading down towards the hides, we paused to inspect the ditches lying a distance to the left of the path, observing widgeon, a couple of teal and mute swan, and a sizeable flock of golden plover on the adjoining field. A marsh harrier patrolled overhead, the first of several raptors this day.
Continuing along the track, a brown hare ran through the fields, a curlew flew overhead, and Canada geese and reed bunting were also sighted. The group then paused for excellent views of a female kestrel perched on a gate. A little further ahead, a female marsh harrier was seen on the ground, with another curlew nearby.
While most of the group pressed ahead directly to Counterwall Hide, three of us bringing up the rear took our chances with a stop at Wellmarsh Hide, only to find that the adjoining lake had been drained due to algae. Nevertheless, pied wagtail, lapwing, skylark, and perhaps the same female kestrel as earlier were observed, while in the more distant ditches greylag, Canada goose, mallard, teal, and widgeon could be seen. Moving on to join the rest of the group at Counterwall Hide, we found debate raging as to the identity of a distant raptor, eventually settled as juvenile peregrine. This hide afforded better views of the ditches and lakes holding many teal, some shelduck, avocet, and great black-backed gull.
Faced now with the long walk to Spitend Hide, some of the group started off towards this furthest edge of the reserve, while others stayed closer to home. Little of note was seen while walking, but on arrival we were rewarded with curlew, avocet, dunlin, redshank, and grey plover, including one grey plover with strikingly unusual plumage. A marsh harrier was patrolling above the treeline to the north of the hide. Little egret, cormorant, great crested grebe, and common gull were also sighted.
Heading back, the group was amused by a Brent goose with only the head and neck visible due to its location in a dip in the meadow adjoining the path. Peering over the seawall, oystercatchers and great black-backed gull were seen, and a green sandpiper was identified by its call by one of the party. As we continued on, first a marsh harrier soared ahead, and then a short-eared owl was spotted quartering some way ahead. A trio of raptors was then completed by the appearance of a buzzard. Rejoined by members of the group who had diverted to a hide in the centre of the reserve, we learned that they had seen great white egret and ringed plover.
Finally, heading along the final stretch of path to the car park, we stopped for a good few minutes to watch a barn owl patrolling along the ditches and field edges. Satisfied with our lot, we headed on and met a local birdwatcher near the warden's office who was delighted to hear that the barn owl had been seen, as there had been no sightings for several weeks. His photos of the short-eared and barn owls of Elmley Marsh are well worth a look on his Web site www.kentyeti.co.uk
Written by Ed King