Faversham area 12th July

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The afternoon began by checking the Wall Lizard report near Faversham.  About seven were found along a flint wall, and which proved to be the brown-backed form of the species. These included a couple of sub-adults probably born the previous year, so in all likelihood a well established colony is present.  The differences between the sexes seemed less obvious than I have seen elsewhere with this form.







Afterwards we went to Oare marshes, arriving about 3 pm, with high tide being some three hours later. The timing of the visit was therefore optimal for birds roosting on the east flood, and in due course included large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, several Whimbrel, a male Ruff, though best of all the Lesser Yellowlegs and Bonaparte's Gull which both flew in after 5 pm.  The yellowlegs was quite close but the gull more distant, just in front of the pack of godwits. The gull still has a full black hood and has been returning to Oare every year for the last eight years.


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