Minibus Trip to Elmley NNR (14 January 2023)
“Despite the challenging weather – winds gusting to 40mph and plenty of rain – we had a most enjoyable trip to Elmley” (according to John Strachan) on the Isle of Sheppey. Thank you to all the participants for joining in so good naturedly. Their only moment of rebellion was a mass visit to the café before going down to the windswept viewing screen overlooking the mud of the Swale estuary. You’ll find some great photos by John on our group’s Facebook page which give a flavour of the day.
As we journeyed towards Elmley we seriously doubted our sanity as rain lashed down and wind buffeted the van. But even in such conditions there were things to be seen. Just before we turned off the main road onto the reserve a stoat, identified by the black tip to its tail, shot across the road.
One of the highlights of Elmley is the entrance track where you can stop as you spot things, but you can’t leave your vehicle. On arrival this was challenging as windows steamed up and one side of the bus had no view due to the rain on the windows. Some people glimpsed Mallards, Shelduck, Mute Swans, Curlew, Marsh Harriers, Lapwing and Skylarks. On departure however the weather had cleared and everyone had much better views, even though it was getting dark. Marsh Harriers sent up groups of Lapwings, but the Curlew stayed put, added to which there were small murmurations of starlings. The most popular thing though were 3 hares which sat right next to our minibus and posed for photos. Thanks must go to Huw, our driver, for patiently putting up with all our requests to stop and also for spotting lots of species from his vantage point at the front.
We had been given permission to take our bus down the 2km track from the main car park to the hides and park it there until our trip back. Just as well because the heavens opened as we returned to the main car park after lunch. Those of us who chose to walk added a Stonechat and Meadow Pipits to our day’s total and heard a Cetti’s Warbler but were grateful for our waterproofs!
The middle part of the day was spent visiting the Wellmarsh and South Fleet Hides around the pools in the centre of the reserve (waterproof footwear came in handy to reach South Fleet Hide). The hides provided a dry refuge and a good spot for lunch. Plenty of Canada, Greylag and Brent Geese were spread across the area and careful scanning found a family group of 8 White-fronted Geese in the distance. John managed a photograph as they left for other parts of the island; maybe to re-join the flock of 140 at Shellness? The pool edges gave nice views of wigeon delicately cropping the grass. A Kestrel made several passes and perched in a tiny tree. It was noticed how low the Marsh Harriers were flying as they tried to catch unsuspecting prey. Golden Plover were spotted wheeling above the Lapwing on one of the many occasions that the Lapwing rose in panic. A couple of Stock Doves were seen but one large flock of ‘mixed pigeons’ turned out to be nearly all Stock Doves, as Neil Anderson pointed out from a photo on Facebook. If we’d been in these hides at high tide, they’d have been some waders as well!
Whether you took the bus or walked back to the main car park many of us met the volunteer warden. He even gave Molly and Pat a lift in his car as we trudged along in the rain. His knowledge of owls was impressive and he explained why he thought the Short-earred Owls that Elmely is famous for weren’t venturing out in daylight this year. There are thought to be 10 around but maybe harassment from Kestrels last year is making them more cautious. Barn Owls had been seen at about 14:30 on previous days but as the brief calmer and brighter patch ended and the wind increased again there was no chance of that. However, the view from the screen did produce lots of feeding waders, when you got your eye in and distinguished them from the mud, including Grey Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatchers and probably Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits. Huge numbers of ducks flew up from the fields onto the Swale as the tide came in. Just as “it was getting interesting” (according to John and David) the majority voted to return to the bus and spend the rest of our time on the entrance track. Leaving the reserve we thought the excitement was over but no…the old bridge over the Swale was closed for a ship to pass through. They leave a long time to prepare for this and we waited 10 minutes while Lady Clara slowly approached the impossibly small looking gap. Once through, the missing section of bridge descended horizontally from high above and the railway and road slotted back into place – an impressive sight. There was no more excitement on the way home just dozing people in gently steaming clothes as we dried out.
It was one of those trips which I think we have to chalk up as ‘memorable’. 45 species were seen – 46 if you count the bizarre Crested Polish Hens whose food the House Sparrows were stealing.
Ailsa Few “We certainly had a challenging day weather wise but it certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm! What a perfect place to see so many birds. Of course, my favourite was the Marsh Harrier and closely followed by the furry ones – the hares!! Shame we didn’t see any owls but it was far too windy for them!”
David and Dinah Goldberg “We greatly enjoyed the Isle of Sheppey walk – a wonderful opportunity to see the edge of the earth, the sea and sky and plethora of birds.”
by Rebecca Dunne