At this time of year (mid August) I usually make a trip to Sheppey. The first returning migrants from further north are dropping in and our own summer visitors are still about. The Elmley Reserve is enormous, with open marsh landscape making possible fantastic 360° viewing, particularly good for seeing Marsh Harriers and other raptors. Bird watching is not only about counting the number of species I see but enjoying their behaviour and inter-reaction with other species.

On entering the reserve a large flock of hirundines, both House Martins and Swallows, were feeding close to the track. I have often noticed that, when the two species are together, the Swallows feed low to the ground, up to 20 feet, and the House Martins from 20 feet and above. This seems a very sensible arrangement to reduce competition but I am not sure whether it is a difference in the prey that is being hunted that determines the differing heights or whether it is hunting technique. The scene was suddenly interrupted by a very fast moving Hobby (a small falcon) as it dived through the flock of hirundines, scattering them. It was unsuccessful and I was not sure whether to be pleased or not as I have never seen a Hobby catch a bird. Normally I see them hawking dragonflies and eating them on the wing. After the intrusion the air space was abruptly devoid of birds, I have no idea to where the birds disappeared.

If you wish to see Marsh Harrier, Elmley is the best place and usually at least one can be seen nearly all the time, albeit sometimes at some distance. They spend a great deal of time quartering the ground in their leisurely flight action looking for some young birds or amphibians for a quick snack. Whilst in a hide, a Marsh Harrier came pretty close and flew over a group of Shelduck with quite well grown young. To my amazement an adult Shelduck took off like an Exocet missile and flew straight at the harrier who had to take evasive action! The Shelduck repeated the attack two more times until the harrier decided to evacuate. There were plenty of immature Shelduck on the reserve and parental protection is an obvious reason why their breeding has been so successful. In another hide not long afterwards an immature Marsh Harrier dived into the long grass about twenty feet in front of the hide and grabbed a young hare. The leveret was about the size of a half grown rabbit. After a brief struggle the leveret was able to escape.

The reserve’s main water body had had to be drained due to a poisonous algae problem and therefore the number of waders were reduced. There were, however, still approximately one hundred Avocet and one can never be bored watching these delicate waders. Despite their fragile looking bodies they are surprisingly aggressive to all and sundry. Three Ruff were also present as well as a Black-tailed Godwit still sporting much of its summer plumage. The Ruff, who are well known for their extraordinary breeding plumage, were very much into winter plumage, but even this plumage is pretty. All the feathers on the back are diffusely pale fringed making them stand out from other waders. Some of the feathers along the top of the back appear raised as if loosely attached; one particular individual showed this diagnostic trait very obviously. This year has been a good year for seeing Ruff which are on passage from Fennoscandia toWest Africa and Elmley is always a popular spot, as are most Eastern estuaries in Britain. To round off a good day’s birding about six Green Sandpiper were seen on pools near the car park.

Charles Trollope cetetal@aol.com