Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Sightings - February 2023

Katherine Crowther
, 02 March 2023
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Sightings - February 2023
Flock of Ruff © Barry Yates

February has seen plenty of birdlife on the nature reserve. A small group of dark-bellied Brent Geese were regularly on the river and the saltmarsh near the Discovery Centre all month, with 28 being the largest total. These are a small goose, not much bigger than a Mallard. During March large flocks of Brent Geese will pass the reserve flying eastward close to the shore, on their way north to breed in northern Russia.

Brent Geese
Brent Geese

Also on the Saltmarsh was a regular flock of about 100 Curlew, with numbers increasing to about 300 whilst roosting at night. Other waders included 2 Little Stint on several dates through the month, mostly visible from the Gooder's Hide. At high tide there were large roosts of Oystercatchers, Duniln and Sanderlings - numbering as many as 78 on 19th Feb. Two Avocet were seen on 4th, increasing in number to 40 on the 24th. Lapwing and Golden Plover numbered in hundreds for most of the month while Ruff were also regular, with 18 being the most visible together on 6th, including a white headed one. Groups of 5+ Snipe have also been visible from the Gooder's Hide.

Ducks have been numerous, with Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Pintail commonly seen throughout the month. At the start of the month, there were large numbers of Common Scooters in Rye Bay, with 500 + reported on the 6th and there was a male Goosander seen on the river and on Flat Beach occasionally in the first two weeks.

In other areas of the reserve, Grey and Red-legged Partridge were seen regularly in the fields around Ternery Pool all month, and a Peregrine caught and killed a Grey Partridge there on the 10th. Several Dartford Warbler have been seen through the month amongst Bramble scrub, as were several pairs of Stonechat. The regular adult Spoonbill was seen regularly until 14th.

Stonechat © Richard Pettett
Stonechat © Richard Pettett

Other highlights included a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on 6th and the sighting of a Grass Snake during a land management work party.

Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell

In pockets of the reserve, flowering plants can be seen with Common Whitlowgrass and Red Deadnettle in flower all month.

Red Deadnettle
Red Deadnettle
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Comments

  • Antonia Noble:

    We have had 5 or 6 sightings of a Great White Egret by our pond & around our neighbour’s pond & walking down the ditch towards the River Tillingham. Is this unusual? Of course it may not always be the same one so there may be more than one!

    03 Mar 2023 16:21:00

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