Rye Harbour - April 14th 2007
We arrived at Rye Harbour Car Park just before 09.30, and found that the parking was free. We walked along the path towards the reserve, encountering Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Dunnocks which all showed well. We arrived at the first scrape where there were Little and Common terns, a pair of Avocets, a Knot and Redshank, plus the usual ducks. It turned out that the pair of Little Terns were the first that had been reported this year. A flock of Turnstones was on the harbour wall.
We arrived at the visitors centre and were told that the Ternery Pool would be the most productive. The sightings board told us of the good birds to be seen. There are three circular walks, one hour, two hours & four & a half hours.
We continued on our way at a very slow pace enjoying the many birds. On the shingle, and the posts surrounding it, there were about ten Wheatears. A flock of about 120 Golden Plover, most in breeding plumage, was sitting on the shingle, the colours really stunning in the morning sun.
We eventually arrived at the Ternery pool. There were many nesting and courting birds including Sandwich Terns, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Black-headed Gulls. Also at this pool there must have been the highest concentration of Mediterranean Gulls in the country. From the two hides overlooking this pool we saw at least twenty pairs.
Meadow Pipit on the reserve fence
Mediterranean Gulls with a pair of Black-Headed Gulls in the foreground.
At this point the paths divert for the two shorter walks. The majority in our group opted for the two hour walk. This proved to be quiet at first, but after a while a Yellow Wagtail was seen, approx 6 Cetti’s Warblers were heard, and a Sedge Warbler was also seen. In all over sixty species were seen on what was probably the hottest day of the year so far.
This is a wonderful reserve; the paths are mostly flat with tarmac surfaces, so the walking is easy. It turned out to be a terrific outing, which judging by the comments of the group, was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Dave Jones (photographs by Phil Farrer)
Ringed Plover
Two of the many Sandwich Terns