RXwildlife Sightings

At Ternery Pool 43 Mediterranean Gull and 52 Sandwich Tern were present this morning, on the main breeding island to the right of the Crittall Hide, while a Peregrine loitered briefly before heading off east. On the Beach Reserve, eight Wheatear were present, six of these at the south-eastern corner of Flat Beach, while a bird was again present on Harbour Farm. In addition, 3 Pintail were on the Quarry, while 32 Turnstone were feeding south of the red-roofed hut, showing little concern for the presence of people and allowing excellent views.

At Ternery Pool this morning 42 Mediterranean Gull were present among the multitudes of Black-headed Gull, while 41 Sandwich Tern roosted to the east of Crittall Hide. On the Beach Reserve, at least two Wheatear were active near the river mouth, with a third bird present on Harbour Farm, while a pair of Pintail frequented the Quarry. At the Long Pit, the Slavonian Grebe could still be seen and is showing signs of moulting into breeding plumage.

The Woodland Trust ( www.woodland-trust.org.uk )has recently announced its success in acquiring the south part of Guestling Wood. The Trust now owns the whole of this historic site and can guarantee public access and sympathetic management.

Today, in the gracious Guestwell Scout Hut, the Woodland Trust hosted a celebration for about a hundred donors and fund-raisers, who ingested large quantities of sandwiches while enjoying speeches from local MP Michael Foster and WT Regional Director John Tucker, who lives in Rye.

 

Read the rest of this entry »

Lots of activity this morning - at last a few migrants: 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Sandwich Terns, an Avocet, a steady northward stream of Meadow Pipits overhead and a few Linnets along the seawall.

In the woods, ramps of ochre soil show up active Badger setts and Wood Anemones are opening.

The scrape was hectic with screaming BH Gulls and tumbling Lapwings, while I could hear the cries of Med Gulls everywhere as they flew out to feed on farmland - at the very least 20 of them. Dabbling duck are still numerous, with Pintail present at the Scrape, the Flood and the Pools. I can’t recall a time when Pintail were so widespread in this area.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gull activity has picked up at Ternery Pool with the recent milder weather, 500+ Black-headed and 37 Mediterranean Gull were making lots of noise this morning. Five Avocet were roosting out from Crittall Hide. By mid morning 22 Sandwich Tern were at Ternery Pool and 3 Wheatear were at the River Mouth.

2 pairs of Lapwing had established territories on pasture by the river, where there were also 3 Redshank & a Green Sandpiper.

Masses of duck were among the flooded tufts of juncus: about 100 each of Wigeon & Teal, perhaps 50 Shoveler, 7 Pintail and small numbers of Mallard & Gadwall.  When some Wigeon flew up a Peregrine immediately appeared above them, and later an adult male Marsh Harrier was quartering the wet fields.

The new excavations on Harbour Farm had a varied selection of birds, 2 Brent Goose, 3 Pintail, 28 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, Mediterranean Gull ,10 Golden Plover, 5 Snipe and Redshank. Four Sandwich Tern were at Ternery Pool, and 26 Mediterranean Gull ( 2 1st winter) had gathered there by mid morning. Two Wheatear were present on the Beach Reserve. The Black-necked and Slavonian Grebe are still frequenting Long Pit.

A Wheatear on Flat Beach, Sandwich Tern and 14 Mediterranean Gull at Ternery Pool were the highlights from the Beach Reserve this Morning. At Castle Water 19 Little Egret, 22 Fieldfare, 4 Cettis Warbler and a Firecrest in scrub by the viewpoint. Also there this evening was a pair of Great Crested Grebe fishing for Perch very close to the viewpoint, we saw them catch 4 or 5 in about 10 minutes.

Read the rest of this entry »

At long, long last, a Wheatear was seen around the Old Lighthouse and two Black Redstarts and a Firecrest were also found. Two Marsh Harriers came in from the south and a Peregrine Falcon also flew over. The Wood Lark was relocated at the southern end of the Long Pits. It was very quiet at sea with just four Sandwich Terns east of note.

Dave Walker from DBO website