Back on the 1st August the Carline Thistles, restricted to a tiny area at Rye Harbour, were in full bloom. Today I revisited the site and was surprised to see that very few seeds had been released from the flower heads. In the photo you can just see 1 small parachute escaping from the dense seed head.
Over the past few days the number of wintering Corn Buntings using Harbour Farm has started to increase, 42 birds were counted in flight over Lime Kiln Cottage today. The peak count in november last year was 71.
At 8.15 this morning, a V-formation flock of 32 grey geese headed north low over the Salts at Rye, calling and looking very much like Pinkfeet.
Highlights this morning were, 3 Jack Snipe flushed on Harbour Farm (while checking the goats). One Little Stint was present on Flat Beach Flood. Waders feeding along the shore included, 31 Sanderling, 34 Grey Plover and 50 Dunlin. Yesterday at dusk a Short-eared Owl was hunting along Narrow Pit.Â
The fieldwork season for the National Bird Atlas begins TODAY. For the first time the British Trust for Ornithology will be combining the results of breeding season and winter fieldwork into one national Atlas. Winter fieldwork will start in the winter of 2007/2008 and last for four winters. Breeding season fieldwork will take place in the summers of 2008 to 2011. For more info click here.