RXwildlife Sightings

As a child one of my favourite seaside pursuits was attempting to defend patches of beach from the incoming tide with sand walls. A similar, but more rewarding endeavour was being pursued by the Medieval inhabitants of Romney Marsh. Land had been progressively reclaimed from the tidal estuary formed in the shelter of the coastal shingle barrier.  Gradually the saltmarshes behind the coastal shingle barrier were turned into farmland. In the thirteenth century, however the sea smashed through the shingle barrier near Rye, causing serious flooding.

The evidence of this battle with the sea remains today in the miles of counterwalls such as this one,  part of the Great Wall which defended the south-western boundary of Walland Marsh in the late thirteenth century.

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As well as the Firecrest that Mary & I found on Thursday at “The Mount” along Military Road, Bob Greenhalf watched one in his garden about half a mile north of there the previous day, and this afternoon Bob & I found another in holly in a garden on the main street in Appledore. They seem to have a particular liking for holly bushes, many of which are covered with berries at the moment. Perhaps we should organise a Firecrest survey!

The two Long-tailed Duck were still present on Long Pit early afternoon, giving excellent views from the eastern end of the pit. Also present here a Scaup and a splendid male Goldeneye. On Harbour Farm, a further three Goldeneye were present on the new pits near Harbour Farm Barns, with a Marsh Harrier hunting nearby, while eleven Grey Partridge (below) were present on Flat Beach Level (with at least four more around the Quarry).
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While watching the ducks on the Long Pit, John Trowell was being watched by a Robin, sitting on his telescope!

This square includes part of the Brede Valley either side of Brede Bridge, as far east as the confluence of the Doleham Stream.
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