On the 27 September 2007 I wrote about the Open Pits, a superb series of natural ponds on the shingle at Dungeness. One of these natural pits is quite different, Wickmaryholm Pit on Lydd Ranges. It is older than the rest and its days are numbered.
At the end of the first month of the BTO/SOS wintering bird atlas, here are the number of species found so far in some tetrads around Rye and the levels. (A tetrad is a 2 x 2 km area of the National Grid.)
TQ 92A (west side of Rye, R.Tillingham, Leasam) 40
TQ 92B (Iden to Rye Foreign) 32
TQ 92F (east side of Rye, East Guldeford) 67
TQ 92G (Saltbarn, Houghton Green, Cliff Farm) 48
TQ 92H (Iden Lock, Bosney) 37
TQ 92K (Moneypenny and levels to east) 34
Still early days - many tetrads both out on the levels and further inland have yet to be visited.
Public events on the nature reserve for 2008 are listed in a new leaflet that is available from Lime Kiln Cottage or by downloading by clicking here.
If you are one of the 1800 Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve you will receive one with your Newsletter in the next few days, together with details of extra events just for members.
29th - A Snow Bunting which flew SW over the Long Pits during the afternoon was the only bird of note.
28th - A miserable, dull and wet day produced a first-winter Caspian Gull on the beach at the fishing boats, seven Red-breasted Mergansers flying west at sea and a single Brambling over the Observatory.
David Walker from DBO website