RXwildlife Sightings

Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier.

4 Ruff, 60 Golden Plover, 1 Raven.

6/800 Common Scoter & 150 G C Grebes on the sea.

Pete Rouse

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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The two smew were still present in front of Scott hide and had been joined by another three redheads. Three goosander were also seen from Scott hide and two corn bunting were around Hookers pits. Two different Caspian gulls were on Burrowes pit, one showing well on the islands in front of Makepeace hide with a damaged leg, and a third year bird bathing next to the main shingle island in front of the visitor centre. A Dartford warbler was seen in the bushes between the viewing ramp and the return trail and a firecrest was in the willows at the back of the car park. Small numbers of finches moving overhead included three redpoll, five brambling and seventeen siskin.  

A very cold and frosty start to the day, but there was some reward for getting freezing cold feet, 45 Little Egret were counted leaving the roost, 24 White-fronted Geese passed low overhead and appeared to have spent the night at Castle Water, a Barn Owl gave close views and 2 Kingfisher made an early appearance. A few Fieldfare and Redwing had also roosted in the nearby willows. Highlights yesterday included, a late Swallow over Long Pit and a Merlin once again chasing prey over the sea.

Following my two female Firecrests in Rye Cemetery on Nov 2nd, this afternoon Mary & I were surprised to find a male (with a Goldcrest there also) feeding and preening in holly and rhododendron bushes at the top of the lane leading up to The Mount from the Rye boundary along Military Road. How many more are lurking unseen in the many large gardens on Rye Hill?

Christmas shopping weekend and optics demo

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November, 10am to 4pm

Our birdshop will be full of Christmas cards, calendars and gifts and a wide range of binoculars and telescopes. Enjoy a free glass of mulled wine and home-made mince pie while you shop or birdwatch.