RXwildlife Sightings

Overhead visible migration was dominated by siskin (450 east), meadow pipit (250), house martin (200) and swallow (100). Smaller numbers of other species were also recorded including 20 pied wagtail, 15 yellow wagtail, 5 grey wagtail, 3 tree pipits, 20 goldfinch, and 10 reed bunting. Migrant raptors reported included a common buzzard and sparrowhawk.

Notable records of grounded migrants included the second record of Cetti’s warbler for the site in Warren Glen, 5 crossbill in the Barn Pond area, two redstarts (Fairlight Road Picnic Site & Rocklands Lane) and a spotted flycatcher at Fairlight Road Picnic Site.

For a map showing official places names within the nature reserve click here or on the map below.

Reported by Cliff Dean, Andrew Grace & Alan Parker

After a few hours watching diurnal migration over the Firehills & Warren Glen, we were just leaving the Warren Cottage area at 11.00 when a Cetti’s Warbler rattled from the scrub! Not at all the kind of place I’d expect to see one; they’re more at home in swampy bits of the marsh. This bird obviously didn’t feel at home either, because it was quite easy to see in an Elder bush as it moved about calling anxiously before flying across the path into the dark interior of a Hawthorn. I’m not sure whether this species has been recorded before in the Country Park.
15 minutes before, as the air warmed up, a Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk had risen up over the crest by the church.

A nice selection of passerines on Harbour Farm included three Whinchat, seven Wheatear, 200+ Meadow Pipit (probably an underestimate) and small numbers of Linnet, Goldfinch and Skylark, with several small groups of Siskin passing over throughout the morning. Also here at least three Whimbrel and a marauding Merlin. On Flat Beach Level species included at least 76 Golden Plover, 26 Ringed Plover and two Knot, while 40+ Curlew and three Common Tern were present along the shore. In addition, a very young Common Seal was present at the river-mouth from mid-morning, giving excellent views.

Last week’s BBC Inside Out had an item about rising sea levels and highlighted sea defences at Rye and Jury’s Gap. If you missed it there is a chance to watch again by clicking here. Or see the web site here.

Thursday 18th:
Black-necked grebe, wigeon, garganey, pintail, hobby, common buzzard, golden plover, little stint, little ringed plover, ruff, greenshank, Mediterranean gull, little gull, common tern, kingfisher, swift, tree pipit, lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, blackcap, garden warbler, chiffchaff, siskin.
Friday 19th:
Hobby, ruff, little stint, little gull, black tern, wheatear, yelow wagtail, pied flycatcher.

Saturday 20th:
Hobby, common buzzard, snipe, black-tailed godwit, curlew, yellow wagtail, swallow, sand martin, redstart, chiffchaff.

Sunday 21st:
Our first bittern of the autumn was seen this morning on New Excavations. Also so far today: 70+ golden plover, ruff, yellow wagtail, wheatear.