RXwildlife Sightings

Even more geese were present today, with 10 species reported including Bean Geese, Pinkfoots and a Black Brant - first for the area - which I unfortunately missed. Loads of ducks and waders on the wet marsh at high tide and divers flying about at sea.
See the SOS website for more details and also for interesting prequels to the flock of Bewick’s Swans, which seem not to have been Walland birds but were seen flying over W Sussex hours earlier. Apparently there were 2 Whooper Swans with them.

This morning Bob Greenhalf and I couldn’t resist the traditional Jan 1st tally-hunt. My 26th species was a Red Kite cruising slowly overhead at Houghton Green, finally passing Playden Church on its way south-west. In the past would I ever have imagined my first raptor of the year to be a Red Kite?  Seven species later we were enjoying superb views of a very close Peregrine perched in a tree on the SSSI, with Marsh Harrier in the background. The Castle Water hide provided all the usual wildfowl plus a fine view of a Bittern, then at home during lunch a Grey Wagtail briefly at our garden pond in Rye was completely unexpected. My day total of 60 was exactly the same as a year ago and, as then, many common species were missed. With Pett Level, Rye Harbour and Rye Hill included, 80-90 species should be possible locally on New Year, but it would be a lot to squeeze into the short daylight hours. Best wishes to all for 2011.