RXwildlife Sightings

One seen among the other waders on the flooded Flat Beach at Rye Harbour this afternoon.

During a visit yesterday the best we could muster was 3 different Bittern from the hide, 4 Marsh Harriers and a Merlin. The flooded fields delivered a host of common waders including 300 Dunlin, 21 Ruff and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. From the viewpoint at dusk we had 4 Marsh Harriers going to roost, a Barn Owl and a spanking male Hen Harrier that headed off towards Pett. At least 500 winter thrushes and 200 Stock Doves also at roost.

Now into their second month on site the female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup look set to spend the winter on north pit among the legions of diving duck, while the farmland between the pits and the airport is currently attracting several Marsh Harriers plus a ringtail Hen Harrier.

The Hoopoe is still present on the Desert west of Lydd-on-Sea gravel pit, although difficult due to being regularly flushed yesterday. Also, 30 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Whinchats, 20 Wheatears, 10 Mipits and 2 Hobbies.

Following heavy overnight rain a fall of warblers in Mockmill Sewer, Lade this morning included: c50 Willow Warblers, c50 Whitethroats, c20 Sedge Warblers and a scattering of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers. Other grounded migrants on the surrounding Desert included a single Whinchat, 10 Yellow Wagtails and 20 Meadow Pipits.

Wader highlights at high tide on the Midrips this afternoon included: 3 Little Stints, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 14 Avocets, 45 Golden Plovers and 115 Dunlins.

A high tide wader count this afternoon included: 29 Avocet, 215 Dunlin, 15 LRP, 1 Greenshank, 4 Golden Plover and a stunning Curlew Sandpiper. 

With the temporary cessation of Army gunnery this weekend on the Lydd ranges, access was permitted along the foreshore to the wader pools at the Midrips and Wicks. Highlights included a count of 29 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plovers and 4 Ruff, plus a sprinkling of Dunlins, and Common Sandpipers.