21/03/2015 Rye Harbour with the East Grinstead RSPB Group Sandwich Terns and Common Sandpipers

Saturday 21st March 2015
Rye Harbour and Pett Level
East Grinstead RSPB Local Group


17 of us made the trip down to the south coast for a day's birding at Rye Harbour and Pett Level.  The biting northerly winds meant that the temperature felt much colder than the 8C showing on the thermometer.  Nevertheless the sun was shining and the light was good.

Rye Harbour

At Rye Harbour we managed a creditable species count of 58.  Some of the highlights included:

• 3 Sandwich Terns, recently returned from Africa, showed well on one of the islands and we were able to view them from 2 of the hides.  There were several Mediterranean Gulls including 3 or 4 very close views of them resting on one of the islands.

• The most abundant of the waders were the Black-tailed Godwits.  We also saw a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits but with their beaks tucked in and their legs not showing it was a while before we could confirm the ID.  Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Turnstones, Sanderlings and a couple of Common Sandpipers added to the excitement.

• The star attraction for most of us however was the Avocets and they were there in good numbers and showing really well. 

• High tide was about 11.00 and today's was particularly high, with perhaps the highest water levels most of us had seen here.  A brief look out to sea found several Great-crested Grebes before we were called back some 100 metres when Matt found a Black Redstart in the foliage where the coastal path meets the canal path.  While we were enjoying excellent views of this bird Matt managed to see a flock of 20+ Common Scoters out to sea.

Pett Level

 

For the late afternoon session a small group relocated to Pett Level where a further 7 species were found.  In a short visit the headlines were made by the following birds:

• A couple of Marsh Harriers were showing really well from the raised banks as they hunted over the marshes.

• Lots of Snipe were flushed from the reed beds to give us excellent views.

• When we moved base west towards the cliffs, as well as the Fulmars nesting on the ledges, we were lucky to get superb views of 2 Peregrines.

A lovely day out with several new faces and a couple of returnees, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.





Today's species list:
Avocet
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black Redstart
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blackbird
Blue Tit
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Common Sandpiper
Common Scoter
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunlin
Dunnock
Fulmar
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Meadow Pipit
Mediterranean Gull
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Peregrine
Pied Wagtail
Pochard
Redshank
Reed Bunting
Ringed Plover
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Rock Pipit
Rook
Ruff
Sanderling
Sandwich Tern
Shelduck
Shoveler
Skylark
Snipe
Stock Dove
Teal
Tufted Duck
Turnstone
Wheatear
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren

(65)


Additions to BUBO UK 2015 Bird List:
Sandwich Tern  (183)
Common Sandpiper   (184)