10/12/2016 Rye Harbour NR with the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

Saturday 10 December 2016

Our annual visit to Rye Harbour NR turned out to be a success with over 50 species seen.  Thankfully the weather was mild and dry, if overcast, for the 11 members who made the trip.

There were several highlights:-

• 4 species of raptor were seen.  A stunning Merlin was perched on a post in the area to the left of the path leading to Denny Hide.  Also seen was a Peregrine which spooked the water birds and put them to flight.  A Sparrowhawk was seen early on and a Marsh Harrier showed up mid morning.
• A huge group of Golden Plover caused a lot of excitement, on the ground and in flight.
• Over 10 Pintail ducks, including several males, provided a regal touch to the water birds on show,
• We were unable to find any Scaup or the Black-necked Grebe but we did find a smashing Red-breasted Merganser.

After lunch 5 of us made the short trip to RSPB Dungeness where we saw the Ring-necked Duck but missed out on the Long-eared Owl and the Smew.  We only stayed for a short time.

A very pleasant trip which everyone seemed to enjoy.