Monday, 19 May 2025

This week's twitches -

Monday 19th May 2025

Rye Harbour NNR

I was so disappointed to miss the Little Terns at Minsmere yesterday that I visited Rye Harbour to see them.  

  • There were at least six of them associating with the Sandwich and Common Terns on the beach on the Camber side of the channel. 
  • Earlier, I had seen only one in the Flat Beach area where they usually congregate. 


Tuesday 13th May 2025

Weir Wood Reservoir

At lunchtime, messages came through about an Osprey and a Red-footed Falcon at the dam (east) end of Weir Wood Reservoir. Having just arrived home, I was gutted that I had missed out and could not return due to another commitment that afternoon. 

Martin called me in the evening to see if I was interested in a late visit. He had tried vainly to capture some of the action and wanted another chance.  Now free to go, it was a no-brainer for me.

  • From the Sailing Club's viewpoint, our first attempts were unsuccessful. There was no sign of either bird. 

 Clearly, the Osprey had gone, but acting on inside information from our friends, we decided to switch to the north side and look for the falcon from there.

  • Almost immediately, we saw a likely suspect for the Red-footed Falcon.  It was moving around the insect-rich meadow, enjoying a feast.  There were also Hobbies around but this bird was clearly much paler.  From Martin's photographic evidence, we were able to confirm the ID.


Red-footed Falcon
Courtesy of Martin Jeffree


Hobby
Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Thanks Martin!



Monday 12th May 2025

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

I made a late afternoon visit to see the Garganey that had been seen here on the reserve for the last few days.  

  • A pair was enjoying the evening sunshine on the grassy edges of the scrape at West Mead Hide.
  • From Whinpenny Hide, I saw a cracking drake swimming around in the water.




2025 species count = 173

New Species:
173  Little Tern
172  Red-footed Falcon
171  Garganey

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