February 2020 - Rye Harbour wildlife

The endless stormy weather of February with frequent overtopping of the sea defences and heavy rainfall resulted in very high water levels throughout the reserve. Despite this there were signs of an early spring on the reserve. From early in the month there were several sightings of Mediterranean Gull, while the first Sandwich Tern of the year was seen on Ternery Pool on the 22^nd and a flock of 22 Avocet was on Flat Beach on the 24^th. This month also saw the first ‘spring’ invertebrate record, with the saline pool hoverfly Eristalinus aeneus recorded on the Beach Reserve on the 23^rd.  Plants in flower included Common Whitlowgrass, Danish Scurveygrass, Hairy Bittercress and Cherry Plum.

 

While there were still good numbers of waders around during the month, species such as Golden Plover (250 early in the month) and Lapwing (around 600 on the 10^th), did show a decrease compared to last month, perhaps another indication of the advancing year. A Wetland Bird Survey count on Flat Beach on the 10^th found at least 500 Dunlin, 250 Knot, 29 Sanderling and around 20 Grey Plover on Flat Beach Level and at least 50 Redshank on the new saltmarsh. Probably the highlight during February was the long-staying Spotted Redshank which was seen on Flat Beach on the 5^th, while at least eight Ruff were present on Harbour Farm on the same date and a Bar-tailed Godwit was on Flat Beach on the 24^th. In addition, a flock of at least 50 Ringed Plover were seen at the River Mouth on the 24th and 17 Snipe were present on the Beach Reserve on the 16^th.

 

Image: James Tomlinson

Similarly, waterfowl number were down somewhat compared to last month, with peak counts including 399 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 72 Shoveler, 52 Gadwall and 51 Pochard. Highlight was a Long-tailed Duck which was present on the Quarry briefly on the 3rd, while at least eight Goldeneye were on Harbour Farm on the 10th,  two Great White Egret at Castle Water on the same date and a flock of up to 59 Brent Goose on the new saltmarsh on the 4th.

 

Raptors included regular Marsh Harrier (with three on the 10^th at Castle Water), Merlin over the Beach Reserve on the 1^st and 5^th, and a pair of Peregrine over Flat Beach on the 5^th and at Castle Farm on the 6^th. Passerine highlight during February was a Siberian Chiffchaff found by local birder James Tomlinson on Harbour Farm on the 4^th, a first for the reserve, while our good run of Firecrest continued with birds at Narrow Pit on the 5^th and 6^th. In addition, Raven were present over Castle Farm on the 6^th (two) and Harbour Farm on the 10th and a flock of six Greenfinch were at Ternery Pool on the 6^th.

Image: James Tomlinson