January 2016: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Sightings

Highlight during January was a Lapland bunting which was present on Harbour Farm on the 28^th. This species is less than annual at Rye Harbour and usually occurs singly (though six were seen in January 1984 and four in November 1996). Worldwide, Lapland bunting is a very abundant bird, with a population estimated at 150 million, most of these breeding within the Arctic Circle. In Europe, most breeding occurs in Scandinavia, either at high altitude or on tundra at lower levels and while most commonly seen in the UK as a winter visitor, it has very occasionally bred in Scotland (the last in the early 80s). In North America this species is known as Lapland longspur due to its long hind claws.

Still good numbers of waders on the reserve, with numbers bolstered by a cold spell later in the month. On the 26^th this included up to 3000 golden plover on Flat Beach Level, 1470 lapwing on Flat Beach Level and Ternery Pool and 130 sanderling on the shore, while 532 dunlin were recorded on Flat Beach Level on the 16th, 415 curlew on Harbour Farm on the 5th and 150 knot on Flat Beach Level on the 11^th. Notable sightings included small numbers of avocet, with three on Harbour Farm on the 8^th and Flat Beach Level on the 11th, up to 10 ruff on Harbour Farm, 133 snipe (below) on the Beach Reserve on the 15^th, three black-tailed godwit on Ternery Pool on the 11^th and bar-tailed godwit here on the 26^th. The highlight however was 11 jack snipe on the Beach Reserve on the 15^th.

As with waders, waterfowl numbers were still high during January. A WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count on the 17^th for instance recorded 570 teal, 345 gadwall, 307 shoveler, 296 mallard, 154 tufted duck, 24 pintail and six goldeneye, while on Flat Beach Level at least 800 wigeon were present on 23^rd. In addition, 32 white-fronted goose flew over Harbour Farm on the 9^th, great white egret were recorded at Castle Water on the 17^th and 29^th (two) and on Harbour Farm on the 8^th, and there were several sightings of bittern at Castle Water, while at least two black-necked grebe were present on Long Pit mid-month..

Apart from the Lapland bunting on Harbour Farm on the 28^th, there were relatively few notable passerine sightings this month, though two corn bunting on Harbour Farm on the 5th were good to see and a flock of 14 fieldfare at Castle Water on the 19^th was only the third reserve record during the winter. At Castle Water up to eight bearded tit (below) were present during the month, while up to two rock pipit were recorded on the saltmarsh near Lime Kiln Cottage.

Image: Vogelartinfo