Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Sightings - February 2023

February has seen plenty of birdlife on the nature reserve. A small group of dark-bellied Brent Geese were regularly on the river and the saltmarsh near the Discovery Centre all month, with 28 being the largest total. These are a small goose, not much bigger than a Mallard. During March large flocks of Brent Geese will pass the reserve flying eastward close to the shore, on their way north to breed in northern Russia.

Also on the Saltmarsh was a regular flock of about 100 Curlew, with numbers increasing to about 300 whilst roosting at night. Other waders included 2 Little Stint on several dates through the month, mostly visible from the Gooder's Hide. At high tide there were large roosts of Oystercatchers, Duniln and Sanderlings - numbering as many as 78 on 19^th Feb. Two Avocet were seen on 4^th, increasing in number to 40 on the 24th. Lapwing and Golden Plover numbered in hundreds for most of the month while Ruff were also regular, with 18 being the most visible together on 6th, including a white headed one. Groups of 5+ Snipe have also been visible from the Gooder's Hide.

Ducks have been numerous, with Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Pintail commonly seen throughout the month. At the start of the month, there were large numbers of Common Scooters in Rye Bay, with 500 + reported on the 6th and there was a male Goosander seen on the river and on Flat Beach occasionally in the first two weeks.

In other areas of the reserve, Grey and Red-legged Partridge were seen regularly in the fields around Ternery Pool all month, and a Peregrine caught and killed a Grey Partridge there on the 10^th. Several Dartford Warbler have been seen through the month amongst Bramble scrub, as were several pairs of Stonechat. The regular adult Spoonbill was seen regularly until 14^th.

Other highlights included a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on 6^th and the sighting of a Grass Snake during a land management work party.

In pockets of the reserve, flowering plants can be seen with Common Whitlowgrass and Red Deadnettle in flower all month.