Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Wildlife Sightings: April 2024

By Paul Tinsley-Marshall

Site Manager, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

April continued the theme of the previous few months, being unsettled, wet and dull. April showers featured from the beginning of the month, with frontal systems bringing persistent rain across the UK. The eleventh named storm of the season, Kathleen, arrived on the 5th/6th, bringing heavy rain to Scotland, Wales, parts of Northern Ireland, and the west coast of England. Kathleen also brought strong winds across the UK, with gales along coasts, particularly in the north and west of the UK. However, the southerly source of the wind led to mild temperatures, particularly along the south-east coast of England. After a warm start to the month, temperatures dropped, with the last two weeks of April cooler than average. A high-pressure system moved over the UK on the 20th, bringing some drier weather but cool temperatures to much of the UK. By the 25th, low pressure was back, and the showers increased.

Notable ducks included Garganey (3) on the 20th at Barn Pool East, and a female Mallard with brood of 10 were seen on the 7th. A Bittern was heard booming at Castle Water throughout the month, Cattle Egret (11) at Castle Water were showing breeding plumage, Great White Egret (4) were around, and a White Stork was overhead on the 26th. An Osprey was seen on the 5th over Salt Pool, a Red Kite was overhead on the 20th, and Hobby (2) were at Castle Water on the 29th. Counts of passage waders included Whimbrel (3/30th, 35/29th), Knot (50) on Flat Beach, Greenshank (2) on Salt Pool, Grey Plover (110/3rd), Black-tailed Godwit (present), Bar-tailed Godwit (3/18th) (37+) and (75+/27th) on Salt Pool and Flat Beach. A Common Sandpiper was noted on the 14th, also Little Ringed Plover (2) at Barn Pool East on the 14th, and the Spotted Redshank in breeding plumage was still present on Salt Pool on the 28th along with good numbers of Avocet (60) that chose to nest here. Common Tern and Little Tern arrived to join the Sandwich Terns and other breeding seabirds on the reserve. 

A Cuckoo was first reported on the 20th and could be heard throughout the month and a Short-eared Owl was on the Beach Reserve on the 29th. A Swift was noted at Castle Water on the 21st, with more (12) over Watch Cottage on the 28th, and Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin made an appearance at Castle Water on the 15th. A Yellow Wagtail was seen at the Discovery Centre on the 30th. Wheatears were recorded on the 18th (1), 20th (4), 27th (2) and 30th (1), typically near the River Mouth, a Stonechat on the 13th, and a male Whinchat also at the River Mouth on the 27th. The first Sedge Warblers were reported on the 1st, both along Nook Drain and Castle Water, a Garden Warbler on the 5th at Castle Water, Reed Warbler on the 6th, Lesser Whitethroats on the 13th, the first Whitethroat along Dead End Path on the 16th, and a Willow Warbler on the 27th at Watch Cottage. Ravens were observed regularly, reflecting large numbers in the local area, a Bullfinch was seen on the 14th, and passage of Linnet noted on 15th.

Butterflies newly on the wing this month included Small White and Small Copper, and a stunning V-Pug moth was found on Watch Cottage.

Plants in flower this month included Dove’s Foot Cranesbill, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Groundsel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Ground Ivy, and of course, Common Gorse.

Thanks go to all the observers whose observations contribute to the monthly sighting reports. If you have spotted something interesting on the reserve, please do make a record via https://irecord.org.uk/, and if you think it is particularly significant, please let us know at [email protected].