Rye Harbour Nature Reserve wildlife sightings January 2026
By David Bentley
The month started in the middle of a notable spell of cold and frosty weather, but a week into the New Year this grip slackened and there was a return to more changeable weather. The rest of January proved to be mild and mixed, with plenty of rain but also sunshine and showers.
Several long-stay 'favourite' birds remained throughout the month. So, there were regular sightings of one or two Spoonbill, one or two Goosander, Spotted Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Pintail are always immensely popular birds; there were five at Castle Water on 19th, but numbers had peaked a few days earlier on 14th with over 200 birds on Flat Beach.
After the December influx there were still good numbers of White-fronted Geese in the 'RX' area. A flock of 64 flew over Flat Beach on 14th, heading east and a further 40 were spotted over Castle Water on 18th, likely heading towards Pett Level. The 'Bird Guides' sightings service reported 95 White-fronted Geese somewhere on the reserve, also on the 18th, but we currently have no further details.
A red-head Red-breasted Merganser seen from Denny Hide on 17th had the decency to hang around until the end of the month.
Seasons in nature change quickly, almost tumbling into one another, and before the end of the month Cormorants were already back at their nests at Castle Water.
Large numbers of Red-throated Diver were on or over the sea on the last day of the month. Look out for their distinctive flight silhouette, with stretched-out neck and head lowered below their bodies.
Numbers of over-wintering waders often peak in late Winter. Over 160 Redshank were roosting on Flat Beach on 23rd, when there were also 50+ Sanderling and 60+ Ringed Plover. 200+ Dunlin were counted on the beach on 28th and Flat Beach held over 2,000 Golden Plover on several dates in the month. The presence of three Avocet on Flat Beach was a little nod towards Spring - numbers of this elegant wader will increase throughout February, as prospective breeders start to assemble.
Six Great White Egret at The Ocean on 4th was interesting and around eight Cattle Egret were present for most of the month near Castle Farm. A Bittern landed right in front of the Castle Water Reed Bed Viewpoint at dusk on 7th.
Winter thrush numbers have been low this winter, but they pepped up towards the end of the month. There were 200 Fieldfare around The Wood on 19th and small numbers of Redwing could be seen anywhere on the reserve with trees and shrubs.
Grey Partridge are elusive at the best of times; three were seen at Denny Hide on 10th.
Sometimes the sheer number of birds on the reserve is breathtaking. A count of over 10,000 gulls coming in to roost at the Flat Beach on 12th was notable in that regard.
Gorse was in flower in January - isn't it always? - and the first tiny white flowers of Common Whitlowgrass were just coming out at Camber Castle.