Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Wildlife Sightings: July 2025

David Bentley

Volunteer & Trustee of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

July was yet another month with above average temperatures, but there was some rainfall, arriving largely in the way of heavy showers.

Just as in June, a Roseate Tern was seen on several occasions at Flat Beach. Nearby, at Salt Pool a second calendar-year Arctic Tern was present up until at least the 18^th.

Early review of breeding bird survey data suggests it may have been a reasonable year for Sandwich and Common Terns, but seemingly a poor year for Little Tern.

This is the month when return migration of waders starts in earnest. Curlew numbers were increasing, with over 50 on the New Salt Marsh on the 11^th, rising to over 100 by 23^rd.

Up to three Curlew Sandpiper were regularly seen on Flat Beach and sometimes Ternery Pool from 12^th until the end of the month and there was a single Little Stint on 27^th. Meanwhile, at Castle Water one or two Green Sandpiper and a few Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover were typical throughout the month, with the odd Black-tailed Godwit also seen. The post-breeding Lapwing flock was increasing, with 300 birds on 13^th.

The Greenshank is a beautifully elegant wader that is regular in small numbers at Rye Harbour during autumn passage. Five were present feeding in the channel beside the New Saltmarsh, easily visible to those eating cake in the Discovery Centre on 22^nd.

One or two Black-necked Grebe are often found on the reserve outside the breeding season. One lovely bird in breeding plumage was present, but sometimes elusive, on Ternery Pool from 22^th until the end of the month.

A Barn Owl was seen hunting over Nook Meadows on the first day of the month.

Migrating Sand Martin were seen in pulses from 11^th and returning Wheatear started appearing from 29^th.

12 Bearded Tit, including some fledged juveniles were seen at Castle Water viewpoint on 4^th.

Odonata seen in July included Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Southern Migrant Hawker and Norfolk Hawker.

Last year one Broad-leaved Helleborine was recorded on the nature reserve for the first time. This year there were at least eight 'spikes' at the same location near Castle Water. Let's hope that this will become an established species at Rye Harbour.

Other plants in flower in July included Marsh Mallow, Wild Carrot, Red Hemp-nettle, Sea Campion and the rare Least Lettuce, which you will only see open in the mornings.

Moth numbers in the trap increased steadily, with over 180 found on the 5^th. Species have included Black Arches, Oak Eggar, Pebble Prominent, Canary-shouldered Thorn and an influx of over 50 Yellow Underwing on the 18^th.

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