Recent Sightings
April 2008
Despite the often cold and damp weather, with the coming of April, the breeding season at Rye Harbour really gathered pace. This month saw almost the last of our breeding summer visitors arrive, with, the first Cuckoo on the 20th and the first Little Tern on the 9th, numbers of this species reaching 10 individuals by the end of the month. On the Beach Reserve, Wheatear, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher had all staked their claims to territories by the end of the month, while the same was true of Avocet and Little Ringed Plover on Harbour Farm. For some species, the breeding season was already well advanced – at least 55 pairs of Mediterranean Gull were on nests at Ternery Pool and both Lapwing (below) and Coot had produced their first chicks before April was out!
Wader highlight during April was a Stone Curlew, which was present on the Beach Reserve on the 19th, only the tenth record of this rare visitor in over 20 years! Numbers in the traditional Whimbrel roost on the Quarry climbed steadily late-month, and had reached a maximum of 269 by the 29th, while other notable passage waders included up to 45 Knot, small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruff and the occasional Greenshank and Common and Green Sandpiper. Notable passage passerines included the first Swift of the year on the 19th (with over 100 at Castle Water on the 28th), Black Redstart and Redstart, while a good range of warblers included Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. At Castle Water, there were several sightings of Bearded Tit and a Raven was seen here on the 3rd, while the first singing Corn Bunting of the year was heard on the 19th, and there were regular sightings of Yellow Wagtail and Grey Partridge on Harbour Farm and the Beach Reserve throughout the month. In addition, the long-staying
Long-tailed Duck was present on Long pit to the end of the month and there were several sightings of Garganey (above), including five at Castle Water on the 27th! Offshore, birds included over 300 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit and two Fulmar, while there were several sightings of Arctic Skua (with four on the 20th). The highlight however was a Great Skua on the 26th. In addition, 24 Little Gull came in to roost at Ternery Pool 9th, while five Arctic Tern were present on the shore on the 26th and a Black Tern was at Castle Water on the 21st and 22nd. Raptor highlight during April was a Hen Harrier at Castle Water on the 21st, while regular sightings of Marsh Harrier included four roosting here on the 8th. A Buzzard was at Castle Water on the 3rd, and there were occasional sightings of both Peregrine and Hobby. Barn Owl was regular throughout the month, while Short-eared Owl was seen on two dates.
Butterflies active during April included Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Comma (above), while a small range of species in the Lime Kiln Cottage moth trap included Muslin Moth, Early Grey, Common Quaker and Hebrew Character. While there were no adult dragonflies or damselflies during April, a brief survey of some of the ditches at Castle Water and Harbour Farm found a good range of larvae, including Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselfly, and Emperor and Hairy Dragonfly, this latter something of a rarity! In addition, a re-appraisal of cast skins collected on Harbour Farm during 2007 found seven belonging to Red-veined Darter (below), the first confirmed breeding record of this species at Rye Harbour! Plants in flower this month included Early Forget-me-not, Wall Speedwell, White-Dead-nettle and Shining Cranesbill.
