Recent Sightings
June 2010
One of the best pieces of news this June has been the return of Little Tern as a breeding species to Rye Harbour after an absence of two years. After deploying decoys and sound recordings to attract the birds back, at least three pairs nested, with the first chicks hatching by the end of the month.
Our other breeding seabirds seem to be coming along nicely too, with masses of fledged Black-headed Gull and a good few fledged Mediterranean Gull at Ternery Pool as well as well grown Sandwich Tern (below) and Common Tern chicks here also. Of our breeding waders, the first Avocet and Redshank fledged early in the month, with the oldest Oystercatcher chicks almost at this stage by month’s end, while at least two broods of Little Ringed Plover hatched on Harbour Farm. While the odd Lapwing chick was still present during June, this species was already beginning to form larger flocks, with up to 100 recorded together at Castle Water.
June saw some evidence of the first return passage this year, with small numbers of migrant waders moving through during the month. This included the odd Knot, Greenshank and Whimbrel, up to 15 Curlew, and occasional Green Sandpiper, with at least 12 at Castle Water on the 25th. Waterfowl during June at Castle Water included regular Bittern early up to mid-month, a maximum of two Garganey and yet again a Spoonbill on the 25th. Raptors included up to three Marsh Harrier, a Hobby at Castle Water on the 9th, and best of all Red Kite here on the 12th and 25th. In addition a Barn Owl was present at Castle Water on the 13th. Mid month saw quite a bit of hirundine activity, with 500 Swift over Harbour Farm on the 11th of particular note, and also 50 Sand Martin at Long Pit on the 20th and 30 House Martin over the Bittern Excavation on the 15th. In addition, the Grasshopper Warbler could still be heard singing on Harbour Farm during June, while Turtle Dove were recorded in the Wood and at Castle Water.
Increasingly warm weather during June saw invertebrate sightings pick up considerably. Highlights in the Lime Kiln moth trap included Bordered Ermel and Obscure Wainscot, while new species for the year included Long-legged Tabby, Thistle Ermine and Treble Lines. However, the best moth during May was a Six-belted Clearwing (above) found wandering across the path near the Red-roofed Hut on the 19th, only the second reserve record. Butterflies this month included a Brimstone at Castle Water on the 5th, a relatively rare visitor to the reserve, and the first Painted Lady and Large Skipper of the year, while emergent dragonflies included Black-tailed Skimmer and Emperor. Two notable true flies recorded during June were the first reserve record of the red data book hoverfly Lejops vittatus (below) , on Harbour Farm on the 29th and the impressive Levels Yellow-horned Horsefly (Hybomitra ciureai) a very rare species associated with coastal levels which was found in the Wood on the 16th. Plants in flower this month included Stinking Hawksbeard, Yellow Horned Poppy, Viper’s Bugloss and Yellow Rattle.
