Recent Sightings
November 2007
Cold weather at this time of the year often brings in large numbers of waterfowl, and a freezing spell this month was no exception. A Wetland Bird Survey count on the 11th found 639 Wigeon, 210 Tufted Duck (below), 151 Teal, 79 Shoveler and 49 Gadwall. Other notable sightings included two Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and Red-crested Pochard on Long Pit late month, 24 White-Fronted Goose on the Bittern Excavations on the 24th, up to five Goldeneye and two Pintail. In addition, the Little Egret roost at Castle water peaked at 45 on the 24th.
Similarly many wader species showed a sharp increase towards the end of the month. On the 27th, a high tide wader roost on the shore contained 190 Sanderling, 300 Dunlin and 117 Grey Plover (a record count for the reserve), while a count of roosting Curlew on Harbour Farm on the 19th found 580 individuals, and up to 400 Golden Plover and 735 Lapwing were present on Flat Beach. Other interesting waders during the month included up to four Knot, a couple of Black-tailed Godwit and the occasional Little Stint and Green Sandpiper. Offshore sightings included up to 200 Common Scoter, and small numbers of Brent Goose, Gannet, Red-throated Diver and Scaup. The highlights, however, were a Pomarine Skua and three Little Auk on the 11th, three Velvet Scoter on the 26th and two Black-throated Diver on the 2nd. At Castle Water, there were occasional sightings of Barn Owl during the month, while both Long-eared Owl (below) and Short-eared Owl were present here on
the 9th. Raptors included Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin, and the highlight, a male Hen Harrier over Harbour Farm on the 27th. Among the passerines typically autumn/winter species provided most interest. This included small numbers of Bearded Tit, Fieldfare and Redwing, the occasional Lesser Redpoll, Brambling and Grey Wagtail, and Dartford Warbler on the 15th at Narrow Pits and 19th at West Beach, while 42 Corn Bunting were present on Harbour Farm on the 1st. More surprising however were a small number of Hirundines, including two House Martins over Rye Harbour Village on the 9th and a Swallow on the 24th over Long Pit, some of the latest dates ever recorded for these species in the area.
The weather was still relatively warm during the early part of November, and some insects were still active, despite the lateness of the year. Both Common Darter and Migrant Hawker were on the wing in the early part of month, while a Red Admiral was taking advantage of the winter sunshine on Harbour Farm on the 11th. However, a female Speckled Bush Cricket (below) at Lime Kiln Cottage on the 12th was still something of a surprise! Similarly, several flowers were still in bloom, including Yellow Horned Poppy, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian and Herb Robert.
