Highlights of 2010
This is a summary of the most interesting observations of last year.
- A Black-necked Grebe stayed with us for four days in June-July, the ninth Rye Meads record.
- A good year for Garganey - Spring birds in April and the late date of the beginning of June was followed by 1-3 birds present for much of July and August.
- Bitterns are these days rarer than Little Egrets, despite one or two birds on six dates in January and March.
- A Marsh Harrier and an Osprey in April, with a second Osprey in September.
- A Grey Plover in early May was only our eighth record - we may be a wetland site, but when you are so far inland...
- A Wood Sandpiper stayed for four days in July.
- A Long-eared Owl late in the year was our first for a while.
- Our third Wood Warbler, the first since 1984, was trapped and ringed.
- We also ringed our third, fourth and fifth Marsh Tits, and these represent the first year with three records since 1961.
- Two Redstarts and a
- A long-staying Willow Warbler was last trapped on 28 November.