Summary of the year to date
The Observation pages contain a synopsis of the more interesting sightings of birds at Rye Meads over the past year, plus a summary of last year.
Observations in March and April
Star wildfowl of the period was a pair of Garganeys on site for one day in April, and star wader was a Black-tailed Godwit present for just one morning. There were 100 Golden Plovers in two flocks seen moving north, and one or two Oystercatchers on several dates. Returning Little Ringed Plovers peaked at three birds, and there were four further records of Little Egret.
There was also a star raptor, with a female Marsh Harrier in April. One or two Red Kites were recorded on five dates, and Buzzards peaked at an astonishing 16. Returning Hobbies included two flocks of 6, likely to be migrating through. With up to five Sparrowhawks, a couple of Kestrels, and the now regular Peregrine, it was a good month for birds of prey.
Four Sandwich Terns passed through on one day in April, and our growing Black-headed Gull flock was competing with the returning Common Terns for breeding space on the rafts.
The fine Spring weather contributed to an early Spring Migration and good numbers of migrants. We recorded our earliest ever dates for Sedge, Reed and Garden Warblers, and an equal earliest for Whitethroat. Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were only three days later than the earliest ever. Given our records date back 50 years, this is quite remarkable.
Meadow Pipit passage peaked at 30 birds, and four records of Yellow Wagtail was better than for several years. We recorded a female Redstart and a flock of 5 Waxwings. There was a noticeable movement of Siskins with up to 14, and regular records of Linnet and Lesser Redpoll were better than many recent years. Finally there was a single Brambling as the winter visitors left the country.