Rye Meads Ringing Group

The Observation pages contain a synopsis of the more interesting sightings of birds at Rye Meads this year, plus a summary of last year.

A pair of Garganeys spent a day on site in April, with another present for three days in August, and then through September into early October.
At least three Bitterns used the site during January and February, another species now being recorded more often thanks to the increases in reedbed extent on site.
A pair of Black-necked Grebes was present for three days in June, then returned in July for a sadly unfulfilled breeding attempt in July and August.
A Red Kite in January was followed by one or two on a further eight dates up to September, continuing the increasing regularity of this fast-expanding species
A female Marsh Harrier passed through in April, followed by a second in May.
Our first breeding pair of Buzzards raised a single chick.
This year's quota of Osprey was represented by two birds in October.
A Black-tailed Godwit was on the Scrape for a morning in April, with another in June and a third in July.
Other unusual waders for Rye Meads during early Autumn included Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, and Whimbrel.
Single Bearded Tits in January and February included a control bird.
A new site record for Jackdaw was 890 birds on a roost flight line.
Just one of the influx of Waxwings made it to Rye Meads in January, with another flock of 8 in March.
Another new site record was for a flock of 100 Siskins in January.
Finally, flocks of 12 and 5 Crossbills in July were real rarities for Rye Meads.

Observations