Observations

Jan – Feb 2015

Best of the bunch, and a new species for Rye Meads, was a Caspian Gull which stayed on No 1 Lagoon for a day.

A male Mandarin Duck was our first record since 2000, and the male Pintail present last year showed for several dates, joined by a second bird for two of them.

The usual waders were joined for a day each by an Oystercatcher and a Dunlin, and a flock of 150 Golden Plovers flew over the site.

Very welcome also was a visit from two Ravens, our third record. Other passerines included an early Black Redstart caught and ringed, and a Stonechat in the meadows. Two Redpolls and 7 Yellowhammers are regrettably noteworthy counts these days.