RXwildlife Sightings

Bewick’s Swans

Pat Bonham — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:40:28 +0000

A flock of 52 including 5 immatures at Midley this afternoon.

Postponed

Lucy Balmforth — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:07 +0000

Due to the forecast snow, the Pett Level beach survey on Sunday 5th February has been moved to Sunday 19th February at 10am.

The survey at Rye Harbour tomorrow (Saturday) will still take place.

RSPB Dungeness sightings

Christine Hawkins — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:06:13 +0000

The cold snap has certainly got things on the move. Smew numbers rose from the five we have had for most of the winter to 17 yesterday, including two drakes. Four female and one male goosander are on Burrowes pit today along with about a dozen pintails and increased numbers of gadwall and shoveler. Finch numbers have also increased with small flocks of chaffinches and greenfinches (quite an unusual sight in recent times) coming to the car park feeders.

At the ARC site two bitterns were showing off in front of the hide this morning having ventured from the icy reedbeds. A possible green-winged teal was reported about an hour ago but it seems it might be a hybrid - watch this space.

Castle Water

Sam Smith — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:01:55 +0000

A few highlights from Castle Water since Monday, 3 Firecrest, 3 Bittern, 18 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier and at least 6 Water Rail.
TODAY highlights were 13 Goldeneye and a Black-necked Grebe on Long Pit, and two redhead Smew on Narrow Pit.

Rye Harbour Avocets

Barry Yates — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:08:33 +0000

4 avocets frantically feeding today in the pools of the new saltmarsh near Lime Kiln Cottage.

RSPB Dungeness recent sightings

Christine Hawkins — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:41:56 +0000

The dotterel was seen again yesterday, near Boulderwall Farm, a male smew was on Burrowes pit and a female common scoter was on Denge Marsh. On Sunday a drake goosander was seen from the Visitor Centre and a firecrest was in Christmas Dell.

Beachcombing and Beach Surveys

Andy Dinsdale — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:31:53 +0000

The beachcombing has been pretty cold so far this month but some interesting finds….

Mermaid purses - the usual thornback (ravioli), lesser spotted catfish (dogfish), lots of undulate (larger than the others) and blonde (larger ravioli!),
Green Sea Urchins from Pett Level to Rye Harbour - from the December storms,
Common Otter shells (large like freshwater mussels),
Many cockle shells of a particular size - again washed up from December storms,
Many balloons and ribbons - from Norman’s Bay to Camber,
Plastic nurdles from Camber Sands, - click here and here.
Rubber cheerios!
Lots of footwear too!

If anyone wants to keep up to date with the beachcombing finds I am still tweeting (!) (Andy Dinsdale @Strandliner)
The next beach surveys are next weekend. Rye Harbour Saturday 4th February and Pett Level Sunday 5th February. Pass on to others who may be interested. Lucy will be at Rye Harbour and I will be at Pett Level. For more info click here. to We will aim to have refreshments too! Wrap up warm and bring gloves.

Contact me at strandliner@btinternet.com

Brede High Woods Adder

Dave Monk — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:13:36 +0000

Today a small group of Woodland Trust volunteers headed to Brede High Wood’s Holman Meadow. The task was to clear out the invading birch scrub. It was hard work but we all felt very rewarded when we took time to stand back and admire our efforts.
As we were heading back for some warm drinks, (provided by Mike) I spotted an adder on the side of the path. Yes that’s right an adder. Yes in January. I know. Amazing. I don’t believe we had disturbed it. It was away from where we had been working and it had already been around long enough to have fed. A bump can clearly be seen in the snake, perhaps the size on a small rodent.
If you look closely at the picture you may be able to see the snakes tongue tasting the air.
It is also in a position that it takes before it strikes. A good time to use the zoom on the camera I thought. I wonder if this may be the first record for an adder in the UK this year.
If you would like to get involved please contact Mike Jackson at swbjackson@talktalk.net (more…)

RSPB Dungeness sightings

Christine Hawkins — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:46:08 +0000

All the usual suspects are still present - long-tailed duck, smew, bittern and great white egret were all seen at the ARC site where 50+ Bewick’s swans flew in at 3.30pm. A firecrest in Christmas Dell was also of note.

Highlight of the week so far, however, was a dotterel, found among the golden plover flock on Wednesday afternoon. Although it has not been seen on the reserve since it was seen in a field alongside the Dengemarsh road yesterday, again with golden plovers. Let’s hope it puts in another appearance over the weekend which is forecast to be fine but chilly.

Great White Egret

Chris Bentley — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:16:29 +0000

A Great White Egret flew over the Beach Reserve at about 15:45 this afternoon. It was observed heading west for a while before dropping down in the region of Narrow Pit.