Rye Harbour - Wednesday Outing

An early start saw Martin, Richard and I arrive very shortly after 06:30 at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to have a wander and check out the Sandwich Tern colony. Despite the early start it already felt warm as we wandered the track that led around the reserve perimeter. Across Flat Beach and New Saltmarsh, there were good numbers of black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls with juveniles of both species present  along with Oystercatchers and juveniles, displaying Ringed Plovers, Avocets and three Greenshanks. Plenty of tern activity with birds leaving and returning with food including several Little Terns of which we could see what appeared to be three well grown chicks.

From Parkes Hide there were great views and lovely sounds of the seemingly chaotic Sandwich Tern colony which every now and then took a precautionary flight as a predator in the form of a gull or bird of prey loomed overhead.

A great few early morning hours on the reserve.

I just love the grumpy expression on the chick

There were a few waders visible from Parkes Hide, including this close juvenile Redshank.

Adult Common Sandpiper

It's always great to watch the comedy duo that is an adult Oystercatcher with its chick in very close attendance. Watching every move of its parent in anticipation of a food morsel, the disappointment shows when it misses the opportunity and the adult eats what it has caught.