Rye Harbour NR - cool, sunny, NW 3 - The northerly airflow from the Arctic region continues to flood cool air across the country, which is fine by me as I`m not a lover of the hot stuff; making a heady 14 Centigrade perfect for a circuit of the Beach Reserve. We started at the Nook Road end where it was good to see a few House Martins nesting in the housing estate at Oyster Creek. Further along the track a Cuckoo was in good voice, along with Common and Lesser Whitethroats, a Blackcap, a Cetti`s Warbler, several Linnets and a Greenfinch. From the back-to-back hides there was much to see and plenty of seabird activity, mainly from the breeding Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns feeding their young and squabbling amongst one another. Further out on Flat Beach several Little Terns were coming and going, while a mixed flock of 15 Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls were the only ones we saw all morning. Avocets and Oystercatchers were seen with young, plus Redshank and Ringed Plover also suggesting they had chicks nearby. Also noted across the Beach Reserve: two little Egrets, two Kestrels, four Shelducks, 10 Tufted Ducks, 30 Cormorants, 10 Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit, but no sign of any Wheatears. Fair play to the staff here as all four hides remain intact with superb, up-to-date display boards within; it was also a pleasure to sit down in comfort and enjoy the action, and they`re dog-friendly. So, a cracking morning`s birding rounded off by a brew from the cafe and a sausage roll for Ted, which he wolfed down in one!
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