Trip reports

Mini-bus trip to Rye Meads RSPB reserve Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd June

Tuesday, 5 June 2007

A bright warm day greeted group members for our walk around the Rye Meads reserve, along with the news that a pair of Kingfishers were busy excavating a nest hole in the artificial bank at the Kingfisher hide.
Chaffinch,Sedge warbler,Willow warbler, Chiffchaff and Reed warblers were all singing and many were seen carrying food to their nests.
On the tern rafts, fluffy brown Common Tern chicks begged for food and in the water around the rafts, Pochard, Mallard, Coots, Moorhen, Little Grebe were all busy feeding their young broods.
At the Kingfisher Hide, the male Kingfisher perched for about 20 minutes, occasionally turning his head so we can admire his plumage until the female emerged from the nesthole and both flew off, presumably to feed.
Only a few of the group saw the 4 hobbies hawking over the marsh and the single Turtle Dove.
An excellent day at a wonderful reserve.
On Sunday, the Kingfishers never appeared, even after a 2 hour watch, however the Hobbies gave a splendid display and the local Peregrine flew low over our heads chased by irate terns.