Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Wildlife sightings - June 2024

By David Bentley

Volunteer & Member of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

June started out rather cool but there was some very warm summer weather towards the end of the month. It was a dry month, with about 20% of the usual rainfall and around average sunshine hours.

Little Tern (11 pairs) settled on Flat Beach and seemed to be feeding well throughout the month, with chicks present from at least the 9^th. Sandwich Tern (c.100 pairs) also appeared well-settled on their new nesting site, on islands at Flat Beach. A Little Gull was at Castle Water on the 9^th. There were regular sightings of three species of Egret through the month, including Great White (4) on the 26^th at Castle Water. At least one Spoonbill made occasional appearances. Castle Water witnessed fly-by Bittern and continued 'booming'.

Breeding Marsh Harriers have two fledgling birds at Castle Water, where Hobby (up to 3) were counted. A Barn Owl early in the month and two family groups of Bearded Tits late in the month were also seen in the same area. There was some movement of wading birds, with a Curlew Sandpiper and a few Dunlin on 1^st and 2^nd on Flat Beach. Bar-tailed godwit (4) from the Discovery Centre on the 28^th and Common Sandpiper (1) and Black-tailed Godwit (2) on the 29^th suggested the start of 'autumn' passage. In a similar vein, there was a pair of 'eclipse' Garganey at Castle Water on the 27^th. The first returning Whimbrel were seen on the Saltmarsh towards the end of the month. There were all-too-brief sightings of two rare birds in June, both in flight, both heading east. An exotic looking European Bee-eater was over the carpark on the evening of the 7^th, while a Black Stork was spotted north of the Discovery Centre on the 23^rd. 

In general, June was a quiet month for butterflies, but the first Marbled White of the year were recorded on the 20^th , around a week later than in recent years. Large and Small Skippers were out on the same day. Larger numbers of Marbled Whites were on the wing by the 29^th.

There were several sightings of Norfolk Hawker throughout the month at Castle Water. This species has been spreading out from its East Anglian heartland in recent years.

The first Grass Vetchling flowers appeared at the start of the month in what has turned out to be an exceptional year for the species. The glowing cerise blooms seemingly appear out of nowhere, revealing the grass-like leaves that had been hidden in the award. There was an excellent show of Pyramidal Orchid and Viper's-bugloss at the north end of Castle Water. Pyramidal, Bee and Common Spotted Orchids flourished on the flood defence bund by the caravan park and several Bee Orchids were also seen near the Mary Stanford lifeboat house. Good numbers of Lesser Water Plantain were in flower in the reedbeds at Castle Water. Other plants in flower included Sea Pea, Biting Stonecrop, Yellow Horned-poppy and Bird's-foot Trefoil.

Thanks go to everyone whose observations contribute to the monthly sighting reports. If you have spotted something interesting on the reserve, please do make a record via https://irecord.org.uk/, and if you think it is particularly significant, please let us know at [email protected].