Birding to the East

 During the middle part of September we went over to the eastern end of Sussex to do a little birding. On the way to Rye Harbour we picked up David too. As Lisa has been living in Worthing for many years she has rarely visited this part of Sussex before. Walking around the reserve on such a brilliant day was difficult for birding, as there were so many people walking around the reserve that day. and for some time it was looking as though we would not be taking many photos. However, a stop off in one of the hides did produce close up views of a Little Grebe. Hardly a sought after bird, but still nice to see.

Little Grebe.

Walking further we had a lovely encounter with an egg laying Clouded Yellow, which Lisa and David spent some time photographing. However, at this point I had seen a couple of Wheatear on posts in the distance that appeared to be quite approachable. Through the binoculars I had seen dog walkers walking past the birds quite close without the birds flying away, so I left the other 2 and headed to where the Wheatears were settling. Lisa and David soon followed and we all had some lovely encounters with the birds. There were actually 5 or 6 Wheatear there, although only a couple were very approachable.

A sinister look from the Wheatear!

Wheatear.

David had just mentioned that it was strange that Rye Harbour never seemed to have Whinchats moving through, when I spotted one in with the Wheatears. This too was a little less wary than this species normally is, although it only settled on an unsightly fence. Still lovely seeing it reasonably close though.

Whinchat.

One week later Lisa and I had booked tickets to see the film 'Ocean' by David Attenborough at Rye Harbour. We decided that as we had visited Rye the week before, that we would try Dungeness during the day. This was to be Lisa's first visit to Dungeness. Having checked to see what birds were around online it wasn't looking as though we would see an awful lot, but it's always good going somewhere different, and there was a good chance of some Glossy Ibis as well as the usual Dungeness species.

As it was, we did get lucky at one of the hides, as just after we arrived a Glossy Ibis flew in. There was only one other person in the hide and he said he had been there for some time hoping for a Glossy Ibis so our timing was perfect. We watched it as it walked around the pool in front of us as it gradually got closer. Eventually it was as close as it was going to get, and as it took flight I got a couple of shots as it flew.

Glossy Ibis.

Walking further around the reserve we spotted some of the regular birds such as Marsh Harrier and Great White Egrets. The Bearded Tits though were not seen, although I did see a distant Stoat run across the track.

Eventually we made it around to the ARC pit, where we found the hide was closed for essential maintenance. However, we still lucked out when a Bittern flew in and landed in the reedbed, landing it seems on a post in the reedbed, as it remained in view above the reeds for several minutes.

Bittern in the Reedbed.

We kept focus on the bird all the time it was there, hoping it would fly along in front of us. However, when it did eventually fly, it flew slightly away from us so we didn't get the shot we were really hoping for. However, it was a very lucky break getting views rarely seen of this very elusive bird.

Bittern flying in the wrong direction.

Following this we departed and headed to Rye Harbour for the viewing of 'Ocean'. For anyone that hasn't seen this fabulous, hard hitting film, it really is worth seeing. It certainly makes one realise how badly humans treat the oceans around the World. If only the so called leaders would watch programs like this the planet would probably be in a much better place. However, with many of David Attenborough's excellent films there is optimism for the future, if only we give the oceans a chance to recover.