RSPB Rye Meads

A couple of visits recently, starting with the Draper hide where some works were planned on the scrape. As this commenced, a chance to get some shots of birds relocating including these Gadwall.

The light was just right for this lumbering Grey Heron.

Three of four Green Sandpipers were present including this one ringed in November 2020.

At the Gadwall hide, duck numbers were building up, but no sign of the Bittern that has been reported for a few days. However, a lone Common Snipe was on the island in front.

The 20th October started with torrential rain, but then improved, so I spent some time at the Kingfisher hub. The male was perched up when I arrived, but then the heavens opened again. He braved the downpour for 15 minutes before flying off. I thought that was it, but the rain slowed and the sun came out, and the action began!

Whilst the breeding season has long passed, the male was joined by the female, both obviously keeping an eye on their breeding territory. Both birds fished with the male catching quite a large baby Carp.

Both birds spent some time preening.

I was the only person in the hide, and the changing weather conditions made it a magical couple of hours!

Some great views, and as a footnote I popped in on the 22nd October and just before closing time spotted this distant Water Pipit. A great bird for Rye Meads.