The cold snap has broken and I'll miss parties of Lapwing over the house. One day heading This Way. Next day heading That Way. How do they decide which is the Right Way? Beautiful, elegant birds with a boy/girl-next-door flippy-flappy flight. #UKwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

I watched a female Merlin play with a Skylark. It feigned disinterest between intense attacks, breakneck stoops and dives. Maybe it meant to miss, wanting to prolong the act, knowing what the ultimate outcome would be. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

East Guldeford Level was good: 37 Snipe, 850 Golden Plover, 750 Lapwing, 45 Curlew, 1 Merlin, 50 Corn Bunting, 12 Yellowhammer, 8 Stonechat, 65 Fieldfare, flock of 900 Stock Dove, 2 Cattle Egret and distant flocks of passerines. 61 species. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife

Marsh life - looking for wildlife on East Guldeford Level. www.ryenews.org.uk/nature-and-e... #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds #Rye #Sussexbirds

East Guldeford Level was good: 37 Snipe, 850 Golden Plover, 750 Lapwing, 45 Curlew, 1 Merlin, 50 Corn Bunting, 12 Yellowhammer, 8 Stonechat, 65 Fieldfare, flock of 900 Stock Dove, 2 Cattle Egret and distant flocks of passerines. 61 species. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife

The bloke's a lawyer.

Guide in a Hide at Rye Harbour NR today: I recognised a young lad, aged about 10, from a previous GIAH. He knows his stuff, so I challenged him to a friendly bird ID quiz. He got 10/10. I think it made his dad's day. It made mine too. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #UKwildlife #birds

I saw some men in green-brown costumes in a field. Some other people shouted and 'whooped' in a copse and scared pheasants that flew out. The men in green-brown costumes shot them. They couldn't miss. Then the men in green-brown costumes looked bored, waiting for the next time that they could kill.

There's good habitat in the Brede Valley upstream of Winchelsea. It was quiet this beautiful morning with 1 Great White Egret, c400 Lapwing, 6 Stonechat and 25 Fieldfare, but interesting to see 6+ Chiffchaff all close together in a tiny patch of Hawthorn scrub. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds

It's great living in the country. You get excited when the gritter goes past at dusk, with its lights flashing and spinning like an alien craft.

11 White-fronted Geese with Greylags just north of Northpoint Sewer, seen from cycle-path at TQ935 202, near Rye, then all birds flew south towards Northpoint Pit or on towards Castle Water. Also nearby 100s of Golden Plover, Lapwing and a Cattle Egret. #UKbirding #birds @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Below our house, which nestles in the last folds of the Weald, the first (usually empty) flatlands are full of Lapwing & Golden Plover and peppered with Snipe. Scores of Teal & Wigeon arrow in from the NE. A Kingfisher sparkles in the sun and a Water Rail is out in the open. #UKwildlife #ColdWeather

A review of the more interesting avian happenings on Beachy Head in 2025, a decent year. Thanks to all the birders who've put the time in and shared news this year. #RareBirdsUK beachybirder.wordpress.com/2025/12/30/a...

Small Hythe - Maytham Wharf - Blackwall Bridge - Wittersham: 12+ (maybe 15) Goosander, 4 Great White Egret, 1,500 Lapwing, 55 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 3 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Wagtail, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, 250+ Fieldfare, 180+ Redwing, 51 sp #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #Kentwildlife #birds

On Sussex/Kent border at Maytham Wharf TQ866 276: at least 12 Goosander (4+ adult male) playing hide and seek on the Hexden / Maytham Channels. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social #UKwildlife #birds

Delighted to see a flock of c30 Chaffinch down the lane, so scarce have they become around Rye. Such beautiful birds. I'm starting to get the same buzz I used to get for Brambling, which I almost never see here anymore. 🤦🏻‍♂️ #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #UKbirds @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

When Golden Plovers fly with direct purpose they become knife-edged fighter planes, almost as much falcon as wader. But with soft, kindly faces. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Scots Float - Moneypenny - Camber - Rye: 4 White-fronted Geese, 2,500+ Lapwing, 1,700+ Golden Plover, 14 Snipe, 126 Curlew, 2 Cattle Egret, 24 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 5 Corn Bunting. 61 species. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birding @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Single Pink-footed Goose in with c220 Greylag Geese just north of Northpoint Sewer, viewed from cycle-path at TQ935 202, by Camber Road, near Rye. #UKbirding #birds @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

One day, when the time comes, just watching gulls and crows cut contrasting flight-paths over the house and seeing thrushes and tits shuffle and shift beneath will be just about enough.

The leaves fell away and a nondescript stand of young trees in Rye became a thing of beauty. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #trees

We love The Plough at Cock Marling, Rye. They've got Harvey's Old Ale on at the moment. A rare winter treat this far east. We used to call it 'engine oil' when I lived in Lewes. It's dark, rich, fruity and built for mid-winter. 🖤 www.theploughrye.co.uk

Around Castle Water today: 15 Cattle Egret, 1 Goldeneye, 55 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Harrier, 7 Snipe and 1,500+ Lapwing & c400 Golden Plover that just wouldn't settle. 50 sp. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds

A few words about Robins at Christmas, with a bit of footy shoe-horned in. Of course it is. www.ryenews.org.uk/nature-and-e... Photos by Barry Yates, Alan Martin and (below) James Tomlinson. #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife #birds #UKbirds

My mum is telling me about an old friend Oswald Duckett. He owned a pie shop and kept pigeons, before moving to Ramsbottom. I'm struggling to think of a more 'Lancashire' man. #MrLancashire

I had the best day, walking in the sun with my mum, speaking with friends I've known all my life and persuading mum that 'You, her and that little dog', however kindly meant, is not the best way to address a neighbour's Chistmas card. #dementia

Look at this, from my friend David in Edinburgh. It made me quite emotional. He does loads of voluntary work and he's been justly rewarded 🙏🏼

🚨 SIGN THE PETITION 🚨 We're backing MP Helena Dollimore's petition to end the use of bio-beads across the UK. Modern, safer alternatives exist – water companies must use them. 👉 Sign now: https://f.mtr.cool/ktkpksyvix Every signature counts. Together we can protect our coastline.

The perfect Christmas present for someone who loves Rye Harbour is membership of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve... ryeharbourfriends.net/join-us It would be so kind if you could pass this on. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #UKbirds #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife

There's a remarkable number of singing Song Thrushes around Rye just now. #UKwildlife #UKbirds @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Red-headed Black Owl at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve this afternoon. #UKwildlife #UKbirds #Sussexwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Kai won a house-point for good behaviour in the classroom. Madison worked hard and is allowed extra screen time. Donald stopped crying when he won a golden trophy for saying he could break up fights. But the playground attendant swears that he is the school bully. #CorruptFIFA

Rother/Wet Levels on the East Sussex/Kent border earlier: 21 Snipe in flight, c380 Lapwing, c400 Wigeon, 5 Great White, 1 Cattle & 6 Little Egret, 3 Kingfisher, 3 Red Kite, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Raven, 3 Stonechat. @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social #UKwildlife #birds

I have zero interest in finesse in cooking at this time of year. Getting as many vegetables and pulses into a pan is the plan. 🧅🥦🥔🧄🍅 #peasantfood #WeekLongStew

I'm the same age as Farage. The idea that casual racism was 'normal' at school back then is rubbish. Rock Against Racism was at its height. We knew what was right and what was wrong, very acutely. Many of the things Farage is alleged to have said were abhorrent back then, just as they are now.

On Camber Sands chatting nicely with someone I half-know. Me saying how wildlife is struggling and that dogs chasing birds on the beach doesn't help. He stops, points towards Rye Harbour NR and says 'Isn't that ****ing place enough for you?' @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve sightings for November 2025. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social #UKwildlife #Sussexwildlife

Black-bag corvids snagged on thorn trees. Bad-ass gothic baubles. #UKwildlife #birds @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #Naturewriting

Every time I borrow a book from the library it feels like an affirmation of the power of community and a teeny-tiny act of defiance against everything that I hate in the world.

In time for Christmas... the marzipan-scented flowers of Winter Heliotrope, out now in Rye. #UKwildlife @bsbibotany.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #wildflowerhour

I've been thinking a lot about how wonderful our birds' names are and then remembered this, from earlier in the year. sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/the-nam... #UKwildlife #birds

Rye sky on fire. #sunset

My mind moth trap caught: Frodsham Apron, Gauging Eyebrow, Splendid Phlegm, Smeared Arrow, Alder Dross, Brindled Cleat, Tethered Pinion, Grey Gusset, Triple-spotted Snifter, Gentle Ribbing #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #UKwildlife

In the garden a male Tawny Owl is at it, hammer and tongs, and it still blows my mind, every time, so urban am I. #UKbirding #Sussexbirding @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A quick march at Rye Harbour with 2 Goosander, Spoonbill, Kingfisher, 38 Pintail, Brent Geese, Dartford Warbler and hundreds of chiming Golden Plovers coming in off the pastures. As we left scores of Curlew were dropping softly onto the saltmarsh. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #UKwildlife

Today at Broomhill Sands there were large expanses of sand at low water. But, still the waders & gulls were constantly disturbed by just a few dogs, so efficient were they at quartering every part of the beach. How do we allow access while protecting nature? #UKwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

A Labour MP did bad admin and its all over the BBC like a rash for a week or more. The leader of Reform in Wales gets sent down for what's effectively treason and it hardly gets a mention. THAT is the BBC bias.

I love the Rother/Wet Levels, west of Wittersham. This afternoon 6+ Great White Egret, 100s of whistling, largely hidden, Wigeon, a few Teal and Snipe, 3 Kingfisher, 2 Red Kite and 3,000+ Starling. It'll get better in coming weeks... #UKwildlife #birds

All about Golden Plovers at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, with excellent photos by @rxnature.bsky.social www.ryenews.org.uk/nature-and-e... @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Marsh life. Just over the border into Kent. Between Stone and Fairfield.