Meds and BHG's

Wild-Woman · #1 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 07:13 PM

Apologies for the quality of the following image but I was quite pleased to catch up with 3 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls in amongst the many thousands of Black-headed Gulls at Rye Harbour Reserve today.
It shows quite well the differences to look out for - the black hood down to the nape the red beak and the bright plummage without the visible black tips of the BHG's.

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 07:19 PM

Its great to see a picture of them both side by side. They also have a nice call which is very different to a BH gull.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david156

Its great to see a picture of them both side by side. They also have a nice call which is very different to a BH gull.

Yes the call has a real laughing quality to it. Rye Harbour is an excellent place for breeding Med Gulls- last year I think there were more than 20 breeding pairs.

Did you see any returned Sandwich Terns WW? Beautiful reserve- one of the few places in the south-east were Wheatears breed.

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 28-03-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Did you see any returned Sandwich Terns WW? Beautiful reserve- one of the few places in the south-east were Wheatears breed.

Kept our eyes peeled for Sandwich terns but we didn't see any sadly.
Avocets were on one of the pools.

As to your statement about the beauty of the reserve, yes it is mostly but presently the EA are making some saltmarsh habitat immediately off the track from the carpark and it is quite frankly a mess at the moment. They are having to do this because of the European law enforcing the creation of this because of work done on flood defences. I was a bit concerned that they should really display a large version of the message they had posted on a couple of pokey bits of A4 paper stuck on a fence. A big board with ' What we are doing, why we are doing it' would have reassured some very puzzled onlookers, including ourselves.

I shall be writing to them with my suggestions.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk...d+conservation

Added this for your info if folk are interested.

htcdude · #5 (**permalink**) 29-03-2011, 08:51 AM

Hey great contrast pic, you can notice them differences well

I'm hoping to visit Rye at the end of May to catch some gulls & terns

Nige

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 29-03-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htcdude

Hey great contrast pic, you can notice them differences well

I'm hoping to visit Rye at the end of May to catch some gulls & terns

Nige

Yes its well worth the visit Nige.
Can I also recommend just about the best fish and chip restaurant on the south coast too. In the quaint village of Rye itself is Marino's. Batter to die for- so much to eat, you'll only need one meal that will last all day. Great service and friendly.

Hopefully the reserves upheaval that's happening for saltmarsh creation, will be done and dusted by then.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 29-03-2011, 05:31 PM

In May the shingle is alive with colour from the wild flowers + if good weather can be good for butterflies, etc.

Also breeding gulls, terns + waders in full swing.

htcdude · #8 (**permalink**) 29-03-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Yes its well worth the visit Nige.
Can I also recommend just about the best fish and chip restaurant on the south coast too. In the quaint village of Rye itself is Marino's. Batter to die for- so much to eat, you'll only need one meal that will last all day. Great service and friendly.

Hopefully the reserves upheaval that's happening for saltmarsh creation, will be done and dusted by then.

Will pop in there for breakfast then thanks