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The foreshore at Hythe and the nearby woods and roads are a good place to see many different species of birds, some predictable and others less so. Black Headed Gulls usually closely attend the sea wall at Hythe where they have become used to the food provided by people sharing their lunch.
At low tide there are many other feeding birds at the water's edge with the black and white Oystercatcher always obvious with it's bright orange bill. As well as these there are Redshanks (with their red shanks!), Grey Plovers, and Ringed Plovers with their white collars and black bibs, Turnstones with their colourful shoulders, Dunlin and Sandpipers.
Less frequently the slightly upturned long bill of a Godwit will be seen but the Curlew and its long down-curved bill is a regular feeder. Out to sea the Greater Crested Grebes can be seen diving and feeding around the pier.
Most of these birds are also seen a little further down the road at Sir Christopher Court and beyond in Shore Road. In addition there are Cormorants, Shags and Little Egrets on the nature reserve alongside the road. Here there are other birds in the roadside hedges and the woods behind.
There are all the usual garden birds and both Greater and Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers can be seen and heard in the trees. A Black Redstart was recently seen as were Linnets, Chiffchaff and Long Tailed Tits.
If you continue along to the level crossing it is possible to return through the park and footpaths taking you through the reeds and alongside the railway line. Here there is a good chance to spot the little Reed Bunting with it's black and white face markings and maybe a Tree Creeper.
Dave Nutbeam |
