Pett Amount Recovered salt marsh suitable for wintering geese
Sandwiched between Rye Harbour and the sandstone cliffs of Hastings Country Park, Pett Level comprises a large region of sheep-grazed pasture protected by a sea wall acceptable for wintering geese and roving birds of prey. The Levels are criss-crossed by drainage ditches and bordered by the Royal Military Canal to the north, together with several roadside lagoons that bring flocks of roosting waders, gulls and ducks.
- By Toots Rock, cross the road and climb the ocean wall for viewpoints around Rye Bay. Given an onshore wind at high tide, the likes of Red-throated Diver and Fantastic CrestedGrebe ought to be about the sea, Together with passing Gannet, Kittiwake and auks. Carefully assess through the wintering flock of Common Scoters to get a Velvet Scoter, or maybe an Eider. Scan west to Cliff End to get a prospecting Fulmar soaring along the sandstone cliffs.
- At low tide, assess the shore for waders such as Turnstone, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Ringed Plover. Flocks of gulls can include Mediterranean and Yellow-leggedGulls. Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and the occasional Rock Pipit feed one of rotting seaweed along the strandline, where Snow Buntings aresometimes noted. Pett Pools atracts Little Grebe, Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler and Gadwall, Little Egret, Snipe and Green Sandpiper, plus roosting beach waders, big flocks of gulls and feral geese.
- The footpath crossing the OLevel is a good area to scan to get a wintering goose flock that may contain genuine wild’ White-fronted or Brent Geese among the numerous Greylags, Canadas and Egyptians, and occasionally Bewick’s Swans. Birds of prey probably include Kestrel, Merlin, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine.
- Scan across the hilsideforTsoaring Raven, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, and at dusk Barn Ol.
The ditches and wash near the canal are all favoured locations for Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Water Rail and more.
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Check the roadside pools at
high tide for roosting waders.
TARGET SPECIES
WINTER
Red-throated Diver
Gannet
White-fronted Goose
Brent Goose
Common Scoter
Fulmar
Golden Plover
Curlew
Rock Pipit
SPRING
Hobby
Yellow Wagtail
Whimbrel
Greenshank
Wheatear
Hirundines
Warblers
SUMMER
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Hobby
Hirundines
Swif
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: TN35 4EL
GRID REF: TQ 894 138
MAPS: OS Explorer 125,
OS Landranger 189
PARKING: Park by Toot`s Rock along
Pett Level Road
TERRAIN:
Level ground with a variety of rough
tracks and metalled paths
ACCESS:
Year-round access on public footpaths
FACILITIES: None on-site. Toilets
and pub in Pett village and
Winchelsea café nearby