PANNEL VALLEY
Search for passage waders along a ‘hidden’ valley
Sandwiched between the villages of Icklesham and Pett lies Pannel Sewer, a drainage channel linked into the Royal Military Canal. Reedbeds, sedge, pools and rough grassland attracts a variety of breeding wetland birds, with two hides affording close views of freshwater passage waders. The adjacent pasture and roadside pools of Pett Levels are further bird-rich habitats. The foreshore and waters of Rye Bay are also of interest for shorebirds at low tide and terns and gulls at high tide, while given an onshore wind in autumn, seabirds could appear.
WHERE TO WATCH 1
Climb sea wall for views across Rye Bay. At low tide search for waders such as Turnstone, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Oystercatcher, along with terns and gulls that can include Little Tern, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls. Scan west for Fulmar and Kittiwake. At high tide check for fishing Common and Sandwich Terns and, as autumn approaches, the chance of Gannet, Common Scoter, auks and Red-throated Diver. Pied and Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear and Meadow Pipit feed here. A good vantage point to scan Pett Levels.
2
The footpath is a suitable area for feral goose flocks, while mixed flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank are also likely with occasional small numbers of passage Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank and Ruff on the sheep pasture, plus Grey Heron, Little and Great White Egrets in drainage channels. Scrub attracts Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat. You could see Marsh Harrier and Peregrine with a chance of Barn Owl towards Carter’s Farm at dusk.
3
Scan for Raven, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, plus Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Mistle Thrush. Ditches and scrub nearby are favoured locations for Kingfisher, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats, Reed, Sedge and Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Water Rail and the odd Bearded Tit. Corvids, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Sky Lark feed here. Hobby, hirundines and Swift hawk insects along the valley.
4
From the hides overlooking the lagoons check for Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Greenshank, Common, Wood and Green Sandpipers. Wildfowl should include Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and possibly Garganey, plus Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Little and Great White Egrets, Stonechat and Whinchat. Reedbeds harbour Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting and Cuckoo.