RYE HARBOUR AS HOURS PASSED...

 Rye Harbour As Hours Passed…

Morning winds chilled and cold drizzle spurted

Across the nature reserve, weakening

The natural light;

But the redshank still paddled and hurried,

As avocets high-stepped and swept 

Bent bills this way and that in the shallows with style.

An audience of oystercatchers observed,

A chorus in uniform, piping

During their streaky, undulating flight…

Afternoon breezes becalmed and warmth flirted

With the nature reserve, brightening

The natural light;

But the redshank still foraged and scurried,

As avocets high-strode and kept

Swiping angled beaks through the shallows in style.

A flock of oystercatchers, unreserved

Sought cockles in the mud, sniping,

Then dazzled in bursts of dashing low flight…

Pete Ray

17th March 2023 

Morning, then afternoon visits to Rye’s nature reserve. 

Life continued for birds in much the same way, despite the cold, windy and dull morning, which preceded a warm, breezy and bright afternoon…