Wildlife
Rye Bay has many different habitats with rare and interesting wildlife species. To help protect and conserve them, they are given special classifications, eg
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Special Protection Area (SPA)
- Important Bird Area (IBA)
- Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI).
Rye Bay has eight SSSIs, five SNCIs, an IBA and a candidate for an SPA. The area also contains a wetland about to be designated of international importance (under the Ramsar Convention) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from Pett Level to Dungeness.
Find out which plants and animals can be found in each habitat.
Shingle
An ever-changing coastline, containing globally rare plants and animals. The bare shingle is home to birds like the Little Tern and plants such as the Sea Pea. Older vegetated shingle ridges inland are home to special plant and animal communities able to cope with the harsh conditions.
Sand dune
The only sand dunes in the county are an important site for plants such as Sea Spurge and Sea Rocket. There are also many rare solitary bees and wasps. Find out more about the dunes at Camber.
Wetland
Excellent for bird life, in particular the reed beds which are home to Bitterns and Reed Warblers.
Salt marsh
Located around the mouth of the River Rother this habitat contains the rare Sea Heath and breeding birds like Redshanks.
Open water
Created by the removal of shingle, areas such as Pett Pools are a habitat for rare species of bird like the Smew and plants such as Saltmarsh Goosefoot.
Rivers
Popular for recreational fishing and managed for water drainage, the rivers are good places to see Kingfishers. Sometimes you can even see seals swimming up the River Rother estuary.
Grassland
Created by a network of drainage ditches controlling land drainage and agricultural management. Home to rare species like the Water Vole, Medicinal Leech and Marsh Mallow.
Coastal and marine
Important areas for wading birds and birds like Sanderlings. The marine environment offers hidden wildlife ranging from seaweed and plankton to jellyfish and fish.
Woodland and orchards
Mainly located up on higher ground these areas are important for wild flowers such as Bluebells and Foxgloves. They are also important habitats for insects, fungi and birds like the Green Woodpecker. Mammals such as Wild Boar have also been recorded in woods in the Peasmarsh area.
Other wildlife habitats in East Sussex
Find out about other wildlife habitats in East Sussex.
