Wildlife along the River Rother (East)

River Rother (East). © Richard Fairhurst

The River Rother from Rye up to Iden lies in the Romney Marsh.

Romney Marsh provides an unique haven for a variety of wildlife. Amongst its wetland inhabitants are marsh frogs (or laughing frogs), dragonflies and reed warblers. Also present is the water vole, although the presence of this animal is declining throughout the rest of the country, this shy animal is common on the Romney Marsh. Surveys are also carried out on the numbers of medicinal leech and great crested newts.

The area is also very popular with bird watchers with many different species present, such as the yellow hammer, corn bunting or the skylark, linnets and tree sparrows.

In the winter, Bewick's swans herd to Brookland area and large numbers of wildfowl head for the Marsh like wigeon, smew, teal, golder plover, lapwings and white-fronted geese. The very rare marsh mallow plant can be found here, and its namesake moth can only be found in this region and in one other place in the UK.

Rye Harbour also has its own nature reserve, with plentiful parking for those who would like to explore the area. For more information, click here.