You don't have to visit one of our reserves to take part in our free Big Wild Sleepout, but if you do, we can't wait to welcome you!
This annual event is your one chance of the year to spend the night on our reserves, camping in an amazing nocturnal landscape.
Encompassing some of the best sites for wildlife in the South East, you can be sure that whichever reserve you choose; you will have a truly unique experience, so gather together your family and friends and book your place today!
We’ll be introducing you to a new reserve in each of our blogs over the next few weeks, but to see the full list of events now visit our website.
RSPB Rainham Marshes - Saturday 29th July
Set on the outskirts of London, this urban reserve is an oasis for wildlife. Water voles navigate the wetlands while lapwing, marsh frogs and warblers lend music to the air. A short hop on the train, this city location is the perfect weekend escape, especially when we are open overnight for the Big Wild Sleepout!
Howard Vaughn captures his highlights of Rainham's Big Wild Sleepout in this fantastically detailed blog:
"The atmosphere was great as the slight wind died down and the looming dark cloud moved on to reveal the makings of a good sunset....I had set my alarm for 2245 and gathered everyone away from the light to watch the heavens for a few minutes and bang on cue the International Space Station hurtled over at 17,100mph with its fins showing and the whole thing glowing brightly. Everyone was spellbound and most had never seen it before so I got the whole rapt audience to wave at the crew 258 miles above our heads.
At just after 11pm...I found myself sat in the dark as the clock ticked over to a new day, once again overlooking Aveley Pool with only the sounds of croaking marsh frogs, quarrelling herons, the odd quacking gadwall and plipping teal, fizzy pylon cables and the ever hunting barn owl for company...
It was a pleasant if quick walk back along the Northern Trail and the pools looked gorgeous in the early morn light. The barn owl was still up hunting and most of the big wilders were still snoozing although the restless ones were already out with Pat. The trails were alive with early foraging reed warblers, wrens and linnets. Cetti's warblers scolded me as I passed and the black tailed godwits were snickering on Aveley Pool."
Places for these extra special events are very limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.