How things are working at the moment - a reserve facilities update - 1st June 2021

Morning all – just an update on where we are with access to the reserve and such like at the moment...

• The reserve is open from 9.30am to 5pm Tuesday through to Sunday. We are currently still closed on Mondays – and don’t forget we lock the car park gates at 5pm too!
• The shop is open for business as usual for all your bird food, bird care, gift and books but only selling binoculars and telescopes is still tricky at the moment although it is not impossible – give us a call if you wish to come in and look at something or we can get Howard to have a chat and give some advice! There are NO ICECREAMS for the time being... Face coverings must be worn while inside.
• Reception is still outside the building so please bear with is at busy times as we have to engage with everyone just to see where they are going. We are still obliged to collect Track and Trace for everyone over 16 heading into the inner trail – but not to the river wall part of the reserve.   Membership is still available – just ask one of us or at the stand in the car park if one of our Fundraisers is in.
• Cafe is still running a limited take-away service from upstairs with hot and cold drinks, snacks and soup, hot pasties and such like. There are currently no sandwiches and jacket potatoes etc.  Face coverings must be worn while inside. There is now seating on the balcony and around the Centre.
• The trail is still fully open although only as a one way 2.5mile circuit or as a shorter loop out through the turnstile to the river wall. This also means that the big playground is currently at the end of the big loop and not the start – just a heads up!
• Purfleet and Ken Barrett Hides are now back in use with doors and windows opened and area disinfected by volunteers in the morning. Face coverings must be worn while inside. The Butts Hide is still closed as our new Avocet population has re-laid just outside so hopefully we shall open it again once they Minicets are scurrying around.
• The Toilets are open at the Visitor centre but are still closed half way round.
• Dogs and bicycles are welcome on the reserve but only on the River wall sections and not on the inner loop.
• Bicycle Hire is available again. Just ask at Reception. We have a limited supply and also a kids trailer and rear bike seat so it may be worth ringing before hand to reserve them if you know you are coming!  Call 01708899840
• We are in discussion about the resumption of our events programme but in the meantime we have started up our new Forest School event for under 5's. So much outdoor fun and adventure including music, stories and mud! We start on 10 June, so hurry and book your place now: https://rainhamforestschool.eventbrite.co.uk
• The Photography Hide is available to hire once again by ringing 01708899840 or emailing marshes@rspb.org.uk

Hope that helps 

oh and Green Veined White on Forget-me-nots because you can't have a post without a picture!