Reserve not open yet.

Following announcements this week from the government regarding the lifting of some of the lockdown restrictions, I wanted to provide you with the following update regarding the reserve. 

• The Rainham Marshes reserve trails and visitor centre will continue to be kept closed to the public for now. We will only re-open when we have everything in place to keep our visitors, volunteers and employees safe.
• We will not be opening the car park yet, but access on to the riverwall section of the reserve remains open and available for people to enjoy. This means access is maintained for local people exercising.
• We need to make sure that the wildlife on the reserve is also ready to receive visitors after having had several months completely on its own. With the potential for species to be nesting near busy paths, we will need some time to make sure they are safe.
• Across our reserves network, we will be taking a coordinated, gradual and phased approach over the coming weeks. This is likely to mean that different sites re-open at different times, and with different levels of access and facilities.

We ask that you bear with us in these difficult times and check our reserve website, Facebook and Twitter regularly for the latest information, as well as the RSPB Covid-19 updates here. 

If you are exercising on the riverwall section of the site or other public rights of way in the wider area, as well as abiding by social distancing measures, we urge you to be alert for nature. Please be extra careful around wildlife -  especially on beaches (where birds such as plovers nest), paths (where plants have emerged, and birds may have nested) and open landscapes (ground nesting birds and other wildlife can easily be disturbed by people and dogs off leads). 

Thank you. We look forward to being able to welcome you back when it can be done safely and responsibly, for all the people and wildlife concerned.