Hello All
The Rye Meads Ringing Group (RMRG) have been busy ringing the hirundines that have been roosting on site as they stop off on their migration. Over the last few weeks the RMRG have ringed over 700 swallows and about 70 sand martins, that were caught in front of the Draper hide. Encouraged by the RMRG's 'happy hirundine' soundtracks we have had roosts of 100 to 500 on a regular basis.
Therefore, we have decided to try and show you this lovely sight with an extended opening event tomorrow night, Saturday 20 September. The reserve will stay open after 5 pm, £3 members and £5 non-members, pay when you come in if you'd like to stay on for the event. You are free to visit the hides and wander the trails while waiting for the action to start. We expect the hirundines to start building up from about 6 pm feeding and flocking in the sky above the Draper scrape and Lee Marsh. We then suggest you make your way to the Draper hide to see the flocks swooping low over the reeds from then onwards before either being caught (out of sight from the hide) or going to roost in the reedbeds at the back of Draper. The RMRG will bring a few of the captured birds to show you before removing the bulk for ringing and roosting. The reserve gates and visitor center will be locked from 6.30 pm as we will be heading down to see the birds coming in to roost, so if you wish to join us for this event please arrive before 6.30 pm.
As always, there are no guarantees as the migration may have stopped, there may be a small roost or the weather may not be great (there will be no ringing carried out in the rain) , but we'll do our best. For your information, the largest swallow roost ever recorded at Rye Meads was 2500 on 20 September 1961 so we should still be attracting birds!
Fingers crossed for a good roost and we hope to see you tomorrow.
Thanks
Vicky