We're slowly getting back into gear at Rye Meads after the Christmas break, and despite a weekend where the weather spent one entire day pouring with rain on us, and one day where the entire reserve was shrouded in freezing fog (!) we managed to gather a reasonable list of sightings together, including: Snipe, Water rail, Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Pintail, Sparrowhawk, a pair of Bullfinch and exceptional views of a resident Water vole eating apples on the floating platform.
We've got a range of new events and activities coming up over the next couple of months so keep your eyes peeled on the website here:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/r/ryemeads/events.aspx
as they will all be added in the next week! Some of the main things are our new preschool 'Messy welly' sessions starting on Wednesday 21 January and our BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH weekend on 24/25 January. Plus, don't forget our young Wildlife Explorer's Club which is on the third Saturday of each month from 11 am - 1 pm, aimed at 6 years old upward, but all welcome if accompanied by an adult.
On Friday we trialed our first group hike of the local area, starting at the centre, following the river to Amwell - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust nature reserve, then up and round Easneye Woods on public footpaths and back across farmland by Hunsdon before reaching the toll road and following it back to Rye Meads for tea and mince pies 10 miles later! We were incredibly lucky with bright sunny weather and clear blue skies, and only a spattering of mud underfoot, and we were rewarded with sightings of over 43 bird species! These included close up views of Buzzard and Red Kite as they circled over us, a Kestrel hunting, Sparrowhawk, House sparrow, Grey wagtail, Shelduck, Great crested grebe, Wigeon, Pochard, Lapwing, Carrion crow, Grey partridge, Redwing, Fieldfare, Kingfisher and a tame Robin. If this sounds appealing, then keep an eye out for other similar walks coming up this year. Here are a couple of photos our volunteer Helen Jones took of the day. For more see RSPB Three Counties on Facebook!
Happy New Year, and see you all soon!