We're holding a dusk walk on Saturday 3 August, led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide, 7 - 9 pm. Find out what stirrs at dusk on the reserve. £3 for members, £6 for non-members. Numbers limited so please book on 01992 708383.

Or, fancy spending the whole night on the reserve? We're holding a BIG WILD SLEEPOUT on the night of Saturday 10 August. Fun activities including a bat walk, campfire and…

Want to have the reserve practically to yourself first thing in the morning? Have exclusive use of the Kingfisher Hide to view the nesting kingfishers, or just take a quiet stroll round the reserve?

We are running a VIP Kingfisher morning, 7 am until the reserve opens at 10, Sunday 7 July, timed to give you great opportunities to see and photograph the nesting kingfishers. It's only available for 10 lucky people so…

The kingfishers appear to be incubating their second brood at the Kingfisher Hide bank, and we have several fluffy tern chicks on the large new raft. You can see them best on the monitor in reception as we have a camera pointing directly onto the tern raft.

Joan

Hello everyone!

How are you?

Thought I would pop over and tell you about our Wildlife Explorers Club that is happening on Saturday 6 July.

It's something a little different for us, and I am thrilled to say we have 5 spaces left!

On Saturday 6 July (from 11 am-1 pm) we will be taking part in one of their fabulous outdoor adventure courses.

The group voted for a bumble: This is a session unique to Harlow outdoors…

A male kingfisher has been pottering about today between a nest hole and a post outside the bank.

Joan

We have a Wildlife Watch from one of our hides on 29 June between 2 pm and 4 pm. You can join our lovely and experienced volunteers to find out more about the reserve and the wildlife that makes its home here. Get help spotting and identifying everything you can see. You don't need to book for this event - just turn up any time between 2 and 4, and it's free.

Our next WEx Club is on 6 July - this event is a…

So, five kingfishers fledged the nestbank today, and had finally dispersed by close of play, leaving the adults to get on with their next vital job - raising brood number two. These kingfishers normally manage three broods in a season so there should still be plenty of activity from the kingfisher hide this summer.

Well done Rye Meads kingfishers!

Joan

Our kingfishers fledged this morning! Three youngsters (and a possible fourth) flew from the nest bank. They have been hanging around quite a bit today rather than just dispersing. The adult pair should be settling down for their next brood shortly so the fun and games won't stop!

Joan

Despite the adults trying and trying to call them out, the kingfisher chicks have still been sitting tight these last couple of days. They are now overdue fledging. The adult pair is starting on its second brood, so it can't be long before the chicks emerge. Surely this weekend?

Joan 

The fledging date is predicted for Wednesday 5 June, but of course, in nature, anything can happen! They are certainly active today.

If you come to see the kingfishers, please move round in the hide so that others can have a view - thanks!

Joan

A marsh harrier was seen at Rye Meads yesterday (Sunday 19 May). The kingfishers are feeding their young and very visible from the Kingfisher Hide.

Joan

There are only three places left on Tom's photographic workshop on Saturday 15 June so book now on 01992 708383 to secure your place.

The workshop runs 10 am to 3 pm and is perfect if you want to learn or improve your photographic skills.

Cost £30 for members and £40 for non-members, or join on the day for the cheaper price.

Join us on our nestbox watch where the Rye Meads Ringers will be checking and ringing the baby birds in nestboxes on site. A great chance to see baby birds up close. Fantastic for families.

Saturday 1 June, 1 - 3 pm

£4 for members, £6 for non-members (adults and children), or join on the day to take advantage of the reduced price.

Places are limited and booking fast, so please call 01992 708383 to secure…

The Wacky Wildlife Adventures is running 10 am to 4 pm in the half term week, Tuesday - Thursday, 28 - 30 May.

Places are limited so please call 01992 708383, or e-mail becky.shenton@rspb.org.uk to book. You need to be 6 to 12 years old to join us for holiday fun!

Costs £17 for WEx members, or £25 for non-members (you can join on the day to take advantage of the reduced price).

Tuesday 28 May - Woodcraft…

Our kingfisher pair, nesting in the bank visible from the Kingfisher Hide, is now feeding young, despite the best efforts of a second intruder pair to put them off. Now is a great time to come and watch them going in and out of the nest bank, and visits will increase over the next two weeks until the young fledge as their appetites grow.

Joan

Come and photograph the wildlife that makes Rye Meads its home under the expert tuition of Tom Mason.

Only three places remain for Tom Mason's photographic workshop on Saturday 15 June, 10 am to 3 pm.

£30 for members, £40 for members (or join on the day for the discounted price).

Book now to avoid disappointment.

Our monthly Wildlife Explorers' Club meets on Saturday 18 May between 11 am and 1 pm. We'll be doing 'Everything Eggy'. Numbers are limited so please book a place by calling 01992 708383.  Suitable for 6 to 11 year olds. First timers welcome.

There's a Wildlife Watch on Saturday 25 May - volunteers will be in a hide to help you spot and identify wildlife. Great for families and to increase your wildlife…

We have our first three mallard ducklings and six goslings!

Joan

Banish boredom in the half term at our Playscheme!

Tuesday to Thursday, 28 - 30 May, 10 am to 4 pm

The Wacky Wildlife Adventures is our fun holiday club for children aged 6 to 12. Something different every day!

Costs £17 for WEx members or £25 for non members per day. Booking essential.

Please call the reserve on 01992 708383.

We also have a WEx group in May.

Saturday 18 May, 11 am to 1 pm

Everything…

We spotted the first swifts of the year at Rye Meads on 30 April - about a dozen were wheeling high above the visitor centre.

In a sudden rush of activity, we now have most of our migrants back: cuckoo, sedge warbler, blackcap, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff, willow warbler, swallow, common terns, sand martin, house martin, reed warbler, hobby, little ringed plover.

We still haven't seen or heard turtle…

Our kingfisher pair is now incubating eggs, due to hatch approximately 10-12 May.

Yesterday, an interloper pair was messing about at the nest bank! The resident pair was busy chasing them off! One of the males has a chunk of wing feathers missing presumably from where they have been fighting. Hopefully the interlopers will move to the alternative bank outside the Gadwall Hide!

Joan

The reserve will be open from 7.30 am on Sunday 5 May.

Come and make the most of the day!

Joan

On 1 June our Ringing Group will be ringing the birds in the nestboxes on site. You can come and watch! A fantastic opportunity to see birds close up, and great for families.

Please call 01992 708383 to book a place. This event runs 1 pm to 3 pm.

£4 for members, £6 for non-members, or join on the day to take advantage of the reduced charge.

Please note that this event has been rescheduled from 18 May 

Celebrate International Dawn Chorus day at Rye Meads!

Sunday 5 May, 5 am to 7 am.

The reserve will be resonant with the songs of spring migrants as well as resident birds. Learn to identify their calls and then enjoy a hot drink and croissant in the visitor centre afterwards (included in the price).

£4 for members, £6 for non-members (you can join on the day for the reduced price), booking essential. Please call…

All we need is some terns now! We have had a few flying over, but it will probably be a while before they stick around.

We are experimenting with some new style, bigger rafts to see if the terns prefer them.

Joan