Did you know that Rye Meads runs a programme of curriculum linked, Quality Badge assessed courses for schools? More than 3,000 children each year benefit from our education programmes here at Rye Meads. Each year we are fully booked, so if you fancy bringing your school here, give us a call soon so that we cater for your needs and book you a day.

Please phone 01992 708383 and ask to speak to our Education Officer. 

Saturday 27 April WILDLIFE WATCH

Volunteers will be in a hide to help you spot and identify birds that make their home at Rye Meads. Hopefully there will be plenty of newly arrived migrants around. 2 – 4 pm. No need to book and it’s free!

More Wildlife Watches in May on 11th (10 am to noon), 12th (10 am to noon) and 25th (2 – 4 pm)

5 May DAWN CHORUS

Calling all early birds! Come to our dawn chorus…

Chiffchaffs and blackcaps have arrived back at Rye Meads, along with swallows and martins. One common tern has flown over so hopefully they will be arriving to breed shortly. A whitethroat has been heard just offsite, and Cetti's are calling like crazy! Kingfishers have been mating since the 6th so should be laying, but have not yet started to incubate, so are very active around the nest though and showing well.…

The sun is shining at Rye Meads today. There is a still a bittern in the Ashby Reedbed, and a marsh harrier was seen at close of play last night. A female stonechat is in the car park area. Maybe it's even warm enough for a butterfly or two? It all seems to be happening so why not pay us a visit?

Joan

We have a very active kingfisher pair prospecting at the artificial nestbank opposite the Kingfisher Hide. Last year, kingfishers had three broods of young here, so it's looking as if it might be another good season for them.

For an up-close view of these stunning birds which make Rye Meads their home, pop to the reserve for a look. Binoculars are availabe for hire for £1.50.

Lots of other wildlife to see…

We have a Wildlife Watch on 31 March at 10 am to 12 noon - just turn up no need to book! Volunteers will be in a hide helping you to spot wildlife.

We also have early opening, from 7.30 am, on Easter Day. Again, just turn up from 7.30 am onwards.

Don't forget to book for our Easter Holiday Playscheme which is running 2-4 and 9-11 April. The holiday club is suitable for 6-12 year olds and runs 10 am to 4 pm each day…

Need help spotting and identifying wildlife? Improve your skills with expert help from our lovely volunteers who will be in a hide on Saturday 23 March between 2 and 4 pm. It’s free and you can just turn up any time between these times – no need to book.

Joan

We now have a small cafe at Rye Meads - a few tables and chairs, plus a selection of biscuits, crisps, flapjacks and drinks.

Thank you to all our visitors who have filled in questionnaires about your day on the reserve. A cafe was your number one request . . . and here it is!

Joan

A pair of kingfishers are very active at the Kingfisher bank.

Also, little egret on the wet meadow and a great crested grebe from the Tern Hide.

Joan

I'm pleased to be able to let you know that the contractors have left the site and all our trails and hides are open as usual. You now have full access to the reserve again. And the sun is shining! Hope you visit us soon!

Joan

Joan Childs, Site Manager

A curlew has been around the reserve on and off for the last few days - it was about all day on Sunday, along with 12 snipe and a green sandpiper. Also a bittern was seen at the weekend.

Joan

There are just a few places left for our WEx Club on Saturday 16 March, which this month is all about wildlife art, so hurry and book!

The WEx Club is suitable for 6 - 11 year olds and runs 11 am to 1 pm. £3 for members, £6 for non-members (or you can join on the day).

Please call 01992 7383 to book.

Joan

We will be holding a dawn chorus event on the reserve on Sunday 5 May - that's International Dawn Chorus Day!

The event will run 5 am to 7 am, and there will be croissant and hot drinks included in the price.

Please call 01992 708383 to book.

Joan

We will be opening at 7.30 am on Easter Day.  Come and join us early!

Joan

Our reedbed works are complete and the diggers are in the process of leaving the reserve. Most of the trails are open from tomorrow (Friday 8 March) but they are bit churned up in places so wellies are recommended!

Works are still required on the Kingfisher Loop which will remain shut until (probably) Wednesday 15 March.

Thank you all for your patience and we look forward to seeing you on the reserve!

Joan

Spring hit the reserve on Tuesday 5 March with sunshine and blue skies - we had a brimstone and peacock butterflies, and Cetti's warblers are singing like crazy! The first tentative chiffchaff calls have been heard, though they're not in full song yet, and a curlew has been calling.

Spring really does seem only just round the corner!

Joan

We're just having the last bits of reedbed works done and if everything goes to plan, and weather willing, it should be finished by the weekend 9/10 March. We hope that the paths will be open by then, but please call on 01992 708383 to check. The Kingfisher Loop will have to remain closed over the weekend while additional works take place. All being well this loop should be open on Wed 23 March, but again please call…

is on Saturday 9th March. One of our volunteers will be in a hide to show you birds and other wildlife of Rye Meads.

No need to book, just turn up any time between 10 am and noon. It's free!

We’re now taking bookings for our next Wildlife Explorer’s Club on Saturday 16 March. A friendly and fun club, open to all 6 – 11 year olds, this month we’re getting creative and making some wildlife art. We’ll be sketching from hides, painting and making clay models. The club runs 11 am to 1 pm. Adults dropping children off are welcome to spend time on the reserve, and we now have a brand new Cafe Lite selling a range…

All our lovely visitors please bear with us. We still have the contractors on site and they are even working this weekend to try to get the work done quickly. You can still get to the Draper Hide and to the ramp overlooking the Ashby Hide and reedbed, but the paths are closed beyond this point, so you can't get into the Ashby, Gadwall, Tern, Kingfisher or Warbler Hides. We are really sorry for the closure, but hope…

Tom Mason will be giving a photographic lecture on Saturday 13 April, 3.30 pm to 6 pm, £5 for RSPB members, £8 for non-members, followed by a workshop on Saturday 15 June, 10 am to 3 pm, £30 for members, £40 for non-members (you can join on the day at the reserve to take advantage of the discounted price). Please call 01992 708383 to book a place. Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.…

Works are ongoing this week so path closures may be in place - please call on 01992 708381 for the latest update.

Thanks!

What a beautiful day. Lots of people have taken advantage of the fine weather and have come to Rye Meads. Today's highlights include resplendent teal in the sunshine, 15 snipe from the Tern hide, bittern and red kite flying over, bird song galore!

Try our new Cafe Lite. Have some coffee or orange juice with some cookies or crisps and sit at our new tables while reading a bird magazine or sit in front of the window…

The Rye Road bridge on Rye Road by the Rye House Pub will be closed to traffic from Monday 18th - Friday 22nd February. Please see below for alternative routes to the reserve.

FROM HODDESDON RYE ROAD: Turn into Old Highway. Follow the road to the end. Turn RIGHT. Follow the road to the roundabout. At the roundabout turn RIGHT. Go over the level crossing and carry on up Stanstead Abbotts High Street. At the mini roundabout…

Due to snow, our digger works have been delayed. There may be some path closures from Monday 18 Feb for two to three weeks.

If you have any queries, please phone the reserve on 01992 708383 for the latest news.

Thanks

Joan