Come to the reserve to learn more about wildlife in the safe hands of our volunteers who will be in one of our hides to help you improve your wildlife skills.

No need to book, just turn up any time between 2 pm and 4 pm.

Joan

Saturday 16 February 11 am - 1 pm we’ll be heading to Broxbourne Woods, near to Rye Meads, to take some photos. Our favourites will be exhibited at Rye Meads over the half term.

The WEx Club is our monthly wildlife club for children aged 6-11. First timers welcome! £3 for WEx members, £5 for non-members.

Call the reserve on 01992 708383 to book your place.

Our Stargazing event had to be cancelled because of snow, but we have a new date!

Saturday 23 February, 6 pm to 8.30 pm.

Loughton Astronomical Society will be running the event - it's free (£2 to park if you're not an RSPB member).

If the skies are clear you will be able to use telescopes to view such sights as Jupiter and the moon. If it's cloudy there will be talks and demonstations in the classrooms…

We have a few nestboxes left - a bargain at only £7.50. Great Mothers' Day gift! Put your nestbox up in your garden now and it will be ready for the summer's breeding season.

Joan

Joan Childs, Site Manager

We are having some exciting improvements done to one of our reedbeds. This work will allow us to manage the reedbed using a floating mechanical cutter, rather than having to cut it by hand, which required dropping the water levels, damaging fish stocks. This will make the reedbed better for wildlife.

From 11 February there may be some temporary closures to paths beyond the Ashby Hide for two to three weeks while large…

A visitor reported a bittern flying into the reed at the back of the pool in front of the Kingfisher Hide today.

Joan

Our Feed the Birds Trail will be out all through February. Perfect for families to test your knowledge and have some fun, and then get a goody bag for taking part.

Joan

We have our next Wildlife Watch from a hide on Sunday 10 Feb, 10 am - 12 noon. Great if you need a little help spotting and identifying wildlife, and particularly good for families. You don't have to book and there's no charge. Just turn up any time to benefit from an experienced volunteer's knowledge.

Joan

There's still time to do the Big Garden Birdwatch, and you can do it at Rye Meads. We have an active feeding area where you can watch through windows in the warm with a nice coffee or hot chocolate! Experts will be on hand during the day to help you spot and identify birds. Come and visit us!

Joan

One, possibly two bitterns on the reserve today. Peregrine on the pylon. Plenty of winter thrushes. Feeding station very busy, the highlight being six long-tailed tits.

Joan

You can come to the reserve over the weekend to do the Big Garden Birdwatch at our bird feeding station - sit the warmth of our coffee rooms with a hot drink and count the birds that arrive to our feeders and bird tables. There will be someone on hand to help you identify the birds and fill in the survey form. Or, you can take a form and do the Birdwatch at home. There's also a Feed the Birds Trail on at the reserve…

Hi everyone. There have been some really great birds today, despite all the water being frozen. A bittern was seen flying from the Tern hide to the Ashby hide around lunch time. This morning a female bullfinch was hanging round outside the back of the centre. Lots of fieldfares around. But the highlight of the day was 8 long tailed tits on the feeding station by the centre! They were absolutely gorgeous flitting backwards…

As well as running curriculum linked courses for schools, and our holiday club, can also organise a party for you at the reserve with fabulous activities such as pond dipping and minibeasting. An unusual and memorable party for children of all ages! Call 01992 708383 for further details and prices.

Joan

As well as running curriculum linked education courses for schools, and our holiday club, can also host your birthday party at the reserve with fantastic activities such as pond dipping and minibeasting. An unusual and memorable party for children of all ages! Call 01992 708383 for further information and prices.

Joan

It's snowy, but Rye Meads is open. Come for a winter walk and look for tracks and signs of wildlife.

Joan

Joan Childs, Site Manager

Big Garden Birdwatch

26/27 January weekend

You can come to the reserve to do your hour-long survey at our bird feeding station or for top tips on how to do it home. There will be a trail for families, with prizes. No need to book, and it’s free!

It's snowy, but we are open. Come and visit us for a winter walk!

Joan

Joan Childs, Site Manager

Unfortunately our Stargazing event tonight has had to be cancelled due to snow.

Sorry!

Joan

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that the reserve (including the car park) will be closed on Sunday 20 January. We are very sorry for any inconvenience, but due to weather conditions it would be too dangerous.

We may cancel the stargazing event due to the weather as well, if you are interested in coming along and would like to know if it is going ahead please ring 07919 300320 after 12 noon.

Thanks everyone!

THE RESERVE IS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO THE WEATHER

PLEASE CALL 01992 708383 TO FIND OUT WHEN WE ARE OPEN

THE WEX CLUB EVENT ON SATURDAY IS CANCELLED

PLEASE CALL TO CHECK IF THE STAR-GAZING EVENT ON SUNDAY  IS GOING AHEAD

ENJOY THE SNOW!

KEEP SAFE

Unfortunately due to  the snowy conditions we have decided to cancel tomorrow's Wildlife Explorer's Club.

We are planning to re-schedule - so keep an eye out!

Please be careful everyone - it's meant to be very snowy, so we decided to cancel the club as we don't want anyone trying to travel and getting stuck or haing an accident.

Please stay warm and be careful everyone!

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com…

Last weekend we had our Get ready for Big Garden Birdwatch event.

Over 100 people visited the reserve on Sunday and over 20 children took part in the Feed the Birds Trail, which taught them all about how birds feed and what they like to eat. Well done to all of you who completed the trail. All particpants also got to take home a garden survey to see if their own gardens are fit for birds. The children also made bird…

If you are planning on coming to the reserve at the weekend, please check by calling our SNOWLINE number - 07919 300320 to find out if we are opening. There's lots of snow forecast, so we may need to shut!

This phone line is only valid for this weekend.

Thanks

Joan

Joan Childs, Site Manager

Saturday 26 January, 2 - 4 pm

Volunteers will be in one of the hides to spot and identify birds and other wildlife, and to tell you about the reserve. Free for everyone, no need to book! We hope you can come!

Joan

Saturday 26 January, 2 - 4 pm, our lovely volunteers will be in one of the hides to spot and identify birds and other wildlife for you, and to tell you about the reserve. Free for everyone, no need to book!

Joan