The other side of Easter has seen a mixture of warm and still, and cool and windy - fortunately we've begun to see plenty of Year Firsts, including Reed Warblers and the unmistakable sounds of Cuckoos. We've also had a pair of very confident Kestrels mating around the nest boxes near the Kingfisher Hub and the car park - we have our fingers crossed for nesting after a couple of years of absence! Redshank have also been…

The Easter holidays has seen a buzz of activity at Rye Meads, and that’s not just from the early gathering bees! Families have been enjoying our Easter Egg-stravaganza activity trail, and pond dipping discoveries have included newts, water scorpions and more!

A very lucky pond dipper, catching a newt, a backswimmer, and a caddis fly larva!

But around the rest of the reserve, our migrant species are beginning to…

What a beast! Amazing great diving beetle from our pond dipping area today. #greatdivingbeetle Pond dipping running until 18 April £3 if you want to try your luck.

Last year we were delighted to see two active pairs, and despite the drama of losing a male from the hub pair we still successfully fledged 4 broods. So, we are keen to see what the 2022 breeding season will bring!

We aim to offer everyone a great visitor experience when visiting Rye Meads. In anticipation of another busy year, we are launching some new requirements…

Due to the strong winds and Amber warning issued for #StormEunice we are taking the decision to close the reserve tomorrow (18 February 2022).        We have made this decision with everyone’s safety in mind, stay safe!  

We’re delighted to be partnering with Netflix and Aardman on Robin Robin, a half-hour, stop-motion, festive story for the whole family, about a young robin trying to fit in. It’s debuting on Netflix on 24 November – get the date in your diary!

To celebrate, we’re inviting you to join exclusive Robin Robin-themed adventure trails right here at Rye Meads this Christmas season.

Over 30 RSPB nature…

National Grid will be undertaking maintenace on the pylon in our car park during July. This will mean the closure of part of the car park and so limited parking while work is undertaken. Closures:- 9-12 July & 26-27 July We will keep you updated about any changes.

Rye Meads Half Term Events

Sunday 30 May – Friday 4 June & Sunday 6 June

Self-led Migration Trail

Sunday 30 May – Friday 4 June & Sunday 6 June 9 am-4.00 pm

Join Sunny the swallow on migration from South Africa to Rye Meads, 6,000 miles!  Face the perils and see the sights as you cross the Sahara Desert, Europe and the English Channel and arrive ready to breed at Rye Meads!

Closed Saturday 5 June

Great start to 2021 Year List, Peregrine up on the pylon, male blackcap and redwing in the car park. What's the first bird on your 2021 year list, do let us know! Hoping yesterdays little weasel visits again to start off mammals as well, bonus.

We are now in a Tier 3 Area

We know how important getting into nature during this difficult time is for our health and wellbeing.

Here at Rye Meads Fieldfares and Redwing are feasting on the hawthorn berries and starlings and yellowhammers are roosting in the reedbed.

We also have lots of muddy puddles for jumping in for little ones... or big ones too!

Come and visit your local nature reserve and enjoy the autumn colours…

️WINTER OPENING TIMES ️

From Monday 24 Nov to end of Feb:

Car park open (9am-4pm, £4 for non-members)

Staffed, Covid-secure, outdoor welcome point (10am-4pm)

Trails open (9am-4pm)

Toilets open (10am-4pm)

Take away refreshments available to purchase, card payment preferred

Hides and Visitor Centre closed

Reserve remains closed on Saturdays

Please note: Rye Meads will be closed 24, 25, 26 Dec and 4 and 5 Jan.

We know that for many of you, Rye Meads reserve provides enjoyment and solace in the natural world throughout these challenging times. In line with Government guidance on essential, daily exercise outdoors, during #SecondLockdown, our car park, trails and toilets remain open for you to visit. Please follow all current Government guidance around social distancing, who you can visit with, hygiene and follow all signage…

Sightings over the past few weeks have included Stonechat and Whinchat out on the meadow.

From Draper there have been sightings of  Jack Snipe, Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Wigeon.

Photo: Snipe by Keith Bedford

Waterfowl numbers have been building up nicely with 120 Teal seen and good numbers of Gadwall and Shoveller.

Photo: Gadwall by Keith Bedford

Visitors have has nice views of Goldcrests on the trail up to Draper…

We currently have a wood sandpiper visible from the Draper hide.

We have opened the Draper hide for visiting but there are some restrictions on use: please follow social distancing and wear face covering, maximum capacity 3 people or 1 family group, maximum stay 45 min. 

The wood sandpiper is regularly joined by green sandpiper (up to 6) and snipe (up to 6), we also had a common sandpiper last week, so being able to spot…

Come to Rye Meads with the family to try out some of the RSPB’s wild challenge activities.

Have your phone ready and look out for the QR codes on signs around the reserve. 

You can find links to activities such as bird watching, matching natures colours, being a nature detective – finding out what animals are about and looking at tress, leaves and seeds.

It’s free and could be the start of a whole outdoor…