What's going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tables, chairs outside the Kingfisher hide will result in unnecessary noise. Ridiculous idea!

Please read what I said, a picnic area - a picnic area = families - families = children - children can = noise.

I like peace and quite when I am there.

I totally agree with both statements. If there are plans to have tables and chairs outside the hid then I would disagree with this idea. There are three areas around the reserve which provide seating so I don't see this as a good thing going forward. There are three main issues which concern me greatly regarding the kingfishers. My first issue is that the kingfisher hide simply is not large enough to accommodate the demand. Not only that but in my honest opinion this hide is in a dire need of a upgrade. I understand that this would be a very costly job to do but I for one would be more than willing to donate my time and money to help this get off the ground. My second concern is that everyone needs to remember that these birds are afforded the highest level of protection this country can offer them. However, I have been in the hide before when when the kingfisher young have just fledged and within minutes there were people playing kingfisher vocalisations on their mobile phones trying to entice the birds out of the nearby trees. But what upsets me more about this was that there was a member of staff in the hide while all this was going on and he didn't say a word. It's horrible, not to mention illegal for anyone to be playing kingfisher vocalisations near a active nesting site. The other issue I would like to raise if that I visited Rye Meads this sunday just gone. I had arrived just before 10am and at 10am I went into the reserve. I decided to go straight to the kingfisher hide and work my way back. I didn't encounter one single person as I walked to the hide but by the time I got there, there was already four people in the hide. I do not understand how this is possible, considering that I arrived at 10am when the reserve opened and no overtook me on my way round.  

I don't want this post to be negative and I am truly sorry if it comes across this way. I love Rye Meads, it is like a second home to me. The first time I visited I joined the RSPB there and then. That was over three years ago now and I love it as much now as I did then. I go there most weekends and have grown to love the staff and wildlife there. It was never my intention to moan or be seen as negative but I like many others have serious concerns over the welfare of these birds.

I think one of the main problems, and I now others feel the same is the access times, now don`t get me wrong, I know their are staff and "volunteers'", but this is the only reserve that I know that opens at 10am, the pressure would be off if access could be gained for longer times, 10am is crazy, without good reason.

The works have only just been undertaken and a period of consolidation is the order of the day before any decisions are taken; we do not have any current plans for this area. Rest assured that the needs of the kingfishers and other wildlife, as well as visitors, are core to our work. For the last two years we have had five broods of kingfishers from two pairs on site, and successfully integrated this with up to 22,000 visitors to the reserve annually, many of whom are families, plus in excess of 3,000 children attending with schools. Rye Meads is unashamedly family-friendly - we want to inspire children to care about wildlife and aspire to protect it, and what better way than by seeing one of the UK's most stunning birds up close. To this end, our regular visitors will have noticed that to help people get the most out of their visit we have increased the number of live interpreters on site, both in hides and roving guides. Feedback has shown that these fabulous volunteers are greatly appreciated and enhance visits, and it is this aspect of our work particularly that I am looking to increase in relation to the kingfishers.

Joan

Bex, we would also love a bigger Kingfisher Hide - it's in the Management Plan and if you know anyone who could fund it, do let us know!

Because we have had people climbing on the banks to get closer to the kingfishers we have a hotline number on posters in the hide. This is the first I've head of people using tape lures in the hide, but if this happens again, or there are other issues, just call the number and a staff member will come immediately.

Joan