If you've visited Rye Meads recently, you will see we have had lots of work done to the reedbed visible from the Ashby Hide. This is to increase the number of pools and edge in the reedbed which will improve it for wildlife. We also want to cut it using a mechanical Truxor rather than by hand (reedbeds have to be cut otherwise they dry out and scrub up). Cutting by hand means draining the reedbed which damages fish stocks, so cutting mechanically will again be beneficial to wildlife.
A Truxor is a large bit of kit and to get it into the reedbed we have had to create access which needed plenty of material for bridges and bunds which we have taken from the bank behind the Kingfisher Hide and from the bank by the Draper Hide. It all looks new and raw at the moment, like any works on a reserve, but it will all settle down soon particularly as things start to grow in spring and summer.
The improvements in the reedbed should also make it easier to view into it to spot wildlife. You can see into the reedbed all the way along the path, and from the elevated position at the top of the ramp to the Tern and Gadwall Hides, where we have added a seat, so the viewing slot didn't add anything.
When the kingfishers nest at Rye Meads we want to make sure that the birds are not disturbed while ensuring visitors get great views of these amazing birds. Last year we had people climbing the bund in an attempt to get closer to the birds, and also visitors frequently commented that they didn't get good views of the kingfishers because people weren't vacating seats to let others get a good view. We hope to take advantage of the fact that the area behind the Kingfisher Hide has been cleared by having more of a staff and volunteer presence there whenever we can - that will help to ensure the welfare of the birds and to help everyone get good views as well as being able to interpret to visitors what the kingfishers are doing.
All the staff and volunteers are passionate about Rye Meads, its wildlife and its visitors; sometimes it's a juggling act to balance the needs of both!
It's a great time to visit Rye Meads as the spring migrants arrive back and we hope that you will continue to support our work.
Joan
Joan Childs, Site Manager