The thing to remember about Rye Meads is that the RSPB does not own the site, and we are just one of six partners who use it. We have a partnership agreement that outlines what we all can and can't do, and when, so that the partners can effectively work together on site. Like the balance between wildlife and people, sometimes this is a bit of a juggling act with compromises needed on all sides. These other users have keys and access agreements, just like the RSPB does, so if there are people on site before our visitors turn up then they will likely be our partners from one of five other organisations. Also, we have work parties of volunteers who work hard to help to manage the reserve on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and sometimes other days, and they make an early start so that any work that might disturb or affect visitors is done before you all arrive, so they will be on site on those days before visitors come in. As I write this, I can see our volunteers strimming the path edges.
The owners of the site require that this part of the reserve is only accessible to visitors when there is a staff member on site, which is why it is locked and fenced out of hours. The Wildlife Trust part of the reserve has open access so visitors can always get onto that half of the reserve no matter what the time of day. There are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. For our fenced site, we offer an extremely safe location where all visitors come through the visitor centre with one access point on and off. We know that families and lone walkers appreciate this feeling of safety. Also, it greatly reduces vandalism - you are probably aware that the Otter Hide on the Trust side has had to be removed due to persistent vandalism and arson.
We do run a number of out of hours activities - early opening mornings, VIP Kingfisher mornings, dawn choruses, evening activities etc. Please check on the web site and the blog for details of our events and watch out for our Big Wild Sleepout coming up in August.
Finally, disturbance of schedule 1 birds, like the kingfisher, is an offence no matter where the birds are nesting. The legislation applies just as much on a nature reserve as anywhere else.
I hope this helps answer some questions.
Thanks
Joan