Kingfisher Hub Guidance - 2023

It’s that time of year again, the Kingfisher breeding season will soon be here!

Last year was another successful year for the reserve with two active pairs once again. At the Kingfisher Hub, the male was quickly put in his place by a very assertive female, leading to three successful broods. Although they took a little while to get going, once the first brood hatched, there was a short crossover with the second - so short that they hatched a week before we were expecting! A third followed in late August, and although hints of breeding activity were seen very late into an unseasonably warm year, we didn’t have a magical fourth brood.

At the Draper Hide there was a lot of interesting behaviour, with many conflicting reports on exactly what was going on. Nature is definitely unpredictable! At one point there appeared to be three adults, and possibly some of the juveniles who had fledged from the Hub, which may have caused some disruption for a while. However, we did confirm two successful broods from the Draper bank, and it looks as though both pairs of adults were fit and healthy at the end of the season too, so fingers crossed for 2023!

In 2022 we implemented a set of measures for the Kingfisher Hub, designed to allow fair use and access to all, regardless of the reason for their visit or when they arrive. The response to these requirements was overwhelmingly positive with good feedback from both our regular kingfisher viewing community and first-time visitors. We will therefore be implementing them again in 2023, with a few modifications and clarifications in response to the feedback received throughout last season.

The measures in place are designed to allow as many people as possible to see and learn about our kingfishers, and to ensure equal opportunities to all our visitors. As we saw in 2022, placing a time and capacity limit in busy periods when Kingfishers make frequent visits to the breeding bank allows more people to have the best view possible throughout the day. Like last year, we would encourage our kingfisher viewing community to support each other by making sure everyone can have the time and space they are entitled to, giving up seats after the allowed time restriction, and communicating when kingfishers were last seen. We are grateful to all of you last year who supported and helped to carry out these measures and trust that you will continue to do so as a community this year.

We are also aiming to create a team of volunteers to act as Kingfisher Hub Hosts, to be present at the Hub during the breeding season, providing support and informing visitors about the Kingfishers’ activity, breeding cycle and conservation. If you would be interested in supporting us in this role or any other volunteering at Rye Meads, please visit volunteer.rspb.org.uk

From 1^st March 2023, the following will apply until further notice:

• Max of 25 visitors allowed in the Hub at any one time, including 15 in the photographers/birdwatchers section and 10 in the family area.
• Time restrictions will be in place and will be communicated through signage at the Hub, visitor centre and on social media; 2 hours standard time per visitor and 30-60 mins at busy times.
• Please adhere to the displayed maximum limits to ensure fair and equal access to every visitor, and vacate your seat for the next person when required
• Rye Meads staff reserve the right to adjust maximum times at the Hub to ensure a fair viewing experience for all. Any changes will be communicated to you at the visitor centre and displayed at the Hub.

Please do:

• Queue outside the Hub to gain entry if required
• Talk to each other! But remember to keep noise levels low and your phones on silent
• Ensure there is always room for three people to use each bench
• Use hide clamps or monopods if you are using a telescope or large camera at the benches
• Remember that the toilet facilities are located a short walk away at the visitor centre
• Remember to take your rubbish and your belongings with you when you leave
• Ensure you are respectful and courteous to staff, volunteers and other visitors to allow fair and equal access to the Kingfisher Hub

Please do not:

• Move the benches
• Take up bench space with bags or equipment
• Play recordings of bird calls – this may disrupt breeding patterns and is a criminal offence
• Smoke or drop cigarettes in and around the Kingfisher Hub or elsewhere on the reserve

All visitors must abide by these requirements and the code of conduct displayed or they may be asked to vacate the hub, or in extreme cases will be asked to leave the reserve

We will once again be running a series of VIP kingfisher events through the breeding season offering exclusive out of hours access and use of the low-level photography slots. We time these events to coincide with peak activity from the kingfishers and therefore can’t predict dates in advance, so keep any eye on our social media and website for dates and booking information.

We look forward to seeing you in the 2023 season, fingers crossed for plenty of action.