RSPB Rye Meads

31/08/2026

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

After 3 broods and (at least) 7 fledglings, we believe the Kingfishers have now finished breeding as they aren't going into the nest banks or hanging around at the hub anymore (although we have been wrong before). They are still being seen around the reserve though, with most sightings being at the Draper hide. They have also been seen at the Gadwall hide and the Kingfisher hub though, so they're continuing their tradition of keeping us guessing.

Photo by George Styles

30/08/2026

There was another contender for sighting of the year today when one of our regular visitors managed to see a Spotted Flycatcher just before the Kingfisher boardwalk. It could possibly be a passage migrant as they make their way back to Africa, and a great sighting!

Photo of a Spotted Flycatcher copyright RSPB / Philip Croft (not taken at the Rye Meads).

29/08/2026

Yesterday we had a Garganey drop in at the Tern hide, the good news is it appears to have stuck around today as well and is still being seen in the same place. We aren't sure if it's a female or male in eclipse as we haven't been able to go out and see it, but if you've seen it or got any pictures please share them below.

Pictures copyright RSPB / Mike Langman (picture 1 female Garganey, picture 2 male Garganey)

28/08/2026

Just a reminder that there will be some works carried out around the reserve today (Friday 28 August) which have been marked on the map below with a circle. Access to Draper will be restricted for a short while this morning and access routes to the Kingfisher hub will be affected later in the day but you will still be able to access the Kingfisher hub all day.

27/08/2026

Please be advised that there will be some works carried out around the reserve tomorrow (Friday 28 August) which have been marked on the map below with a circle. Access to Draper will be restricted for a short while in the morning and access routes to the Kingfisher hub will be affected later in the day (the Kingfisher hub will still be accessible as normal all day).

26/08/2026

Hold on to your hats because next week it’s the biggest event of the first Wednesday of the month (at Rye Meads anyway), our Wednesday Wander! Join Mel on a gentle walk around the reserve as he tells you all about the flora and fauna of Rye Meads. It’s great for the whole family and anyone, no matter what your level is everyone is welcome. For more information and to secure your tickets, follow the link below:

Join one of our volunteers on the first Wednesday of each month for an informal guided walk around RSPB Rye Meads and witness the diversity of wildlife that cal

25/08/2026

Sometimes it's nice to have a little bike ride rather than taking the car. The good news is that we have bike parking at the reserve and even better news, we have bike locks that you can borrow for free if you forget yours. So why not dust it off and head over where you can enjoy nature and have a well deserved ice cream (or two). If you'd like to borrow a lock, speak to one of the team in the Visitor Centre.

24/08/2026

We’ve had a busy weekend with visitors and Kingfisher activity! On Friday it looked like it was all starting to slow down with the Kingfishers only being seen a couple of times. Then on Saturday morning our early morning visitors saw one of the chicks fledge but the adults were still taking fish into the nest hole so it looked like there may be more to come. Then on Sunday we had a report that another had fledged, again earlier in the morning. Activity then started to slow down as they took the fledgling around the side, out of sight. So we’re currently up to 7 fledged chicks from this year’s adults.

Photo by George Styles

23/08/2026

Next time you visit have a look at the pylon in the car park and that looks over the Lapwing meadow as we have a new sentinel watching over us in the shape of a Kestrel. There were a couple of times today that there was one sitting on the pylon in the meadow and, as usual, it flew off before we could get a picture (hence the picture of the top of the pylon as that's where it was). Yesterday we also had one jumping around on the pylon in the car park, so don't forget to check that one too.

22/08/2026

We were sat in the Visitor Centre today and one of the Rye Meads Ringing Group came in and asked if we wanted to see a Whinchat. Of course we said ABSOLUTELY!! This stunning bird isn't a regular sighting at the reserve but even when they are seen it is very far away and you don't get to see them this close where you can really see their incredible markings. Luckily our volunteer, Lauren, got plenty of pictures of it so we can share them with you and another huge thank you to the Rye Meads Ringing Group for showing us.