giah
Saturday 15th February 10.00 AM – 3.00 PM
Drop in to the Gooders hide between the car park and the sea where there will be guides stationed throughout the day to show you the birds. Binoculars, telescopes and spotter sheets available for you to use.
Suitable for all.
400m walk towards the sea from Rye Harbour car park, TN31 7TY
No booking necessary
giah
Saturday 18th January 10.00 AM – 3.00 PM
Drop in to the Gooders hide between the car park and the sea where there will be guides stationed throughout the day to show you the birds. Binoculars, telescopes and spotter sheets available for you to use.
Suitable for all.
400m walk towards the sea from Rye Harbour car park, TN31 7TY
No booking necessary
Walks
Walk – Distance 8km, 4 hours. Meet at the car park at 9am.
Walks
Walk – Distance 6km, 3 hours. Meet at the car park at 9am.
Past Events
Volunteer guides were on Rye Harbour Nature Reserve yesterday, sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm, binoculars and telescopes!
At least 133 people stopped by to chat, excited that we had had at least three sightings of our star bird, the Osprey. Many people walked away looking up at the sky, out to sea and all around to try and spot it. It was terrific!
In all, we saw 39 species of birds. Apart from the Osprey, the feeding frenzy of Sandwich Terns and Gannets in the river mouth towards the end of the day were highlights.
Thanks to everyone who came along, we enjoyed meeting you!
Past Events
The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve had a pretty good day on Sunday!
The Guide in an Hide event at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve was another great success! In and around Gooders hide the team welcomed more than 120 visitors, who were treated to up close and personal views of over 30 different birds.
Meanwhile, at Scots Float sluice other members of the Friends were supporting VolkerStevin as they kindly opened up their doors to show off their new sea defence track to the Union Channel. Visitors were treated to refreshments while they were shown an interesting video about their important sea defence work along a huge stretch of the river. Visitors commented “Very worthwhile and enjoyable visit thanks, now much better informed about what’s going on there! Can’t wait to see it again when finished, and again when as it ‘matures’” and “great to be able to ask the staff questions…. I felt everyone enjoyed it!”
The Friends team of guides took visitors to and fro from Scots Float to the Union Channel where visitors had wonderful views of Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Redshank and Kingfisher, and enjoyed many Swallow and Sand Martin flying low over the water to the beautiful sounds of a Yellowhammer.
The Friends really enjoyed being part of this bird-watching partnership and would like to say a huge thanks to VolkerStevin for their hospitality and enthusiasm in making it such a fun and interesting day for all.
Talks
Saturday 14th June 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.
Presented by Tessa Boase a writer and social historian living in Hastings.
When social historian Tessa Boase told the RSPB she wanted to write their early story, they refused to let her visit their archives. To a former investigative journalist, this was a challenge she could not resist.
This talk brings to life the mighty Victorian and Edwardian plumage trade – and the brave eco-feminists who fought back on behalf of the birds. Their leader was Hythe-born Etta Lemon, the passionate and pioneering conservationist who built the early RSPB, but was not remembered by history. What were her campaign tactics, and what is her legacy?
These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.
Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st May.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.
Talks
Saturday 10th May 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.
Ellie Holly is a qualified and experienced Medical Herbalist. She will start with a brief introduction to herbal medicine, and then go onto talk about a range of common UK weeds which have a long history of use as medicines.
Ellie will cover their medicinal properties and how to use them in herbal teas, topical applications, and cooking. Plants covered would include nettle leaves, dandelions, ribwort plantain, lemon balm, yarrow and hawthorn.
These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.
Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st April.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.
Talks
Saturday 12th April 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.
An in-depth and interactive look at this important part of our local history and landscape presented by Michael Steed.
Michael read history and land economy at Cambridge and has developed an interest in the Royal Military Canal, its history and importance.
These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.
Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st May.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.
Talks
Saturday 8th March 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.
Terry Hallahan from the Sussex Barn Owl Group will be talking about these engaging birds.
These talks are for members of The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve only. There is no charge, though donations are gratefully accepted. If you are not a member of The Friends but would like to attend, please JOIN US and let us know.
Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st February.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.