Past Projects
The Friends commissioned two books about the Reserve:
See the Merchandise page for more details and where to buy.
Current Projects
Every month knowledgeable Friends’ volunteers spend a day in the Gooders Hide, showing members of the public the varied birdlife visible from the hide. There are binoculars and telescopes on hand for a closer look, and experts to explain what to look out for.
Some months, there will also be additional volunteers, with a telescope, outside the Discovery Centre.
Past Events
Today I had the pleasure of leading 21 Friends of Rye Harbour NR around Flat Beach to watch the newly arrived nesting birds and a couple of stopping migrants.
The number of Sandwich Terns now is slowly increasing to about 85 with 5 newly arrived Common Tern. Passing through on migration were three Bar-Tailed Godwits (2 in breeding plumage) and 2 Wheatear up near the river mouth. It was nice to see plenty of Terns bringing in fish from the Bay. Fingers crossed for a successful breeding year. Other birds of note were two Ruff and two Stonechat.
A great walk which is gaining popularity and remember all Friends are welcome!
James Tomlinson
Past Events
A fabulous start to the morning walk, so still that water perfectly mirrored the blue sky and birdsong rang out so clearly that a Mistle Thrush up at Coastguard Square could be heard right down by Nook Drain and the air over the saltmarsh was full of Skylarks. The calls of returning Avocets can be heard everywhere now everywhere now, while flocks of Dunlin and Ringed Plover are feeding hungrily before continuing their journey northwards. The closeness of the path to the edge of the Salt Pool gave us excellent views of these while three newly-arrived Little Ringed Plovers, scuttling along the edges to in flight allowed us to appreciate the features which distinguish them from Ringed Plovers.
While watching these waders we noticed small insectivorous migrants searching the turf: White Wagtail with a pure, pale grey back, an apricot-fronted Wheatear and a dazzling Yellow Wagtail.
Although some common birds were mysteriously missing, the variety is increasing, so that along this short route we found 56 species.
Past Events
Guide in a Hide is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund through Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT)
Discover Rye Harbour offers a range of community engagement activities, encouraging visitors to learn a little more about the special wildlife at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The Guide in a Hide activity involves a team of volunteers, made up mainly of Friends members, sharing telescopes and binoculars with visitors, to give really close up views of the birds on the reserve, and explain a little about their behaviour and migration routes.
The event has grown in popularity since it began in August 2021, and we have now engaged with over 3400 visitors!
On 19th February, in beautiful weather, we showed 233 visitors a good variety of waders and ducks but perhaps the best sounds and views came from beautiful Brent Geese and singing Skylark, which accompanied us all day.
It’s an absolute joy to be a part of the team of volunteers and from the feedback we received, our visitors enjoy it as much as we do!
Past Projects
The Friends provided the seed funding for the original Writer in Residence project. Our first WIR was award-winning nature poet Jane Lovell who organised monthly meetings to walk the reserve and to write about nature. The pilot project was so successful that the writing group produced an anthology of poetry and artwork, New Ways of Looking, inspired by the reserve. The book is on sale for £15 at the Discovery Centre and has proven so popular that it is already on its second print run.
The WIR project is now run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and our current WIR is Louise Kenward.
Past Projects
The Friends bought two new defibrillators for the reserve using funds from the 833 Lottery Club. One is kept in the Discovery Centre, the other is a mobile unit that travels out with work parties on the reserve.
Current Projects
We have been working hand in hand with the management team at the Discovery Centre to create a new focal point for local artists within the centre, which has so far raised over £4000 for the Reserve.
The new Art Wall was generously donated by committee member and wildlife artist James Tomlinson.
The wall has been carefully designed so it doesn’t affect the wood cladding of the centre but will provide a good and well-lit hanging space for artwork.
The Art Wall features work from well-known professional artists and from keen and talented amateurs, providing an ever-changing display of exciting nature-based art inspired by the Reserve.
Artists who have exhibited so far, include: Robert Greenhalf, Cliff Dean, James Tomlinson, Stephen Message, Peter Greenhalf, Anna Wilson Patterson, Annie Soudain, Robbie Gooders, Jillian Eldridge, Louisa Crispin, Jane Beecham, Siobhan O’Hanlan, Denise Franklin, Karl Terry, Joanna Terry
The Art Wall was refurbished in January 2024 ready for water colours by Kathleen Loughton-Mead and wildlife photography by Howard Kearley.
We hope you’ll drop in to see the exhibitions.
Exhibitors for the Art Wall have been booked in for the next 12 months, but you are welcome to apply to exhibit here. The criteria are that you are inspired by the reserve, or create artwork on, or about the reserve.
If you would like to exhibit, please download the Art Wall Application and FAQ, then complete and return your form to the Art Wall team at: avocetgallery@gmail.com or to the Discovery Centre marked “Art Wall”. (You can read the FAQs here).
If you are chosen to exhibit you will be sent an Artists’ Pack containing all the details you will need in order to exhibit.
Past Projects
The Trustees of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and the 833 Administration Team decided to close the 833 Lottery Club, with July 13th 2024 as the last draw. The Lottery was set up at the end of 2019 to raise funds for the development and ongoing management of the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre. Since that time the building has been finished and its management and activities firmly established.
We thank all the Lottery members for their generous support over almost 5 years.
Past Projects
The friends have funded five hides on the reserve, all of which are wheelchair accessible.