Talks – Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

12 June – Rye Community Resilience (REACT)

Saturday 12th June 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Find out how REACT came about and what they have been involved with in recent years, plus how this affects you.
Colonel Anthony Kimber has led the voluntary community resilience team (REACT) in Rye for several years. His illustrated talk explains how REACT came about and some of the events that have involved the organisation in recent years.

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 the first of the month before the talk.
Please note that dogs (except for pre-booked assistance dogs for those with sight impairment) are NOT allowed at talks.

08 May – The Rother Levels

Saturday 8th May 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Melvin Smith, known to many from Iden Natural History Society has had a lifelong interest in wildlife. In this talk about the Rother Levels he explores the wildlife, scenery and history of this fascinating area.

He goes back in time to when the river was a highway for trade, and comes up to date with a look at some of the colourful Insects, Wild Flowers and Birdlife. Including a sequence on Kingfishers.

10 April – Strandliners. What we are and what…

Saturday 10th April 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Andy Dinsdale from Strandliners will talk to us about the important work that this organisation undertakes.

13 March – Bee keeping and bees in Sussex

Saturday 13th March 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Aimi Rifat, from the wilder education team at RHNR used to be a professional bee-keeper. Come and find out more about bee-keeping and wild bees.

13 February – Q & A about ‘The Marsh,…

Saturday 13th February 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Annie Soudain’s book of this title began as a lockdown project for her grandchildren and covered the period from early childhood to the publication in 2024. She will focus on her career since arriving in Pett Level, where she was able to work regularly with space and wonderful surroundings. In conversation with Cliff Dean, Annie will discuss her themes drawn from the local landscape, how she came to them and what they mean to her.

09 January – In Winter’s Light

Saturday 9th January 2027 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Colin Page will take us on a winter journey through the lens of his camera.
Enjoy stunning images, many of which will be close-ups, detailing the beauty of the natural world in winter.

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 the first of the month before the talk.
Please note that dogs (except for pre-booked assistance dogs for those with sight impairment) are NOT allowed at talks.

12 December – Breeding Birds of Rye Harbour

A look at how the breeding birds of Rye Harbour fared in 2026

Saturday 12 December 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants have been contracted to complete breeding bird surveys of many of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve’s important species, including waders, terns and egrets. Come and hear about the results.

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 November.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

14 November – Finding and Identifying Lichens in East…

Saturday 14th November 2026 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Keith Palmer will enlighten us as to the lichens that can to be found in local neighbourhoods including within Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and will demonstrate the diversity of the lichen flora of the county.

The talk will be illustrated by copious photographs of many species while the basic biology of lichens and the diverse characteristics they show will be covered though the focus will be on fairly common and conspicuous lichens.

Having been a naturalist since the mid-1960s, Keith arrived at lichens in the mid-80s. A one-time member of the British Lichen Society he surveyedover the next decade almost all churchyards in Kent where he then lived and a good many in Sussex, creating lists from over a thousand sites. While his main natural history interests have moved on in the present century, he retains an affection for lichens which after all do keep still while you are trying to study them at close quarters and, what’s more, can continue to be studied during the winter !

Limited places are available and booking for members of The Friends will open at 8.00am on 1st October.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.