13 December – A Guide to British Deer

13 December – A Guide to British Deer

Saturday 13th December 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Ian Rumley-Dawson, past chairman of The Friends of RHNR and renowned speaker, will give us an insight into all the species of deer regularly found in the British Isles, paying special attention to those we may encounter in Sussex.

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.

08 November – The Role and Responsibilities of HM Coastguard

08 November – The Role and Responsibilities of HM…

Saturday 8th November 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

David Dunlop from HM Coast guard will look at the role of HMCG nationally, but with especial reference to Rye Bay. He will also look at how that role, structure and working practice has developed and changed over the last 50 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 1st October.
Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs that have been pre-booked) are not allowed at talks.

11 October – The Hastings Rarities: Ornithological fraud, that probably never was

11 October – The Hastings Rarities: Ornithological fraud, that…

Saturday 11th October 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Presented by Pat Morris.

In 1962 it was alleged there had been too many rare birds reported from around Hastings. A local taxidermist was accused of fraud and 500 records were deleted from ornithological history. This has been uncritically accepted but ornithologists could have been seriously misled.

Pat Morris is a zoologist, best known for studies of mammals, but with a lifelong interest in the history of taxidermy. For over 40 years he has been troubled by the clumsy way this issue has been treated. Careful study of the arguments, and critical examination of the apparently indisputable statistical analysis, reveals a tale of prejudice and misrepresentation.

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

13 September – Nature’s Design: Through the Photographic Eye

13 September – Nature’s Design: Through the Photographic Eye

Saturday 13th September 2025 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Well known and long-standing Friend of RHNR Colin Page will be sharing his passion for light and the joy of photography, showing us fleeting moments of spontaneity in birds, plants, fungi and geology.

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

09 August – The Wonders of Bird Migration

09 August – The Wonders of Bird Migration

Saturday 10th August 2024 1.30pm – 3pm at the Discovery Centre.

Presenter: James Duncan

Birds are without doubt the planet’s ultimate travellers, with approximately half the UK species migrating each year. Some may not go far, yet others undertake truly epic feats of stamina and endurance, crossing oceans, mountains and continents. But how do they do it? Why do they do it? And how has this behaviour come about? Come to our talk and find out.

Well known to many at RHNR, James has been a passionate birder (and all-round naturalist) since childhood.

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