Talk 08 March 2025

Members of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve had a fantastic talk on Saturday 8th March by Terry Hallahan, who is one of the leaders of the Sussex Barn Owl Group. The talk ‘Barn Owls and Barn Owls in Sussex’ was in two parts: the first covering interesting facts about the Barn Owl, plus it’s demise and more recent upsurge; the second part covering the activities of the Barn Owl Group who are committed to preservation and protection of Sussex’s Barn Owl population.

Amazingly, Barn Owls are the world’s most widely distributed land bird, and with 35 subspecies, they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Unfortunately, we are at one of their northern extremes and in some years, they struggle in our climate. Unable to hunt in wet weather, they need excellent habitat in which to find plentiful food when it is dry. In addition to the lack of habitat, and nesting sites proving challenging for them, road traffic collisions are a major problem accounting for the deaths of between 3000 and 5000 Barn Owls each year. This equates to about 65% of all reported fatalities.

To counteract the loss of traditional nesting sites, the Barn Owl Group puts up boxes and it is now estimated over 90% of Barn Owls are using boxes. This has helped to increase their numbers over the last few years.

In addition to installing boxes at suitable locations, the Barn Owl Group works with landowners and undertakes considerable monitoring, ringing and conservation activities.

They are always looking for help, donations and sponsorship. For more information see https://www.sos.org.uk/archives/5869 or email info@sussexbarnowlgroup.org

Walk 23 February 2025

Around mid-February, the wheel turns as northward migration and breeding behaviour become visible. As ten of us assembled in the car park, small birds were dashing about and songs were coming from the adjacent scrub and gardens. The sky was clear, the temperature mild and so, in spite of the muddy paths, we decided to venture over to Castle Water.

On the factory roofs, gulls were already stationed ready for nesting: mostly Herring but also a few Great & Lesser Black-backed, and we could hear Great Tits singing from all directions, more than usual attracted to feeders placed by an employee. From the recently re-opened Viewpoint, we admired the stream of silver-headed Cormorants moving from the bay to their nesting trees, the site of a chorus of hoarse crooning and growling, as a spectacular pair of Marsh Harriers cruised past. Reed Buntings had begun to sing from the lake edges as single Grey Heron, Little & Great Egret moved across the reeds and a good variety of ducks bobbed on the water.

During the last week, the crowds of northbound Common & Black-headed Gulls which speckle pastures across our area have been joined by the signature bird of spring: Mediterranean Gull. Though most stick closer to the coast but we did see a few flying over and once heard the distinctive call.

From the Halpin Hide, we had good views of Gadwall, Little Grebe, Mallard, Pochard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal & Tufted Duck on the water as Cormorants, weighed down with sticks, headed to their island nests. Flocks of Lapwings & Fieldfares moved across in front of the industrial area, a pair of Buzzards circled overhead and a Cetti’s Warbler sang half-heartedly.

Out on the fields sat a large flock of roosting Great Black-backed Gulls and the Canada & Greylag Geese  were accompanied by a few hybrids – brown-faced Canadas and a Big White Goose, one of at least four in the area. From the castle battlements, a Raven watched us, reinforcing its territorial credentials with a few minor aerobatics.

On this 4th Sunday longer walk of about 4 miles, we found 59 bird species. Please be aware that the paths from the village towards Camber Castle are quite muddy and slippery at the moment.

The next Friends’ walk – a shorter one around Flat Beach – will take place on Saturday March 8th. Meet in the car park at 9am.

Guide in a Train 20 February 2025

A second superb day with members of our Guide in a Hide team helping on the the Kent & East Sussex Heritage Railway steam train. 

Although the morning started very misty with poor visibility, we were able to enjoy the beautiful views for the train as it chugged along.

The train was filled to capacity, with many grandparents looking after their grandchildren for the day. 

24 different birds were seen. It was amazing to hear passengers announcing their own sightings out loud to the rest of the carriage!

Highlights of the day were a Red Kite, seen by the train’s historian, a Marsh Harrier, several Buzzards, a Kestrel and a Green Woodpecker.

Again, our thanks to https://kesr.org.uk/ for inviting us to join in with their venture. It was a pleasure to help. 

Guide in a Train 18 February 2025

This February half term has once again seen Guide in a Hide volunteers from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve become ‘Guides in a Train’ on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. These old steam trains running between Tenterden and Bodiam  are  a fantastic part of our heritage and a wonderful way to see the amazing Kent and East Sussex countryside. 

For these ‘Birdwatching specials’, children had been given birding activity sheets and many enjoyed using the sheets and spotting birds out of the train window. We had brought several pairs of binoculars with us and the children loved using these.

We saw an amazing 24 different species of birds including a lovely Red Kite –  spotted by one of the young birders on the train, also Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Great, Little and Cattle Egrets plus many Lapwing and a variety of gulls and other species.

Many of the children (and adults!) were very enthusiastic and pleased with how many birds can be seen through a train window. The help from the guides really seemed to be appreciated and the journeys were enjoyed by all. 

Thank you to Kent and East Sussex Railway for putting on this event and being party to inspiring both current and potential young birders. Maybe we will be seeing some of you at Guide in a Hide at RHNR!

Guide in a Hide 15 February 2025

Another wonderful Guide in a Hide event today with 172 people coming along and enjoying loads of birds and a wonderful high tide.

The birds whirled around all day. Sometimes it was difficult to see why, sometimes it was excitingly obvious; a Peregrine falcon caused mayhem, a Merlin caused panic and a Marsh Harrier caused a bit less of both!

The guides really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm and excitement of our visitors. One lady was delighted to see a Merlin for the first time.

Thanks to everyone who came along. It was a joy to meet you and show you the birds!

Talk 08 February 2025

This Friends‘ talk, ‘The history of Rye Harbour Farm, Castle Farm and Pett Level, over the last 150 years’ was given by Frank Langrish, a well-known local farmer, renowned for his sheep rearing.

Presented in chronological order, we found out many interesting facts about Romney Marsh itself, plus life and farming on the marsh. As the Marsh is defined as being the land that is on the sea side of the Royal Military Canal between Pett Level and Hythe, stretching as far inland as Appledore, the area is huge and includes Pett level and areas around Rye. Frank feels strongly that it is the farming and the people that have created the habitat and landscape, and that is why a very large area of the land is now designated as SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), SPA (Special Protection Area) and RAMSAR (Wetland Site Under Special Protection).

The marsh can be an inhospitable place and many techniques were employed by farmers in order to succeed. The wool and meat trade was at one point very valuable and before WW2 sheep rearing was the main type of farming on the marsh, with around half a million sheep on the marsh. Now there are only about 20,000.

Frank spoke in length about the area around Camber Castle and Castle farm, which his father bought in 1978 ‘lock, stock and barrel’. There have been huge changes over the last 150 years and Frank was able to bring this period to life for us. All in all this was a very interesting talk.

Guide in a Hide 18 January 2025

In spite of the very cold and murky weather, 125 visitors came along and most were treated to the spectacle of over 3000 Golden Plover, 1200 Lapwing and 250 Dunlin continually whirling around in the air. 500 Oystercatchers, however, preferred to save energy by staying put, huddled together to keep warm. The long staying Spoonbills gave one visitor his first ever sighting.

Here are a few of the volunteer Guide in a Hide team.

Talk 14 December 2024

The December talk was a little different, in that it was a compilation of three short talks. These were presented by members of the Rye Harbour History group and each illustrated talk reflected a different aspect of local history.

The topics were:

  1. The Coast Blockade at Rye Harbour – deterring smuggling in the 19th century through the writing of an officer – presented by Angie Perkins.
    • Smuggling was such a huge operation in the 18th and 19th centuries that the government felt they had go to enormous lengths to curb the ’ trade’ along a lengthy stretch of the south coast and between 1817 and 1831 a coastal blockade was put in place. This talk gave us a personal insight into this blockade through the writing of a Naval officer.
  2. Old Winchelsea, a town lost to the sea in 1287 – presented by David Dennis.
    • Old Winchelsea, a large, vibrant port and shipbuilding town had been built upon a spit of land in Rye Bay. Very vulnerable to severe weather, coastal erosion and the changing coastline the town was eventually lost to the sea during a severe storm in 1287. David looked at what is known about this town and helped to bring it to life for the audience.
  3. History in Photographs – The Mary Stanford Lifeboat disaster of 1928 – presented by Roy Brigden.
    • The Mary Stanford disaster was a tragic incident that never should have happened. All 17 lifeboat men lost their lives and this would have affected every household in the village of Rye Harbour. Putting out to sea in appalling weather to rescue a boat that was already safe by the time the lifeboat was launched, would seem unthinkable these days, however communications were very different in 1928. Through old Photographs Roy explained how the disaster unfolded and the aftermath. However, to this day no one knows what exactly happened to cause the death of all those on board.

All were very interesting, lavishly illustrated and providing an insight into a different era.

An excellent afternoon was had by all.

Talk 09 November 2024

Special Breeding Birds of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (RHNR) by Dr. Barry Yates

Our planned talk by James Duncan from the SWT on ‘The Wonders of Migration’ had to be postponed, but instead The Friends were treated to a talk by the retired RHNR manager, and current chairman of the Friends Committee, Dr Barry Yates.

Barry spoke to us about the ‘Special Breeding Birds of RHNR ‘and we found out just how important RHNR is for many threatened species. A large proportion of Sussex’s breeding Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern and Marsh Harriers – to name just a few, make RHNR their home for the summer and raise (or attempt to raise) young here. Life is very difficult for these birds and Barry highlighted some of the difficulties faced by these birds, and the importance of measures like electric fences (great, but expensive) to help prevent predation and lack of disturbance whilst breeding. Food supply in the sea and in their breeding habitat on the reserve is another problem many birds face. Birds like Sandwich Tern are able to travel up to 12-km out and along the coast to find food and still frequently struggle to find sufficient food for their chicks. The highly vulnerable Little Tern can only travel 1-km and if there is not sufficient food close by in the sea the chicks can easily starve.

All in all an extremely interesting talk, and the importance of our reserve not just for Sussex, but for the whole of the UK should not be underestimated.

Guide in a Hide 02 November 2024

On a pleasant but slightly chilly day, we engaged with at least 165 Adults and 32 youngsters.

Gooders Hide

The highlights at the Gooders hide were three Spoonbill, two Avocet, and the large flocks of Golden Plover and Oystercatchers, plus a superb male Marsh Harrier going over, causing pandemonium amongst everything on flat beach – disturbance for the birds, but quite a sight for those watching.

Many of the visitors were unfamiliar with the birds on the Reserve and very appreciative of the help provided by the Guides. Youngsters very quickly get the hang of looking through binoculars and telescopes and finding new birds to see.

There were also some challenging questions, including a child of four or five years old asking whether the one-legged Avocet would find as much food as the two-legged Avocet!

The Guides appreciate the opportunity to inspire the visitors, especially the younger ones, to gain a better understanding of the natural world.