Guide in a Hide 21 July 2024

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.

Guide in a Hide 25 May 2024

A very strong and deceptively cold wind did not deter the visitors to our Guide in a Hide day today. We welcomed 136 adults and a whopping 58 children. 35 species of birds were seen through telescopes and binoculars.

The stars of the day, right outside Gooders hide, were four gorgeous Avocet chicks. Just a few days old, they were already sweeping their beaks through the water to feed themselves. It’s amazing isn’t it?

Thank you to everyone who came along. The guides are always thrilled when children are so interested in seeing the birds, like Ruthie and little Harry here.

Guide in a Hide 30 March 2024

It was a sunny Guide in a Hide event on Easter Saturday, and there were many birds to show our 245 visitors.

A total of 40 species of birds included a variety of ducks, waders and gulls, newly arrived swallows and Sandwich Terns but most excitement was caused by a White Stork flyover (probably one of the re-introduced birds from the Knepp Estate).

Thanks to everyone who came along, we really enjoyed meeting you and showing you the birds.

The next Guide in a Hide event is on 27 April, 10am – 3pm.

Guide in a Hide 25 February 2024

Guide in a Hide (GIAH) is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by the National Lottery Fund through Sussex Wildlife trust (SWT).

Another terrific GIAH day today, with plenty of birds to show our visitors! Thank you to 153 people who came along and braved the cold wind.

There were hundreds of birds on flat beach today, and we were able to show visitors 37 different species, of which 300 Golden Plover, 350 Dunlin, 60 Grey Plover and 40 Avocet were among the many highlights.

Thank you so much for coming along, we do enjoy telling you all about the birds and reading your lovely feedback!

Look forward to seeing you next time, Easter Saturday, 30th March, 10am until 3pm.

Guide in a Hide 28 January 2024

Guide in a Hide (GIAH) is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by the National Lottery Fund through Sussex Wildlife trust (SWT).

A most welcome sunny day at last for our Guide in a Hide event today, and visitors were plentiful!

Over 220 people came along and were treated to close views of many birds. 42 species were seen today with the Spoonbill taking centre stage once again. A Peregrine Falcon caused a stir, a Grey Heron just stood still, watching us and the incoming tide, the 300+ Pintail looked stunningly elegant and two close Redshank made the children laugh as they chased each other around.

Thank you to everyone who came along! Next event is 25 February 10am until 3pm. See you there…

Guide in a Hide 29 December 2023

Guide in a Hide (GIAH) is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by the National Lottery Fund through Sussex Wildlife trust (SWT).

My goodness, our guides in the hide were busy today! 132 people came along in just three hours; many locals and many visitors from London and Kent.

It was wonderful to show people large numbers of our winter ducks like Pintail, Wigeon and Teal, and it was amazing that 70-80 Brent Geese could almost hide themselves in the saltmarsh. Other highlights were Spoonbill, Red-breasted Merganser and a Peregrine flying through. Fast!

We met some lovely people today. Thank you so much for coming along – your interest in the wildlife and smiles when you see it really make it all worthwhile!

See you next year!

Guide in a Hide 17 Dec 2023

Guide in a Hide (GIAH) is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by the National Lottery Fund through Sussex Wildlife trust (SWT).

111 people came along to Guide in a Hide to see some birds; it was great to meet you!
William enjoyed some one-to-one bird watching with Christine and then Evie joined in too!
Trudi showed us some excellent skill with her little binoculars and really enjoyed ticking 13 birds off of her checklist.
Visitors enjoyed close views of Redshank, Skylark, Linnet, Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch. And, as the tide started to come in, Grey Plover, Knot, Oystercatcher and many Dunlin flew in to join the many winter ducks.
Our last Guide in a Hide of the year is on 29th December. You will find us in and around Gooders Hide from 10am until 1pm. Please note the time change.

Guide in a Hide 18 Nov 2023

Guide in a Hide (GIAH) is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by the National Lottery Fund through Sussex Wildlife trust (SWT).

Despite the awful weather forecast, a group of intrepid SWT volunteers who are all members of The Friends, braved the wind and the rain to show any visible birdlife to 26 members of the public visiting the Discovery Centre and the Gooders Hide.

Following recent vandalism, the Gooders Hide no longer has a door, and as the windows had been left open overnight, it was as wet inside as outside!

Despite curtailing the event early due to the conditions, 25 species of birds were recorded, including a Spoonbill.