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!