Rye Harbour – Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Talk 08 March 2025

Members of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve had a fantastic talk on Saturday 8^th 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

Past Events

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.

Past Events

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.

Past Events

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!

Past Events

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!

Past Events

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.

Past Events

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.

giah

06 December – Guide in a Hide

Saturday 6th December 10.00 AM – 3.00 PM

Drop in to the Gooders hide between the car park and the sea where there will be guides stationed throughout the day to show you the birds. Binoculars, telescopes and spotter sheets available for you to use. There will also be guides outside the Discovery Centre.

Suitable for all.

400m walk towards the sea from  Rye Harbour car park, TN31 7TY

No booking necessary

giah