Good afternoon,
How are you?
I'm very excited to tell you that the kingfishers at the Kingfisher hide have hatched! The adults were spotted taking fish into the bank!
It's a good time to see the kingfishers as the adults will be in and out of the bank every few minutes taking the hungry babies food!
I know everyone want to see kingfishers, so it can get quite busy in the hide... So please be nice and budge up if you are in the kide for a while and let someone else have a look!
This lovely picture is of one of the Rye Meads kingfishers, taken by visitor Peter Hewitt
If you would like the amazing opportunity to see kingfishers (and all the other lovely wildlife at the reserve) before our opening times have a read of this:
Rye Meads nature reserve is opening early for 10 lucky people on Sunday 8 July from 7-10 am, this opportunity for RSPB members only (or join on the day) will give you exclusive use of the reserve, including all the hides.
The kingfishers at the Kingfisher Hide have hatched, so you should get stunning views as the adults are taking fish into the bank every ten minutes or so!
Ideal for early morning bird watchers, photographers and families!
RSPB members we love you! You make sure that the RSPB's work continues, so this opportunity is just for you, to say thank you!
Book early as there are only 10 spaces! This fabulous deal, which includes free tea and coffee, is only £30 per person! Book and pay in advance. We are sorry but we are unable to return your money in the event of cancellation or bad weather. If kingfisher activity changes I'll let you know!
Hi everyone,
Over the last week the kestrels up at the Kingfisher hide have been showing off amazingly! Andy, one of our Roving Reserve Guides, even told me that over the weekend of Friday 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June the kestrels were even out shining the kingfishers!
Over the weekend the 5 young kestrels in the box were showing off nicely, and were lookinglike they might fledging soon!
Have a look at these lovely pictures by Geoff Harries -
Can you see the five babies peaking out?
Feeding time!
In this picture one of the babies is stretching its wings... Fledging time soon?
Keep your eyes out!
Hello!
Joan Childs, our Site Manager, (see an interview with Joan here) had identified a hoverfly that I wanted to show you.
This is Orthonevra nobilis - a first record for the reserve! The are quite wide spread but they are declining.
All pictures by Joan!
Hi all,
Just thought I would let you know about the kingfishers - as I know that is what everybody like to see!
Well, the pair at the Gadwall hide are still feeding young, we have had lovely views recently. Keep an eyey out as they have been investigating other holes - so they could be getting ready for another brood!
The pair at the Kingfisher hide are still sitting on eggs. When they are incubating we will only see them every two to three hours as they do a change over... both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm so one will be out fishing while the other is incubating. After a few hours the fishing adult will come back to the bank and call ("Honey, I'm home!"), the incubating adult will leave the nest to fish and let the other take their turn.They will be incubating for about 19-21 days. When the young have hatched is a good time to see the adults as they will be in and out every 10-30 minutes bringing in fish to the hungryu babies - so keep an eye on here I will let you know what's happening! Kingfisher picture by Peter Hewitt
Hello everyone,
How are you today? I hope that you are well.
I've been away for a couple of days, so I thought I would let you know what waders Joan (our Site Manager) spotted over the weekend!
Keep your eyes pealed at the Draper hide as there were a couple of oystercatchers mating! I love oystercatchers, they are fabulous birds! As well as the oystercatchers there were two green sandpipers, two lapwings, one redshank and loads of ducks (pochard, tufted duck, gadwall, mallard, and even six shelduck!)
This is what they look like:
Oystercatcher
Green sandpiper
Lapwing
Redshank