Skip navigation
Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

PreviousNext

Weather today

24°C

Map of Rye Meads
Where is it?
View map
Right, let's go...
Plan a visit
Kingfisher hovering over streamCommon tern hovering above water for fishSpring at Rye Meads nature reserve
Children playing in grass, RSPB Rye Meads nature reserveSpeckled wood butterfly on nettle leafCommon darter dragonfly
Snipe camouflaged at edge of reedsFieldfares eating hawthorn berriesYellow autumn birch leaves
Frosty leavesMale tufted duck on lakeBacklit reeds at Lee Valley

Wildlife awards

Rye Meads is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. Look out for the beautiful kingfishers as they try to raise a family
  2. Can you spot the first common terns arriving at Rye Meads?
  3. Listen for birds, especially warblers, singing all around the reserve

Top things to do in Summer

  1. Look in the dappled light for speckled wood butterflies
  2. Try to spot common darter dragonflies patrolling up and down their territories
  3. While enjoying a stroll, listen out for the explosive call of Cetti's warblers

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Time to welcome back the autumn migrants - will you be the first to see a redwing or fieldfare?
  2. Watch out for well-camouflaged snipe feeding in the cut reeds
  3. As the evenings draw in, it's possible to see flocks of starlings and buntings swirling over the reedbeds before going to roost

Top things to do in Winter

  1. Enjoy the beauty and peace of the reserve in winter, but remember to bring a flask!
  2. Ducks a-dabbling, ducks a-diving - come and see a duck spectacular
  3. Search the reed edges for elusive water rails

Latest forum posts

Visit our forum

Your photos

  • Successful Hunt
  • Long-tailed Tit
  • Alice brings home the dinner!
  • Alice and the kids!
  • Common Sandpiper
  • Mallard chicks 18/5/12
  • Take that !!
  • Alice plus one 18/5/12

View more photos

Downloads

Map of Rye Meads

Map of Rye Meads

1.48Mb, PDF

Date: 10 December 2010

Download

WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

Download

Living classrooms

Get your class or group exploring the natural world in fun and innovative ways.

Find out more

Find us on...

Extend your stay

Other places to visit

Kingfisher hovering over stream

Fowlmere

A peaceful stroll through wetland and woodland

Rainham Marshes visitor centre

Rainham Marshes

Big skies, exciting wildlife and a great place for a walk - all inside the M25!

Lapwing calling

Carsington Water

Explore rich wildflower meadows and native woodlands, ponds, reedbeds and islands

Grey herons at St Albans (Aren't birds brilliant!)

Handsome herons at St Albans

Let us introduce you to handsome herons and high dramas in the treetops of St Albans.

Find another place to visit

Search by place name or postcode.