RSPB Rye Meads

01/06/2026

Just a reminder that, due to the North London Reinforcement project by National Grid, the back of the car park will be closed between 4 June and 10 June as the scaffolding is put up for the pylon works later in the year.

We propose an uprating of the existing 275kV overhead lines to facilitate a transmission load of 400kV and the development of three new substations to help carry more green power f...

31/05/2026

We had our first Large Skipper of the year today and what a beauty! It sat on the leaf for long enough for us to get plenty of photos which, as you may know, is a very rare thing when it comes to nature.

30/05/2026

It's always nice to see a Common Blue butterfly and even better when they sit around and pose for you (although we are noticing a trend of butterflies staring directly at us when we take a photo of them). This one even got into the most perfect position for a photograph which you can see in the second photograph... Well you would, if the camera hadn't decided to take a picture of something else (always blame the tools, it's never your fault).

29/05/2026

The Red Crested Pochard are showing well at the Draper and Gadwall hides at the moment. Just in case you fancy something a little different to a certain striking blue bird that rhymes with singdisher... We've also had sightings of Water Voles, Grass Snakes and Kestrels all around the reserve as well.

28/05/2026

It's been an extremely hot day again today and when we went to get some pictures of the Oystercatchers that were reported earlier this morning (you all know how much we love an Oystercatcher) we took shelter in the Draper tunnel. We then looked and sharing the shade with us was this rather stunning looking Speckled Wood butterfly. Sitting around letting us take photos of it makes it one of our favourites!

27/05/2026

As you may (or may not) have seen, the Kingfishers have fledged! So far we have seen 2 juveniles but we aren't sure how many there are in total, yet. They have also been spotted mating so it's looking good for a second brood.

📸Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

26/05/2026

Sleeping on a nature reserve? That sounds like a really great evening... Well if you sprinkle in some pond dipping and a bat walk as well you get what we would call an incredible evening, also known as the Big Wild Sleepout. The perfect chance to spend time on the reserve when everyone else has gone home and do a whole host of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Secure your tickets by following the link below:

https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/161707

25/05/2026

It’s getting to that point of the year where we have families of geese around the reserve (usually around and near the Seasonal trail). This means the adults will be a lot more hissy than normal (if that’s possible) and they may take up the path. If they do it’s best to give them as much space as possible and move quickly, in single file, past them. They may hiss but as long as you are quick, they won’t be too bothered by you.

24/05/2026

It's not just birds at Rye Meads, we've also got lots of Yellow Flag Iris in flower all around the reserve at the moment as well. A very pretty flower that, as it's name suggests, is bright yellow and has a characteristic droop of their outer petals. A good spot to see them is from the first boardwalk, or from the centre dipping pond.

23/05/2026

What's lurking in the Rye Meads pond? There's only one way to find out, POND DIPPING!! Available every day of the holidays (23-31 May) £4.50 per kit. You can either book a morning or afternoon slot using the link below or pay on the day:

https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/164718