RSPB Rye Meads

06/09/2026

On a day that has felt like the middle of summer again we've had a lot of visitors come through, and a lot of sightings. The Kingfishers are still being seen around the reserve at the Draper, Gadwall and Kingfisher hub, a pair of Ravens were seen from the Visitor Centre flying over the Lapwing meadow and a Spotted Flycatcher has been seen near the turnstile, opposite the pylon. Not a bad day if you ask us...

Spotted Flycatcher picture copyright RSPB / Philip Croft (not taken at the reserve)

05/09/2026

If you love ducks or are even mildly interested in them, the Tern and Gadwall hides are the place to be. This year we have seen an increase in Gadwall as they moult their feathers and prepare for winter. Whilst we have always seen an increase during the winter in previous years, the numbers this year are a lot higher with the Rye Meads Ringing Group counting over 500 a couple of weeks ago.

📸 Copyright RSPB / Ben Andrew

04/09/2026

You never know who you might meet on the paths at the reserve and today we this Lesser Stag beetle on the Ashby ramp. We very nearly missed them, we were stood at the top enjoying the view of the Lee Marsh and looked down and just happened to see it crawling around. So we did what anyone would do and quickly got as many pictures as possible and moved them to a safe spot.

03/09/2026

We're beginning to see tit flocks around the reserve as Long Tailed t**s (and others including Blue t**s) start to create bigger groups through the winter months. It's not unusual to see them with Goldcrest as well, so if you see a group of Long Tailed t**s, make sure you look around to see if there's a Goldcrest peppered in there too.

02/09/2026

If you head to the Draper dipping pond today, you may be in for a big surprise (although not so much if you carry on reading this post). We have not one but two Elephant Hawk moth caterpillars. Not only that but, because we love to spoil you, we have one of each variant; a green one and a brown one.

01/09/2026

Have you got your ticket yet? There's not much time until the September edition of our Wednesday Wander. The ultimate opportunity to go out with Mel, our super guide, to see what's around the reserve at this time of year. You never know what you might see... So make sure you get your ticket by following the link below:

Join one of our volunteers on the first Wednesday of each month for an informal guided walk around RSPB Rye Meads and witness the diversity of wildlife that cal

31/08/2026

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

After 3 broods and (at least) 7 fledglings, we believe the Kingfishers have now finished breeding as they aren't going into the nest banks or hanging around at the hub anymore (although we have been wrong before). They are still being seen around the reserve though, with most sightings being at the Draper hide. They have also been seen at the Gadwall hide and the Kingfisher hub though, so they're continuing their tradition of keeping us guessing.

Photo by George Styles

30/08/2026

There was another contender for sighting of the year today when one of our regular visitors managed to see a Spotted Flycatcher just before the Kingfisher boardwalk. It could possibly be a passage migrant as they make their way back to Africa, and a great sighting!

Photo of a Spotted Flycatcher copyright RSPB / Philip Croft (not taken at the Rye Meads).

29/08/2026

Yesterday we had a Garganey drop in at the Tern hide, the good news is it appears to have stuck around today as well and is still being seen in the same place. We aren't sure if it's a female or male in eclipse as we haven't been able to go out and see it, but if you've seen it or got any pictures please share them below.

Pictures copyright RSPB / Mike Langman (picture 1 female Garganey, picture 2 male Garganey)

28/08/2026

Just a reminder that there will be some works carried out around the reserve today (Friday 28 August) which have been marked on the map below with a circle. Access to Draper will be restricted for a short while this morning and access routes to the Kingfisher hub will be affected later in the day but you will still be able to access the Kingfisher hub all day.