Rye Meads

actionfinch · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2010, 08:46 PM

Hi anyone been to Rye Meads rspb... i off there on monday ,and just wanted a low down.. this time nothing's going to stop me....
unlike tyttenhanger...

Firefox · #2 (**permalink**) 13-11-2010, 09:37 PM

wow, you must go its amazing! i went in june for a event, the event was a bit lame so i went off to look at the hides and they were really good. try going to the kingfisher hide. i was told it was the best hide, but it was full. try checking on the website to see whats going on at the reserve.

The RSPB: Rye Meads

have fun

actionfinch · #3 (**permalink**) 14-11-2010, 06:53 PM

thanks firefox....i cant wait now....

Firefox · #4 (**permalink**) 14-11-2010, 08:30 PM

No Prob

actionfinch · #5 (**permalink**) 16-11-2010, 08:58 PM

What a day we had.
i so really want to tell everything but i cant type as fast as what my brain is telling me.
I know its my first reserve but i loved it so much i cant wait to go again.

.
Apart from seeing 7 species i have never seen before including a redwing

we got up close and personal with a robin who was posing for us.( i have some pics but not sorted them out yet.)
a little grebe who came right infront of the hide, went under the water and came up trumps with a little fish.
Hardly no one was there, the staff friendly and even an ederly couple we came across were brilliant, especialy when the lady saw an oystercatcher

teal, shovler,lapwing tufted duck and like i mentioned the redwing.where the other newbies .
I didn't know where to look.

A kestral finished the day when it came down from some lights stopped in midair hovered for about 3 secs then dived into the grass by the side of the entrance , all about 20 yds from where we were standing it came up with nothing , but perched on the sign had a poo then flew off...

a spectacle that you would never see when driving along the motorway at 70mph.
the weather was cold but dry we couldnt have asked for more.....

Farplace · #6 (**permalink**) 16-11-2010, 09:02 PM

Sounds like you had an amazing day!

actionfinch · #7 (**permalink**) 16-11-2010, 09:05 PM

for my first real adventure since starting birdwatching , yeah ..lol
just to be out there amongst them all was heaven
there was not enough hours in the day.

Deb London · #8 (**permalink**) 17-11-2010, 06:54 AM

There are never enough hours in the day.

Firefox · #9 (**permalink**) 17-11-2010, 03:53 PM

im planning to go agian too but my dad says i should try another one, problem is that there are no other good reserves near. btw did you see the kingfisher. i saw loads of speices while i was there, loads of people and loads of birds. the place was packed

RoyW · #10 (**permalink**) 17-11-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb London

There are never enough hours in the day.

Not for wildlife watching - but I can think of plenty of other occasions when days have gone on far too long!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefox

im planning to go agian too but my dad says i should try another one, problem is that there are no other good reserves near. btw did you see the kingfisher. i saw loads of speices while i was there, loads of people and loads of birds. the place was packed

(Bold highlights added).

I think that you'd be very surprised...
For instance, Amwell Quarry, a Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust reserve is only a few miles from Rye Meads (and in my opinion is better

). You also don't need to restrict yourself to reserves - the whole of the Lee Valley, from the Thames to Ware is full of good bird, and wildlife, watching sites, and there are loads of others in and around London.
Why not start a thread to ask for suggestions, briefly detailing what you are interested in (birds, plants etc - including specific species if you like). Include whether you travel by public transport or car so you don't get suggestions that are hard to get to!

It's also worth looking for local clubs/societies - the London Natural History Society has a program of walks each year that anyone can attend.