Rye Meads Nature Reserve is managed by the RSPB and Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The Rye Meads Nature Reserve has a visitor centre, a number of hides and a wide range of habitats.
A large, ancient flood meadow which attracts vast numbers of a wide variety of birds and supports many other forms of wildlife. It is jointly managed by the Trust and the RSPB whose site includes marshes and lagoons adjacent to the River Lea.
Rye Meads is an extensive wetland reserve with excellent birdwatching and wetland mammals. The seasonal flooding of the meadow combined with the rich soils and management of the site have resulted in a mosaic of habitats. These habitats consist of reedbeds, marshy grasslands and tall fen vegetation.
In and around the meadow there are ditches, streams and ponds which provide a home to many invertebrates, as well as frogs, toads and newts.
The reedbeds and tall fen vegetation support nesting sedge and Reed Warblers as well as numerous Cuckoos. Small mammals such as water shrew and harvest mice are abundant.
In winter, Water Rail and Bittern may be seen, as can roosting Reed Buntings and Yellow Hammers. When flooded the meadows attract waders and ducks such as Snipe, Golden Plover and Teal.
In summer, the breeding birdlife includes several species of duck, Water Rail, Common Tern, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover and Redshank. Tits and Whitethroats can be seen and occasionally Grasshopper Warblers and Yellow Wagtail. Meadowsweet and Meadow-rue provide the pastel-coloured surroundings.
In autumn, passage can be spectacular with both county and national rarities occurring. Rye Meads is a good place to see Snipe, Teal and Green Sandpipers at this time of year. Water Voles, Water Shrews and Harvest Mice are abundant and Otters have returned to breed after many years of being absent.
Rye Meads is part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds. There is a visitor centre, signposted trails and excellent hide facilities. The reserve specialises in environmental education and has very good facilities for schools.
The management regime includes grazing and hay-making and is designed to encourage diversity of species.
Visit Rye Meads Nature reserve and you can…..
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Get close up views of Kingfishers, Common Terns and other birds via CCTV cameras
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Hire Explorer sacks and binoculars to help you discover more about the wildlife of Rye Meads
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Watch the bird feeding areas for close up views of garden birds
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Pick up a copy the events programme
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Use a family discovery card to get the most from your day
Please find below a link to the Rye Meads Events List: