RMRG – studying the birds of Rye Meads
We are a volunteer group whose mission is to study the birds of Rye Meads, Hertfordshire (United Kingdom), by trapping and ringing them, logging sightings, conducting breeding surveys, and recording all nests found.
We have been studying this site since 1960 and have data on more than a quarter of a million birds ringed, and have published many papers based on this data.
This website presents a summary of the birds, ringing data, and activities of the Group.
A fine study of a flying male Pochard - we are the country's leading ringers of Pochards. (John Watkins)
For more pictures, see our galleries of the site, the birds, other fauna and the flora.
News & Events
A paper in the BTO’s scientific journal, Ringing and Migration, describes a pilot study for monitoring Gadwalls using a satellite tracker. This study involved four birds captured at Rye Meads.
Read the paper here.
About us
Find out about our activities and history, lots about Rye Meads itself, and see galleries showcasing the site, the birds, and the other fauna and flora to be found here.
Recent activities
A blog of the Group’s activities, and some of our findings and ideas. Here is the latest post:
- The return of Bearded Tits to Rye Meads
Bearded Tits are irregular winter visitors to Rye Meads. Where do they come from and why are they only occasional in winter?
Observations
A synopsis of the interesting sightings of birds at Rye Meads. Here is the latest post:
- July-August 2023 – Another large flock of flightless ducks in moult
For the second year in a row, we’ve hosted large flocks of flightless ducks in moult. Not quite a record number, but we had record counts of two species – which ones were they?
Ringing and Results
Find out about the birds ringed at Rye Meads and what we have learnt about their movements as a result. Here is the latest post:
- A review of ringing in 2022
In 2022 we ringed just under 3,000 birds, well down on our long term average but better than the previous two Covid-impacted years. There were however some records set!
Support us
We are a self-funding group and rings, nets and equipment are expensive! We need your support. Become a Friend and we will send you regular news and information updates, and you can join us on ringing sessions. Or if you prefer, just donate what you can to our cause.
Click here for more details, or you can subscribe or donate now.
The Rye Meads Partnership
is a group of interested parties which co-operates in the management of habitat and the means of studying the birds of all of the Rye Meads area. The partners are:
Rye Meads Ringing Group
RSPB
Thames Water
HMWT
Environment Agency
Natural England
The Birds of Rye Meads
is a fascinating book with information from 40 years of bird study.
Now only £5 plus p&p.
Buy now!
RMRG thanks our sponsors
