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.

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.
The Centre Channel area of the South Lagoons is a favoured site for several species, especially Sedge Warbler. Here we have Toby in his natural habitat, finding nests! (Maria Mak)
By July 1958 the settlement lagoons are largely completed and the Works development is well advanced.
Great Crested Grebes occasionally venture into a duck trap! (Maria Mak)
Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar found in the South Lagoons. (Sarah Harris)
A Marbled White butterfly - not at all common at Rye Meads - by the track near the Draper Hide (Roger Emmens)
Seven Jack Snipe ringed and ready for release
A fine study of a male Blackbird on the Works area. (Sarah Harris)
Grasshopper Warbler - you can often hear one 'reeling' in early summer. (Maria Mak)
There are usually one or two Bee Orchids to be found on the RSPB Reserve alongside the path (Roger Emmens)

For more pictures, see our galleries of the site, the birds, other fauna and the flora.

News & Events

Our Nestbox Watch on Saturday 21st May was popular – visitors got to see Blue and Great Tit chicks being ringed and lots of facts about them.

To see future events and book places, see the RSPB page 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:

Tales from the Slick
Scillies pelagic – or, Three Men in a Boat! Alan Harris recounts the experiences of an RMRG expedition to see pelagic seabirds off Scilly.

Observations

A synopsis of the interesting sightings of birds at Rye Meads. Here is the latest post:

November-December 2021
This was a quiet period: wildfowl seemed to desert us, and winter visitors were low in number. But we did set a site record for one species…

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:

Ringing Review of 2021
A bad breeding season, no access to Thames Water land, further Covid restrictions… Ringing totals were low, but where were the bright spots?

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!