March – April 2019
This period saw the first record of our 228th species, a Cattle Egret, and the second record of Common Crane.
Rye Meads Ringing Group
Information and activities
Rye Meads Ringing Group
Information and activities
Roger
January – February 2019
In sharp contrast to last year the final week of February included some lovely warm spring days; sadly, the birds found were largely unexciting.
What we saw in 2018
How did winter mortality, poor migrant return, and difficult breeding conditions affect the species we saw in 2018? Not as you might think!
November – December 2018
It was very quiet during this period, with the highlights being Marsh Tit and Water Pipit. Even the everyday birds seemed to be scarcer than usual for the time of year.
It isn’t Slow, and it isn’t a Worm
When you go to do a ringing session, you never know what you might encounter. And sometimes it isn't just birds - sometimes it's reptiles!
A close encounter with Tawny Owlets
A report on the ringing of our latest brood of Tawny Owls at Rye Meads, from the owl box beside the Scrape
Managing our nestboxes
We monitor and maintain more than eighty nestboxes of various types. National Nestbox Week is a good time to share details of how we look after ours.
September – October 2018
Our second Great White Egret enlivened what otherwise continued a quiet year with below par numbers.
Ringing is sometimes a drag!
Drag netting can be hard work, but it's the best way to catch one of our most enigmatic waders - the secretive Jack Snipe.
July – August 2018
A period dominated by heat and drought resulted in few birds, and very disappointing migration numbers. Best bird was our fourth Little Tern, and the first at this time of year.