Information and events
This page contains general information on activities and events that the Group is involved in. It is particularly aimed at our ringing members and helpers, but will also be of interest for other visitors to Rye Meads.
Ringers’ pages are here (access by invitation only).
Public events
We hold ringing demonstrations from time to time, to show RSPB visitors how this is done and to explain why it is important to do so. These demonstrations are arranged by the RSPB and usually require booking through them. For full details and how to book, visit the RSPB Rye Meads website.
Wetland Bird Survey
This survey, usually known simply as WeBS, aims to make co-ordinated national counts of all wetland birds in order to monitor populations, both wintering and breeding. We count the birds of Rye Meads, including the sewage works site. The 2025/6 count dates are as follows:
7th December 2025
18th January 2026
22nd February
22nd March
19th April
17th May
14th June
19th July
16th August
13th September
11th October
22nd November
13th December
These are SUNDAYS – note actual count date may be the SATURDAY of that weekend at the discretion of the counter.
RMRG customarily suspends WeBS counts during April-August to focus on breeding survey work.
Constant Effort Sites
The CES Scheme requires timed ringing sessions at specific date periods using the same net sites through the summer, so as to provide at a national level statistically significant catch numbers to monitor population trends and breeding productivity. The 2026 visit dates are as follows.
Visit 1 Sunday 30 April to Wednesday 09 May
Visit 2 Thursday 10 May to Saturday 20 May
Visit 3 Sunday 21 May to Wednesday 30 May
Visit 4 Thursday 31 May to Saturday 10 June
Visit 5 Sunday 11 June to Wednesday 20 June
Visit 6 Thursday 21 June to Saturday 01 July
Visit 7 Sunday 02 July to Wednesday 11 July
Visit 8 Thursday 12 July to Saturday 22 July
Visit 9 Sunday 23 July to Wednesday 01 August
Visit 10 Thursday 02 August to Saturday 12 August
Visit 13 Sunday 10 August to Wednesday 22 August
Visit 12 Thursday 23 August to Saturday 02 September