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

Showing the birds to visitors

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.

Up close with the birds of Rye Meads – ringing demonstrations on 3rd and 17th August. (Sold out)

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 2024 count dates are as follows:

14th January

11th February

10th March

7th April

12th May

9th June

21st July

18th August

22nd September

20th October

17th November

15th 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 2024 visit dates are as follows.

Visit 1 Sunday 28 April to Wednesday 08 May

Visit 2 Thursday 09 May to Saturday 18 May

Visit 3 Sunday 19 May to Wednesday 29 May

Visit 4 Thursday 09 June to Saturday 08 June

Visit 5 Sunday 20 June to Wednesday 19 June

Visit 6 Thursday 20 June to Saturday 29 June

Visit 7 Sunday 30 June to Wednesday 10 July

Visit 8 Thursday 11 July to Saturday 20 July

Visit 9 Sunday 21 July to Wednesday 31 July

Visit 10 Thursday 01 August to Saturday 10 August

Visit 11 Sunday 11 August to Wednesday 21 August

Visit 12 Thursday 22 August to Saturday 31 August