Observations

The Observation posts contain synopses of the more interesting sightings of birds at Rye Meads.

How we record our birds

The Ringing Group operates to site boundaries which cover most of the RSPB reserve, part of the HMWT reserve, and all of the Thames Water Treatment Works area. We maintain a detailed log of observations every day that the site is manned, to the same standard as the permanent Bird Observatories. When interpreting these records, however, please remember that the Group is an amateur one, and so we are unable to cover the site every day! Observations are passed to the Hertfordshire Bird Recorder, and all rarities have full descriptions taken for scrutiny by the county or national Rare Birds committees as appropriate.

For more detailed information

"Friends" of Rye Meads receive a more detailed report in our Bulletin every two months, and a full species breakdown in our three-yearly Report. Click here for details of how to become a Friend or Member, or to buy a copy of the most recent Report.

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?
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May-June 2023 – Quieter than usual on the rafts as In Flew Enza
Avian Flu hit our gull colony, but wildfowl were present in good numbers. But our most unexpected bird of the period was a species not recorded here since 1998!
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March-April 2023 – two additions to the Rye Meads list
Some outstanding birds graced the Spring migration this year. Which species became our 230th and 231st recorded at Rye Meads?
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January-February 2023 – All quiet for the winter
It may have been a quiet time of the year, but there was still enough to interest a keen birder! Not least the tiniest of our woodpeckers, which although caught didn't make our ringing list - find out why...
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November-December 2022 – Arctic weather follows Arctic swan
An Arctic spell interrupted unseasonably mild weather. How did this affect our birds? We still had some interesting sightings!
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September-October 2022 – Beardies are back
As summer visitors gave way to winter visitors, headlines were stolen by our biggest flock of Bearded Tits for 43 years, and our 5th Spoonbill - but other records were also set!
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