The birds
We typically catch around 3,000-4,000 birds a year, and usually around 65 species a year, although our total species count stands at 143. The latest new species ringed was a Penduline Tit, trapped in a reedbed on the Scrape in 2023.
This page showcases photos of the birds we see and catch. All photographs are by Members and Friends of the Group, and other visitors to Rye Meads, and they retain copyright of their images.
Gallery of our birds
(click on image to enlarge)
A fine study of a flying male Pochard - we are the country's leading ringers of Pochards. (John Watkins)
Summer adult Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage. (Roger Emmens)
Black-necked Grebe on nest - a pair successfully bred in the summer of 2014. (Roger Emmens)
A close-up of a familiar bird, a female Mallard. (Sally Harris)
Sedge Warbler feeding Cuckoo fledgling - the Cuckoo is just hanging on as a breeding species at Rye Meads. (John Watkins)
The Goldcrest is the smallest European bird, typically weighing just 5-6g!
A pair of Black-headed Gulls in the process of creating this year's brood! (John Watkins)
A fine study of a male Blackbird on the Works area. (Sarah Harris)
A female Tufted Duck, a regular breeding and wintering bird at Rye Meads. (Maria Mak)
We know we are in for a noisy time when we catch a Jay! (Maria Mak)
Young Mute Swan cygnets keep close to their parents. (John Watkins)
The Great Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitor, and a red letter day when we catch one! (Maria Mak)
Willow Warblers are now just passage migrants at Rye Meads. (Roger Emmens)
Usually nesting nearby, there are often a few Hobbies feeding over the site in summer. (John Watkins)
Wheatears are an irregular passage migrant. (Roger Emmens)
Reed Warbler, one of our commonest summer visitors and passage migrants. (Roger Emmens)
Incoming Mallards often look out of control but usually land safely! (John Watkins)
Black Redstart - an occasional visitor usually to the Sewage Works part of the site. (Chris Dee)
A Wren, a common breeding bird. (Maria Mak)
Tawny Owl chicks - there are usually one or two pairs breeding on the site. (Maria Mak)
A Stock Dove squab - Stock Doves largely depend on our nestboxes. (Maria Mak)
Sparrowhawk - we catch a few of these handsome predators each year. (Maria Mak)
An adult male Shoveler is a fine duck, and it is a shame we catch so few of them!
Although slightly duller than their gaudy mates, female Shovelers are still handsome. (Maria Mak)
Green Sandpipers are regular at Rye Meads in small numbers, and are usually only absent for a few weeks in midsummer. (John Watkins)
This Kingfisher is one of our local ringed birds. (John Watkins)
Robins' nests are often too well hidden to be able to photograph! (Maria Mak)
This Lapwing's nest was on the Scrape at the RSPB reserve. (Maria Mak)
Coots' nests can be commonly seen all over the site in Spring and early Summer. (Sarah Harris)
A fine adult male Grey Wagtail. (Maria Mak)
This hovering Black-headed Gull shows just how flexible the wings are. (John Watkins)
Male Green Woodpecker - a couple of pairs breed on site. (Maria Mak)
Great Crested Grebe - we don't catch many of these fine birds. (Maria Mak)
Grasshopper Warbler - you can often hear one 'reeling' in early summer. (Maria Mak)
Dunnock is a widespread resident at Rye Meads but on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern. (Maria Mak)
A male Tufted Duck showing the characteristic leap before a dive. (John Watkins)
Examining a juvenile Common Sandpiper, showing the distinctive wingbar seen in flight. (Maria Mak)
A pair of Long-tailed Tits showing off the long tail well. (Jackie Cordell)
Water Rails are more often heard than seen!
Seven Jack Snipe ringed and ready for release
An adult Little Grebe in Summer is a handsome bird. (Roger Emmens)
Purple Heron in flight - a very rare visitor. (Jason Ward)
Two Little Stints on the Scrape. (Alan Reynolds)
This Sedge Warbler was the 250,000th bird ringed by the Group. (Jan Swan)
Black-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage (Jay Ward)
Siberian Chiffchaff 'tristis' 7th Jan 2017 proved by DNA analysis (Gary Gardiner)
Head view of a Bittern. (Vicky Buckel)
Black-tailed Godwit on the Scrape, Rye Meads July 2019 (Sarah Harris)
Buzzard in nest on the Toll Road, June 2019 (Sarah Harris)
Common Tern over the Scrape (Sarah Harris)
A Cuckoo chick being ringed, and still begging for food! (Sarah Harris)
A female Gadwall (Sarah Harris)
Marsh Harrier over the Meadow, May 2019 (Sarah Harris)
Sedge Warbler (Sarah Harris)
Tufted Duck brood on the Scrape, Rye Meads, 30 Jun 2019 (Sarah Harris)