The Non-avian Fauna
As well as birds, we monitor in a less systematic way other animals occurring at Rye Meads. We keep a butterfly log and include an annual report on these in our Bulletin, and the RSPB also regularly runs a moth trap. In addition we log all sightings of vertebrates on site. There have been expert surveys of our Bats and True-bugs whose findings have been published in our Reports. This page showcases photos of some of the animals seen at Rye Meads. All images are by Members, Friends of the Group, and reserve visitors, and they retain copyright of their images.
Gallery of our animals
(click on image to enlarge)
The Slow Worm was recently rediscovered at Rye Meads after not having been recorded for several years. (Roger Emmens)
Several Muntjac live at Rye Meads, although they are quite hard to catch sight of. (Roger Emmens)
The Brown Rat is common at Rye Meads. We are so used to them in towns that we tend to forget they are a wild animal of the British countryside. (Roger Emmens)
This Emperor Moth was attracted by a pheromone at the RSPB Centre; they are quite common at Rye Meads (Roger Emmens)
Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar found in the South Lagoons. (Sarah Harris)
A caterpillar of the Mullein Moth (Roger Emmens)
Comma butterfly resting on brambles (Roger Emmens)
A Large Skipper butterfly (Roger Emmens)
Small Skipper butterfly (Roger Emmens)
A Marbled White butterfly - not at all common at Rye Meads - by the track near the Draper Hide (Roger Emmens)
Garden Orb Web Spider, one of the larger ones occurring on site (Roger Emmens)