Archive of: 2020

  • Why I love a Plover by Dr Tony Whitbread

    Why I love a Plover by Dr Tony Whitbread

    27 March 2020

    Former Sussex Wildlife Trust CEO Dr Tony Whitbread, now Trust President, tells us why he’s bought a ‘Plover’ to help the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Appeal

  • Rye Harbour Nature Reserve celebrates its 50th Anniversary

    Rye Harbour Nature Reserve celebrates its 50th Anniversary

    17 March 2020

    On Sunday 15th, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve celebrated its 50th anniversary with a glorious, five hour walk around the whole of the nature reserve. On a day that had sunshine and a rainbow as well as some weather challenges (mostly a cold wind), 20 members of the public joined some of the Sussex Wildlife Trust team, including Dr Barry Yates, Reserve Manager for the last 37 years and Senior Learning and Engagement Officer Lucy Bowyer. Cliff Dean, Chair of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, and James Tomlinson (Guide in a Hide volunteer) also supported the walk. There was a great deal of combined wildlife experience in the team, and the group, who stopped in each bird hide en route, counted more than 60 different species along the way, including a rare Glossy Ibis, a Raven in Camber Castle and a grass snake swimming in Castle Water

  • Help us kit out our new education zone

    Help us kit out our new education zone

    16 March 2020

    Sussex Wildlife Trust has launched a crowdfunding campaign, to help us kit out the environmental education facility at the Discovery Centre at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

    The Discovery Centre will allow the learning and engagement team to host school excursions and adult education, meaning visitors of all ages can learn more about the rare and special wildlife at the reserve.

  • We talk to Andy Dinsdale of Strandliners

    We talk to Andy Dinsdale of Strandliners

    17 February 2020

    Andy Dinsdale has lived in Fairlight all his life. He’s been a juggler, worked for an engineering firm is Executive Director of Strandliners, a Community Interest Company that seeks to make our rivers and seas cleaner. We speak to him at Pett Level, on a beautifully sunny February day, as the Fulmar fly overhead.

  • World Wetlands Day Walks

    World Wetlands Day Walks

    03 February 2020

    On Sunday 2nd February, Sussex Wildlife Trust led two guided, circular walks around the wetlands of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - internationally designated as Ramsar wetlands. Twenty two people came on the morning walk, which started from Rye station. We were pleased that eight people arrived by train. We walked first to Camber Castle and then had lunch at the nearby hide, overlooking the freshwater of Castle Water. There were excellent views of Marsh Harrier and a variety of ducks, including Gadwall. Fourteen people came on the afternoon wal, which started from the car park at Rye Harbour and explored the saline wetlands.

  • We speak to Ian Nunn, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency

    We speak to Ian Nunn, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency

    20 January 2020

    Ian Nunn is Operations Manager for Kent, East Sussex and South London, covering flood and coastal risk management. His teams operate mainly coastal and flood defence assets (such as flood walls - the Thames Barrier). His commitment is to significantly reduce the risk of flooding and its impact to people, property and infrastructure. He enjoys creating, building and maintaining things that make a difference to people’s lives.

  • Ecopoetics Workshop with Kay Syrad and Clare Whistler

    Ecopoetics Workshop with Kay Syrad and Clare Whistler

    05 January 2020

    In February, we have a couple of visiting poets running a workshop here - Kay Syrad and Clare Whistler. Both experienced, published writers, they have also been co-running ‘ecopoetics’ workshops at Knepp, ONCA and the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival

  • Review of 2019 from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - by Reserve Manager Dr Barry Yates

    Review of 2019 from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - by Reserve Manager Dr Barry Yates

    02 January 2020

    Well that was a challenging year. The 50th year of the nature reserve was one of preparing the foundations - literally - for new and improved experiences for our visitors and volunteers with starting the Discovery Centre and a three year National Lottery Heritage Fund project called Discover Rye Harbour. Our latest visitor figures, for 2018, show that annual visitor numbers continue to increase with 356,310 visits estimated from hourly car park figures, which is a 4% increase on 2017 and a 66% increase since 2001! This is typical of most coastal countryside sites and reflects increased mobility and recreational time in our society and more people wanting to exercise in nature.