Dates for your diary
Other wildlife events
Other activities in the surrounding area can be found on the RXwildlife events page.
There is a leaflet of Rye Harbour Events 2010 available click here for details
February 2010
Sun 14 February 2010 @ 11:00
Fun Bird Activities
Hands-on fun making tasty treats to take home to your garden birds! Drop-in to Lime Kiln Cottage between 11am – 3pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations appreciated.
Wed 17 February 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle for Kids
A chance to explore Henry VIII’s ‘forgotten’ castle, and enjoy a walk through the Nature Reserve. Suitable for children aged 5 and over, children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at Brede Lock at 1pm. Approx 2 miles walk. Approx return to Brede Lock 3pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 20 February 2010 @ 14:30
Winter Lecture
Kent’s Wild, Wet Wilderness.
An illustrated talk from Irene & John Palmer about the birds, plants and scenery of the north Kent coast. Organised by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Winchelsea Beach Community Hall at 2.30pm. Open to all, donations appreciated.
Sun 21 February 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle Wildlife and History
A chance to go inside Camber Castle, visit the birdwatching hide at Castle Water and see the wetland wildlife there. Meet at Brede Lock. Approx 2.5 mile walk. 1pm – about 4pm. Donations appreciated.
March 2010
Sat 06 March 2010 @ 14:00
Hunt for the Missing Purse
Join our winter hunt along the Rye Harbour shore for egg cases of sharks, skates and rays. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. Approx 2 mile walk, 2 – 3.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 20 March 2010 @ 10:00
Spring Beach Clean
We should see the first Wheatears and Sandwich Terns while helping to move the winter’s rubbish. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10am. Bring work gloves if you have them. Hot soup will be served at the end (approx 1pm).
Sat 20 March 2010 @ 19:30
Winter Lecture
“On the Trail of the Crane”
Ralph & Brenda Todd follow the migration journeys of the Common Crane. Organised by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Winchelsea Beach Community Hall at 7.30pm. Open to all, donations appreciated.
April 2010
Sat 03 April 2010 @ 10:30
Easter Egg Hunt
Take part in an egg hunt around Henry VIII’s ‘forgotten’ castle. Drop in to Camber Castle between 10.30am – 1.30pm. £2 per person.
Wed 07 April 2010 @ 13:00
Beach Beasties
Bring your family to use our shrimp nets and hunt for creatures that live in the shallows at Rye Harbour. Please wear suitable footwear for paddling/wading in the sea. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. Approx 1 mile walk. 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 10 April 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle Wildlife and History
A chance to go inside Camber Castle, visit the birdwatching hide at Castle Water and see the wetland wildlife there. Meet at Brede Lock. Approx 2.5 mile walk. 1pm – about 4pm. Donations appreciated.
Wed 14 April 2010 @ 14:00
Seashore Discovery
Bring the family to hunt for minibeasts living in the saltmarsh and discover shells and eggcases that are washed up on our beach. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. Approx 1 mile walk. 2 – 4pm. Donations appreciated.
Sun 25 April 2010 @ 04:30
Whimbrel Watch
For 15 years the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve have been out at dawn to see the Whimbrel. Find out why and enjoy the dawn chorus of Gulls, Terns, Waders, Wheatears and Skylarks. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 4.30am – 8am. Approx 3 mile walk. Donations appreciated.
May 2010
Mon 03 May 2010 @ 10:30
Low Tide Exploration at Pett Level
Bring the family to explore the rock pools and submerged forest on Pett Level beach. Please wear sensible footwear for rockpooling. Meet at eastern end of the row of houses at Pett Level. 10.30am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
Sat 15 May 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle Wildlife and History
A chance to go inside Camber Castle, and visit the birdwatching hide at Castle Water to see the wetland wildlife there. Meet at Brede Lock. 1pm – 4pm, approx 2.5 mile walk. Donations appreciated.
Sat 29 May 2010 @ 09:00
RX Wildlife Festival 2010
Many wildlife and countryside activities across the whole area from Hastings to Rye to Romney Marsh to Dungeness. For further information please visit www.RXwildlife.org.uk.
Activities daily from Saturday May 29th to Sunday June 6th.
June 2010
Sat 12 June 2010 @ 10:30
Coastal Plants at Rye Harbour
Find out how the reserve’s shingle plants cope with their dry, windy and salty environment! Meet Rye Harbour car park. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Approx 2 mile walk. Donations appreciated.
Sun 13 June 2010 @ 16:00
Breeding Birds
Come down to the reserve to see how our breeding terns, gulls and waders are doing this year. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 4.00-6.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 19 June 2010 @ 14:00
Seashore Discovery
Bring the family to discover wildlife hidden in the saltmarsh and treasures washed ashore. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 2 – 4pm. Approx 1 mile walk. Donations appreciated.
Sat 26 June 2010 @ 11:00
Camber Castle Detectives
Junior detectives can follow clues and answer questions in Henry VIII’s castle. Prize for all completed forms. Drop in to Camber Castle between 11am – 1pm. (1 mile walk from Rye – no vehicular access). £2 per child, accompanying adult free.
Sun 27 June 2010 @ 08:00
Trapping Sharks, Tigers and Elephants!
The warden will show you the Rye Harbour moth trap for last night’s catch. Lime Kiln Cottage 8.00am. Wheelchair accessible. Donations appreciated.
July 2010
Sat 10 July 2010 @ 10:30
Four Special Flowers
Take a close look at the reserve’s plants, learning how to find rarities like Marsh Helleborine, Least Lettuce, Stinking Hawk’s-beard and Sea Heath. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Approx 2 mile walk. Donations appreciated.
Sun 11 July 2010 @ 14:00
Horse Stingers and Devil's Darning Needles
Colourful, elegant and harmless: take a close look at dragonflies and damselflies. Meet at Brede Lock. 2.00 – 4.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 17 July 2010 @ 10:30
Shrimping and Rock Pooling at Pett Level
A family event exploring the rock pools and learning how to catch shrimps. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for paddling/wading in the sea. Meet at eastern end of the row of houses at Pett Level. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Sun 25 July 2010 @ 14:00
Spiders and their Webs
Join the warden, Chris, on a hunt for a variety of different spiders, and learn how they create their webs. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. 2 – 3.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Tue 27 July 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle for Kids
A chance to explore Henry VIII’s “Forgotten Castle” and enjoy a walk through the Nature Reserve. Approx 2 mile walk, suitable for children aged 5 and over. Meet at Brede Lock. 1.00 – 3.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Wed 28 July 2010 @ 10:00
Moths for all ages
Bring the family to learn about the moths that fly around the reserve at nigh. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. 10 – 11am. Donations appreciated.
Thu 29 July 2010 @ 10:00
Seashore Discovery
Bring the family to discover wildlife hidden in the saltmarsh and hidden treasures washed ashore on our beach. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 10am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
August 2010
Sun 01 August 2010 @ 10:30
Beginners' Bird Watching
Learn how to identify a variety of resident and migrant birds. Binoculars and field guides available to use on the day. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. Approx 2 mile walk. 10.30am – 12.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Wed 04 August 2010 @ 14:00
Minibeasts
Bring the family to hunt for minibeasts hiding from view. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. 2pm – 3.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 07 August 2010 @ 08:00
Caught in a Trap!
A final chance to inspect the Rye Harbour moth traps. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage 8.00am. Whhelchair accessible. Donations appreciated.
Wed 11 August 2010 @ 14:00
Hunt for the Missing Purse
Take part in Marine Week by joining the great egg case hunt along the Rye Harbour shore. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. 2.00 – 4.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Fri 13 August 2010 @ 10:00
Seashore Discovery
Bring the family to discover the hidden treasures that are washed ashore on our beach, and hunt out creepy crawlies living in the saltmarsh. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 10am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
Wed 18 August 2010 @ 11:00
Pond Dipping at Castle Water
Bring the family to explore Castle Water, to find out what wildlife lurks among the reeds. Pond nets and field guides will be supplied. Meet at Brede Lock. 11am – 1pm. Donations appreciated.
Fri 20 August 2010 @ 10:00
Postcards from the Sea
Come down to the beach, explore the strandline, and take home a postcard made from the things you have found! Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. Approx 1 mile walk. 10am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
Sun 22 August 2010 @ 12:00
Camber Castle Bug Hunt and Picnic
A family picnic in Camber Castle will precede a hunt for freshwater wildlife, from frogs and newts to leeches in Castle Water. Meet at Brede Lock. Approx 2 mile walk. 12noon – 3pm. Donations appreciated.
Wed 25 August 2010 @ 18:30
Birds, Bats and Bugs
An evening stroll to Ternery Pool followed by a closer look at some nocturnal creatures with the help of bat detectors. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 6.30pm – dusk. Donations appreciated.
Fri 27 August 2010 @ 12:00
Treasure Hunt
Follow a map with clues around Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and test your brainpower! Collect a map and clues from Lime Kiln Cottage between 12noon – 2pm. Prizes for all completed forms handed in the same day. £2 per child, accompanying adults free.
Sat 28 August 2010 @ 14:00
Pebbles, Pebbles, Everywhere
Rye Harbour is a land of stones, but every one is different! Create some artwork from pebbles found on the beach. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage. 2.00 – 3.30pm. Donations appreciated.
Sun 29 August 2010 @ 10:00
Beach Beasties
Bring the family and use shrimp nets to hunt for creatures that live in the shallows. Please wear suitable footwear for paddling/wading in the sea. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage at 10.00am. Donations appreciated.
September 2010
Sat 11 September 2010 @ 09:00
Autumn Migration on the Beach Reserve
There should be movements of seabirds, coasting passerines, waders refuelling on the pools and perhaps some raptors. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. Approx 3 mile walk, 9am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
Sun 12 September 2010 @ 10:00
Camber Castle Wildlife and History
A chance to go inside Camber Castle, visit the birdwatching hide at Castle Water, and see the wetland wildlife there. Meet at Brede Lock. 10.00am – 1.00pm. Donations appreciated.
October 2010
Sat 02 October 2010 @ 13:00
Shrimping at Rye Harbour
The tidal shallows are murky but full of life. Bring the family to catch shrimps, flatfish and crabs. Please wear suitable footwear for paddling/wading in the sea. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage at 1.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 09 October 2010 @ 09:00
Autumn Migration Watch
Join the warden in search for warblers in the bushes, waders on the islands and wagtails overhead. Meet at Brede Lock. Approx 3 mile walk. 9am – 12noon. Donations appreciated.
Sat 16 October 2010 @ 14:30
Winter Lecture: Sikkim the Hard Way
An illustrated talk by David Lang, organised by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Meet at Winchelsea Beach Community Hall at 2.30pm. Open to all, donations appreciated.
Wed 27 October 2010 @ 10:30
The Big Draw
Join this national event by helping to create artwork based on the reserve’s wildlife. Drop in to Lime Kiln Cottage any time between 10.30am – 3.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Thu 28 October 2010 @ 12:00
The Ghost of Camber Castle
A spooktacular trail around Camber Castle, for young witches and warlocks. Follow the clues to win a prize… Drop in to Camber Castle any time between 12noon – 3pm. £2 per trail sheet, every trail sheet completed will win a prize.
Fri 29 October 2010 @ 10:30
Feed the Birds
Make tasty treats to help your garden birds get through the winter months. Drop in to Lime Kiln Cottage any time between 10.30am – 3.00pm. Donations appreciated.
Sat 30 October 2010 @ 13:00
Camber Castle Exploration
Explore the Castle, the birdwatching hide and the Castlw Water wetland for early winter wildlife. Meet at Brede Lock. Approx 2 mile walk. 1.00 – 4.00pm. Donations appreciated.
November 2010
Sat 20 November 2010 @ 14:30
Winter Lecture
“Over the Sea to the Isles of Scilly”
An illustrated talk by Ian Rumley-Dawson, organised by the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Winchelsea Beach Community Hall 2.30pm. Open to all. Donations appreciated.
Sun 21 November 2010 @ 10:30
Winter Birds at the Beach Reserve
A chance to get to grips with a good variety of winter visitors: wildfowl, waders, finches and raptors. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. Approx 3 mile walk. 10.30am – 1.00pm. Donations appreciated.
December 2010
Sat 04 December 2010 @ 10:30
Festive Beach Clean
A pre-Christmas clean-up of the rubbish washed up along the beach by the autumn’s storms, plus the chance to see many wintering birds. Your efforts will be rewarded with hot soup and mince pies at Lime Kiln Cottage afterwards. Please bring work gloves if you have them. Meet at Rye Harbour car park. 10.30am – 1.00pm.