News
2 February 2012
January was very warm and dry
Click here for today’s weather in Rye
From Hastings Meteorological Station.
January 2012
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 87.6 hours (64.1)
Mean maximum temp. 10.4 C (6.9)
Mean minimum temp. 4.6 C (2.5)
Rainfall 44.1 mm. (70.9)
Gale or stronger 3 day (2)
30 January 2012
Workparty 1979
As we plan to complete the islands at Ternery Pool before the next bird breeding season it is interesting to see how one of them was constructed by one of the Sussex Ornithological Society workparties in 1979. Alf Simpson has given us a panel of 12 photos taken by John Trowell. Click here for a 1.4MB JPG file
It looks like a dozen people moved 22 tons of shingle with shovels, wheelbarrows and a raft. It’s not how we will be doing it soon…
15 January 2012
PLEASE JOIN THE FRIENDS
As the nature reserve enters a new era with the Sussex Wildlife Trust (see article here) it is important to have your support.
So please consider joining the Friends and help us to continue improving this special place for wildlife and people.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
Thank-you.
1 January 2012
December weather was sunny, warm and windy
Click here for today’s weather in Rye
From Hastings Meteorological Station.
January 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 67.7 hours (64.1)
Mean maximum temp. 7.1 C (6.9)
Mean minimum temp. 2.5 C (2.5)
Rainfall 82.5 mm. (70.8)
Gale or stronger 0 day (2.1)
Snow lying 0 days (2.5)
February 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 49.5 hours (84.2)
Mean maximum temp. 8.4 C (7.1)
Mean minimum temp. 4.1 C (2.4)
Rainfall 47.9 mm. (53.2)
Gale or stronger 1 day (1.0)
Snow lying 0 days (2.5)
March 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 167.9 hours (132.6)
Mean maximum temp. 10.4 C (9.1)
Mean minimum temp. 3.7 C (3.4)
Rainfall 23.8 mm. (51.0)
Gale or stronger 1 day (0.9)
April 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 275.5 hours (178.2)
Mean maximum temp. 17.2 C (11.9)
Mean minimum temp. 8.4 C (5.3)
Rainfall 9.1 mm. (47.0)
Gale or stronger 0 day (0.3)
May 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 269.7 hours (228.6)
Mean maximum temp. 16.5 C (15.4)
Mean minimum temp. 8.9 C (8.3)
Rainfall 6.7 mm. (45.2)
Gale or stronger 1 day (0.3)
June 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 239.7 hours (232.9)
Mean maximum temp. 18.3 C (18.1)
Mean minimum temp. 11.7 C (11.2)
Rainfall 49.8 mm. (46.7)
Gale or stronger 0 day (0.1)
July 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 248.9 hours (229.1)
Mean maximum temp. 19.4 C (19.9)
Mean minimum temp. 12.8 C (13.2)
Rainfall 42.0 mm. (53.8)
Gale or stronger 0 day (0.1)
August 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 205.7 hours (216.5)
Mean maximum temp. 19.9 C (20.2)
Mean minimum temp. 14.0 C (13.5)
Rainfall 66.9 mm. (58.9)
Gale or stronger 0 day (0.3)
September 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 182.8 hours (167.7)
Mean maximum temp. 19.4 C (18.3)
Mean minimum temp. 13.5 C (11.8)
Rainfall 30.0 mm. (62.4)
Gale or stronger 2 day (0.5)
October 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 152.3 hours (123.4)
Mean maximum temp. 16.6 C (14.6)
Mean minimum temp. 11.4 C (8.9)
Rainfall 20.5 mm. (88.4)
Gale or stronger 0 day (1.2)
November 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 71.7 hours (76.6)
Mean maximum temp. 14.0 C (10.6)
Mean minimum temp. 9.2 C (5.6)
Rainfall 40.6 mm. (88.7)
Gale or stronger 0 day (1.5)
December 2011
(normal value in brackets)
Sunshine 71.3 hours (57.6)
Mean maximum temp. 10.0 C (7.9)
Mean minimum temp. 3.9 C (3.5)
Rainfall 157.8 mm. (79.3)
Gale or stronger 3 day (1.8)
22 December 2011
Alternative Xmas Videos
If you’re stuck in over the holidays and need alternative viewing then there is always the nature reserve’s videos on YouTube.
Click here
My favourite winter one is
17 December 2011
Events 2012
All of our public events for 2012 are listed in a leaflet that is available from the reserve address (with A5 sae), Lime Kiln Cottage or can be downloaded from our Dates for your Diary page – click here
Or they can be viewed on this website!
1 November 2011
The Nature Reserve's Future
Today the management of the Nature Reserve passed from East Sussex County Council to Sussex Wildlife Trust, thus securing the future of this special place.
Latest Press release: click here
East Sussex County Council will be entering into formal discussions with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to explore the feasibility of the Trust taking on the County Council’s current responsibilities at Rye Harbour Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve was established in 1970, is currently the greatest biodiversity hotspot in the county with more than 150 nationally rare or endangered species recorded, and has more than 200,000 visitors per year The Nature Reserve is coordinated and administered by a Management Committee. A variety of bodies are represented, and include the landowners within the LNR and also key partners such as the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and the Environment Agency. At a recent management committee meeting a recommendation to enter into the above formal discussions was unanimously carried. This recommendation was proposed by Ann Moore, and seconded by Nicky Frith, Chair of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Tony Lloyd Chairman of Rye Harbour LNR management committee said: “These discussions are just the start of a formal process with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. If they progress to a stage where the Trust confirm they wish to take on the County Council’s current responsibilities at the Nature Reserve, there will be further consultation with the landowners and local interested parties. “The approval of the County Council’s Cabinet would also be required before any changes were made to the current management agreement. It is at times like this that the strength and support of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve have proven invaluable. The proposed change will not alter the role of the Friends. Without their continued support this nature reserve would not have become the very special place that we all enjoy and where many rare plants and animals have a secure future.” Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We wish to work with all members of the committee to ensure the long term future of the Nature Reserve and have been consulting with landowners, stakeholders and possible interested parties regarding the future management and funding of the reserve.” These discussions are part of a review of all the countryside sites that East Sussex County Council owns, and also those that are managed in partnership, to examine whether third parties may be better placed to manage County Council countryside sites.
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Notes.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust was influential leading up to the LNR designation in 1970, and took on the purchase of Castle Water in 1992 with substantial financial support from the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. As a partner in the Nature Reserve it sits on the Management Committee and Conservation Sub-committee and as a landowner is a signatory to the Management Agreement. With more than 26,500 members and 6,500 junior ‘Wildlife Watch’ members, SWT manages 3,800 acres of land, which includes some of the finest wild places in Sussex.
For more than 40 years Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has been a great place to discover coastal and wetland wildlife. There are five bird watching hides (all with some wheelchair access), a network of footpaths and an information centre opened by volunteers on most days. In summer, breeding birds include many species of terns, waders, ducks, and a spectacular display of specialised shingle plants such as Sea Pea and Sea Kale. In spring and autumn, there are a great range of migratory birds and more seaside plants in flower. In winter, there are great flocks of ducks, including Smew and waders with a good chance to see the elusive Bittern that lives in the reedbeds at Castle Water.
The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Management Agreement is between East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, the Environment Agency, the Sussex Wildlife Trust and two private landowners:
• Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is made up of land owned by four parties: the Sussex Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and two private landowners
• The Reserve is managed by The County Council as a Nature Reserve
• The County Council maintains a Management Committee for the management of the reserve made up of members nominated by: the County Council, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Rother District Council, Sussex Ornithological Society, Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the Environment Agency, Icklesham Parish Council, Rye Town Council, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Association for Shooting & Conservation, and each landowner.
• The Management Committee prepare and update the Management Plan for the Reserve.
• The expense of management and maintenance of the Reserve is determined by the Management Committee and an estimate of income and expenditure approved by ESCC each year.
• The County Council, the District Council, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and the Environment Agency contribute toward this.
3 June 2011
Habitat Creation Project - update
The Environment Agency has now completed the final phase of the Habitat Creation Project at Rye Harbour Farm with the construction of the culverts and outfall structures. There will now be some testing of the new saltmarsh and monitoring of the adjacent pools and ground water.
Download the Environment Agency’s June 2011 newsletter by clicking here.
Download the Environment Agency’s January 2011 newsletter by clicking here.
Download the Environment Agency’s August 2010 newsletter by clicking here.
Link to Environment Agency project webpage.
11th Sept 2010 Update can be viewed by clicking here.
30th Sept 2010 Update can be viewed by clicking here.
Previous project info
This summer (2010) the Environment Agency would like to begin the restoration of Rye Harbour Farm, to re-create habitats lost to the site for more than 50 years. Rye Harbour Farm was purchased to assist in the creation of the sea defence embankment from Winchelsea Beach to Rye Harbour. Following its completion we have been working towards a project to restore many of the habitats that once existed there. The Project will contribute to the Environment Agency’s national commitment to creating and restoring important habitats, and will form a significant extension to the adjacent Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. A planning application was submitted on May 6th to Rother District Council – click here.
Download the Environment Agency’s May 2010 newsleter by clicking here.
17 May 2011
Wildlife Photo Competition
The Friends of the Nature Reserve held a wildlife photo competition for their members and the two winners have been chosen.
Winner – Redshank Reflection by Jill Halpin.
Runner Up – Territorial Avocets by Geoffrey Crane
These two images will be displayed at the Avocet Gallery in Rye Harbour village and made into a greetings card.
Click here to see all the entries
3 January 2011
Events 2011
Our Events programme for 2011 is now available. Downloadable by clicking here or as a leaflet available from Lime Kiln Cottage.