RXwildlife Sightings

The dates for our 6th Annual Wildlife Festival are 29th May to 6th June 2010.

There will be activities at Hastings Country Park, Pett Level, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, East Guldeford Level, Camber, Dungeness RSPB and the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre. Most activities are free, but donations will be appreciated. Children are especially welcomed, but must be accompanied by an adult.

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Programme of Events

If the venue or meeting point is shown in blue, click on it for a map or further information.
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Daily: 29th May-6th June

I Spy Shingle Wildlife follow the trail and discover the special plants and animals on our shingle beach. Pick up an activity sheet at Lime Kiln Cottage Information Centre from 10-5pm.

Daily: 29th-31st May

International Year of Biodiversity. Snails, insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies. Children’s wildlife and craft activities. 10am-4.30pm. At the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre

Daily: 1st-6th June

Driving Climate Change Away (The Railway Children). How can we travel without harming the planet? Green transport-themed activities for children. 10am- 4.30pm. At the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre

Daily: 29th May-6th June

Wildlife and Nature Art Exhibition 10am-5pm. Avocet Gallery & Tea Room, Rye Harbour (opposite the shop, 1 minute from free car park) will be hosting a special exhibition of wildlife and nature art and crafts at our new gallery in Rye Harbour. We will have photographs, prints, paintings, jewellery, crafts, gifts and much more, all on a wildlife theme. Artists include Robert Greenhalf, Annie Soudaine, Judith Rowe, Peter Greenhalf, Flora McLachlan, Ruth Praill, Claire Palastanga, Susan Neal and many more… www.avocetgalleryandtea.co.uk

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Saturday 29th May

Discover Moths meet at Lime Kiln Cottage Information Centre at 9am to look at the previous night’s catch in the moth trap with the warden.

Napoleonic Defences of the Romney Marshes a study day with the Romney Marsh Research Trust at Dymchurch with an afternoon coach trip along the Royal Military Canal, guided by the Internal Drainage Board. Find out why the Canal and other features exist and what has been their effect on the marsh drainage systems. Make cheques for the day for £16.00, which includes coach, but not lunch, to RMRT, c/o The RMRT Secretary, 41 Mermaid Street, Rye, TN31 7EU - more detail from terryburke9@hotmail.com

Binocular and telescope demonstration at RSPB Dungeness 10am - 4pm. An opportunity to try out and purchase some of the best optical equipment available. RSPB Visitor Centre. No need to book.

Bug Hunt 2.30 - 4pm Hastings Country Park Visitors Centre

Feathers - a brand new wild bird care shop is opening its doors TODAY in Salehurst for all garden bird lovers. Everything you could possibly need for you garden birds. Click here for details.

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Sunday 30th May

Beginners Birdwatching easy circular walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some special birds. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10.30am for a 2 hour walk with the warden.

Nesting Seabirds easy circular walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some special birds. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 7pm for 2 hour walk with the warden.

Wildlife Walk Around Dungeness Point A gentle walk to see the characteristic wildlife which can be found on the Dungeness National Nature Reserve. Bird migration is at a peak and the flowers and insects will be making the Point a colourful spectacle. LEADER: Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: 2.00pm at Old Lighthouse car park, Dungeness Road, Dungeness (TR 088 167). DISTANCE: 2 miles (2.5 hours). GRADE: 3 (shingle). Walking on some sections of shingle.

Birdwatching for beginners guided walk at RSPB Dungeness 11am - 1pm. A guided walk especially aimed at those new to birdwatching. Booking essential - see below.

Binocular and telescope demonstration at RSPB Dungeness 10am - 4pm. An opportunity to try out and purchase some of the best optical equipment available. No need to book.

Pond Dipping 2.30 - 4pm Fairlight Road Picnic Site

Bumblebee walk at Rye Harbour. A short walk with Nikki Gammans to discover more about the Bumblebee Project. 2-3.30pm Meet at Rye Harbour car park Find out more about the project here.

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Monday 31st May

Shingle Flowers easy circular walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some special flowers. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10am for 2 hour walk with the warden.

Binocular and telescope demonstration at RSPB Dungeness 10am - 4pm. An opportunity to try out and purchase some of the best optical equipment available. No need to book.

Off The Beaten Track with Colin Page. A scenic landscape and wildlife walk from Guestling Thorne to the Brede Valley. Insects and wild flowers, seeing and hearing birds in a variety of habitats. Up to 3 miles - a few hills - possibly wet and muddy in places. Meet at the car park, Harborough nurseries, Guestling on A259, near hastings, TN35 4LU @ 9.45 a.m. Back approx 1pm. Parking limited. Please phone 01797 224231 if interested so that a parking space can be provided. Bring a camera and binoculars. If you do not have binoculars there are some available for you to borrow.

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Tuesday 1st June

Postcards from a beach a creative workshop with glue and tiny found items. Meet at the blockhouse near the mouth of the river Rother from 10am-12noon.

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Wednesday 2nd June

Creepy Crawlies a short walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some tiny animals. Meet at Lime Kiln Cottage Information Centre at 10am for a 2 hour walk with the warden.

Marsh Meander Cycle Ride A six hour circular ride from Rye out onto the Romney Marsh. Part of the route will be following the NCN2 off road section past Camber Sands to Lydd and then onto quiet marsh roads before heading back to Rye along the Royal Military road. There will be a pub stop on route. Pre booking desirable - 01797 226488 meet at : Rye Railway Station @ 10.30. Leader: Simon Fathers ESCC. Suitable for all bikes. Train to start point, refreshment stop.

Grassland Management and Footpaths, Romney Warren Country Park Sheep have been grazing the site over the winter to help maintain the sand dune grassland, benefiting the plant and insect species. Help us reduce the problem plants (ie ragwort), maintain the footpaths and there may even be a few fence repairs as well! LEADER: Mark Tuson, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07971 276698). MEET: 9.30am Dover, 9.50am Wood Avenue, 10.00am Folkestone, 10.15am Red Lion Hotel, Hythe, 10.30am Ocean Inn, Dymchurch or 10.40am at New Romney Warren car park, between New Romney and St. Mary’s Bay, by the railway bridge off the A259 (TR 078 261).

Tree World 2 - 4pm Hastings Country Park Visitors Centre

Sunset birding walk in Brede High Woods Led by Cliff Dean for the Woodland Trust. The events are free to attend, but book up very quickly so please reserve your place by emailing: learning@woodlandtrust.org.uk For more information contact James Luxton on 08452935734 or email: jamesluxton@woodlandtrust.org.uk

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Thursday 3rd June

Beginners Birdwatching easy circular walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some special birds. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10.30am for a 2 hour walk with the warden.

Pond Dipping at Castle Water with the warden to look at some freshwater animals. Meet at Brede Lock at 2pm until 5pm.

Pond dipping at RSPB Dungeness 2pm - 3.30pm Our water creatures have spent the winter and spring resting down in the depths of the pond – now they are awake just in time for us to have a close look into their world. Booking essential - see below.

Birds and Breakfast 7.30am - 10am Hastings Country Park Visitors Centre
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Friday 4th June

Sand Sculptures bring buckets, spades, shovels to make your own designs or shapes based on local wildlife. Work on your own, with friends, or get together with other sculptors! Meet on the beach opposite the toilets at Dog’s Hill Road, Winchelsea Beach at 10am-midday. OS TQ918161. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pond dipping at RSPB Dungeness 2pm - 3.30pm Our water creatures have spent the winter and spring resting down in the depths of the pond – now they are awake just in time for us to have a close look into their world. Booking essential - see below.

A Day at Castle Water 10:30 - 15:30 This fantastic nature reserve in Rye Harbour is good for birds throughout the year. Join SWT staff and volunteers and identify birds and other wildlife around the Caste Water hide. There’s also a chance to pond dip next to the hide where medicinal leeches can be found. Bring binoculars. Castle Water is signposted from Harbour Road, follow footpath signs to the hide or the longer route through Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Grid Map Ref: TQ 942189. Toilets at Harbour Road. Buses regularly along the A259 stopping at Harbour Road. Donations appreciated. Contact on day of event 07884 494982.

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Saturday 5th June

Shrimping use the reserve’s shrimp nets to discover what lives in the low-tide shallows - not just shrimps, but crabs and flatfish! Our catch will be examined in trays but returned safely to the sea. Water-friendly footwear essential because of Weaver Fish. Meet on the beach opposite the toilets at Dog’s Hill Road, Winchelsea Beach at 10am-midday. OS TQ918161. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Harrier watch at RSPB Dungeness 11am - 1pm. In the past two years marsh harriers have bred successfully at RSPB Dungeness. Join us as we watch to see if they will nest and raise young again this year. We will look out for breeding activity as we walk round the nature trail and spend time watching over the reed beds, the typical nesting habitat for harriers. Booking essential - see below.

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Sunday 6th June

Discover Moths meet at Lime Kiln Cottage Information Centre at 9am to look at the previous night’s catch in the moth trap with the warden.

Beginners Birdwatching easy circular walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to look at some special birds. Meet at Rye Harbour car park at 10.30am for 2 hour walk with the warden.

A Romney Marsh Meander An easy, gentle rural pedal around the quiet country lanes of the Romney Marsh. Leaving Appledore, we will cycle past Fairfield church, before snaking our way back, over the Canal and into Appledore. The route is nearly all flat and we will be keeping an eye out for some Marsh wildlife en route. This event is part of the Rye Wildlife Festival. Donation appreciated. LEADER: Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Project (01797 367934 or 07770 670316). MEET: 2pm at Appledore church, which is next to the Black Lion pub, Appledore. Please park in the free Appledore Village Hall car park and walk/cycle down the road to the church. DISTANCE: 16 miles (3 hours).

Time To Listen 3-4pm Church of the Holy Spirit, Harbour Road, Rye Harbour. Readings From Nature Writers: artist Roz Cran will read selected excerpts from Nature writers including John Berger and Kathleen Jamie. A quiet time to sit and listen. In Remembrance: artist, Sinéid Codd will remind listeners of the birds who were sighted and shot in the area in pursuance of their rarity value by local hunters during the years of the Hastings Rarities (1890 – 1930). This event links with the forthcoming exhibition, The Hastings Rarities Affair at Hastings Museum & Gallery opening September 2010, funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council.
Free. No need to book.

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RSPB DUNGENESS BOOKING DETAILS - Adults £6.00, concessions £4.00, children £3.00. There is a 50% discount for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members. Accompanying adults gain free entry to family events. Where booking is essential please call in to the Visitor Centre or ring us on 01797 320588..
MORE EVENTS BEING ADDED, BUT CLICK HERE TO SEE LAST YEAR’S EVENTS.