Guide in a Hide is part of the Discover Rye Harbour project, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund through Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT)
The Discover Rye Harbour project offers a range of community engagement activities, encouraging visitors to learn a little more about the special wildlife at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The Guide in a Hide activity involves a team of volunteers sharing telescopes and binoculars with visitors, to give really close up views of the birds on the reserve and explain a little about their behaviour and migration routes.
The team bases itself in and around the Gooders hide, just a short distance from the discovery centre. Since last August, the volunteers have been delighted to meet over 2,000 visitors: locals who know the reserve really well, people on holiday and day trips from all over the UK, and tourists from as far away as Australia.
Linda Wren has been co-ordinating these events, as part of a team of volunteers from SWT and the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, and said that it has been a really exciting project to be involved with. She says: “It has been a revelation to see people, especially the children, enjoying close up views of the birds, and leaving with a smile on their faces. That is really what this is all about!”
Here are just a few of the terrific comments they have received: -
- “So cool to be shown all the lovely different birds by the volunteers: bringing it all to life.”
- “Fabulous and very friendly.”
- “Lots of useful information, it definitely inspired me.”
- “What a brilliant idea, thank you.”
- “Really helpful to have the different birds pointed out and to learn about them: starlings, avocets, whimbrel, ringed plovers and meadow pipit.”
If you would like to come along to a Guide in a Hide event (they are free) the next dates are: Saturday, July 16; Monday, August 1; Friday, August 26 and Sunday, September 25.
If you enjoy meeting and talking to people, bird-watching, and have some knowledge and identification ability, you could become part of this dedicated band of volunteers. Please email ryeswtvolunteering@sussexwt.org.uk.
