More than kingfishers to see at RSPB Rye Meads nature reserve near Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire

Columnist Jono Forgham travels a little further afield for a Nature Notes Christmas special

As has become a Christmas tradition, last week I wandered further than my regular five miles radius from Bishop’s Stortford town centre as I set off for the RSPB’s Rye Meads reserve near Hoddesdon.

The main attraction at this reserve are the breeding kingfishers, viewed from the Kingfisher Hub, a comfortable and spacious hide where views of these amazingly colourful birds can be had, often from a close proximity. However, there is much more to the reserve and its ornithological inhabitants.

The reserve boasts a fine array of hides, all giving great views over open water and reed beds. Wildfowl and lapwings can be seen in good numbers as well as large, overwintering flocks of black-headed gulls.

I arrived just after a storm and found most birds had moved on, but there was still plenty to keep me occupied. The sky was battleship grey, so many of the photos accompanying this piece were taken over the previous few months.

I entered the reception area on arrival. A board here lists what has been seen on the reserve and volunteers will give you more details of these sightings and where they were made. Hot and cold drinks are available here, with picnic benches outside.

A short walk to the first hide, the Draper Hide. From here a good selection of birds can be seen, such as coots and little grebes diving for their food along with tufted ducks. The latter specialise on eating water snails and have a beak that helps prise the molluscs from their shell. The grebes feed upon small fish and dragonfly larvae whilst the coot is happy with pond weed species. Consequently, these three species can be found together as they are not in competition for food.

Pochards are regular visitors, the male a colourful bird with a grey body and bright, deep red head and neck. From this vantage point I witnessed a black-headed gull being harassed by a larger lesser black-backed gull which was intent on taking the food from the smaller gull.

Stock doves perched in a nearby willow and in the distance, by the expansive reedbed, a little egret and a whole armada of shovelers. Overhead, a large flock of lapwings wheeled about, flashing white and black as they turned en masse. Good to see such large numbers of this large wader, a member of the plover group.

I headed off, passing through the tunnel of trees where several long-tailed tits wisped and flitted through the willows. A chiffchaff called its “wheet, wheet” call. I include a photo here from September in much better light.

Down a few steps and into a small viewpoint that overlooks reeds. Occasionally a well-camouflaged common snipe can be seen here. In the summer months, reed and sedge warblers will be busy nesting and, if very lucky, you can get a view of a bearded reedling.

A great spotted woodpecker called so I went in pursuit. The sky cleared briefly, making for a well-lit photo of a female, showing no red colours on the nape.

By now I was near a pair of hides, the Tern and the Gadwall. From the latter, a large number of black-headed gulls. I went through these to check for other species. Just a few lesser black-backed and a single juvenile herring gull. Occasionally, a Mediterranean gull can be seen here.

To my right, a grey heron stood motionless in the shallows. As if to confirm the name of the hide as appropriate, a pair of gadwalls swam close by. As the light was still fine, I managed a few photos of these well-marked birds as they enjoyed a few moments of warmth before they decided it was time to head out to deeper water for a good wash.

I then made my way to the nearby Tern Hide, but in the morning the sun shines straight into this hide and most birds seen are little more than backlit silhouettes. I did manage a glimpse of several cormorants and great crested grebes.

Back onto the path, followed soon after by gaining access to a boardwalk through reedbeds and bordered by even more willows. A family group of mute swans seemed totally unperturbed as I strolled by, heading towards the Kingfisher Hub. Several years ago I encountered a lesser spotted woodpecker from this boardwalk, a rare bird for Hertfordshire these days.

Outside the hub is a fine carving of a kingfisher with its fish prey. Inside, there are large windows as well as the usual slats for viewing. There are a few strategically placed sticks stuck into the pond. These are for the kingfishers to use for hunting where they dive for fish. No kingfishers had been reported that day and none were present whilst I was there, so included here is a photo from September depicting a pair. The female sports a red lower mandible whilst the male’s bill is all black. At the back, as I checked the kestrel nesting box for any roosting raptors, a magpie came down for a drink, creating a splendid reflection on the water.

After half an hour of waiting patiently, I returned to the path where I came across a very confiding muntjac feeding upon nettles. These mammals must have tongues and mouths made of boiled leather!

A festive robin popped up for a photo as I headed back to the reception, checking the trees as I went. More long-tailed tits as well as a calling goldcrest.

Back at the centre, I asked about the recent publicity from the RSPB of certain cut backs and closures. Presently, Rye Meads reserve is earmarked for the RSPB to pull out of managing and running it. Whilst not yet a 100% certainty, it is highly likely that the whole reserve will pass on to a new organisation. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has been mentioned as a possible new administrator.

There is a well-signed petition going around requesting the RSPB to think again. It would be a real shame to lose this local bird reserve, but it must also be pointed out that on many occasions when I visit there are very few other birders present, which obviously generates very little income to make the reserve financially viable. I hope some solution can be found that will please all parties.

I have been visiting here for almost 40 years and in that time have seen a wide variety of bird species. Some time ago it was also a leading educational reserve, with school children attending on regular trips to pond dip and study the birds. Again, a pity to lose such an important educational faculty.

In my days as a primary school teacher, I always enjoyed a day visit with my class. The pond dipping was the best in the whole area, with a vast array of invertebrates netted and studied. The children, if lucky and very quiet, could also get the opportunity to watch superb water voles in the pond where they were dipping.

The RSPB is looking at a one-year strategy for this reserve so I would encourage readers to visit on a regular basis to see if the bird charity will have a change of heart. I would like to think so.

Finally, may I wish all readers a very happy Christmas and a wonderful new year. See you in 2025.