RSPB Rye Meads, 2nd June 2026

The recent very hot weather has now broken, replaced by sun and heavy local showers. I decided to take a risk and pop down to Rye Meads, where there is plenty of cover if it rains. And rain it did! Thunder and lightning which didn't stop this Coot going about its business.

Here's a short video as well.

Before getting to the Kingfisher Hub I spotted two Red Crested Pochards at the Draper hide and another two at the Gadwall hide. Here's one of them.

Before the rain started, there were a number of Dragonflies on the wing including Hairy, Emperor and lots of Norfolk Hawkers or Green-eyed Hawkers as they are now known. Fun trying to get them in flight.

This female came in close to lay her eggs, gradually reversing into the water.

Back at the Kingfisher Hub, the Kingfishers successfully raised their first brood with the youngsters now dispersed. I believe the female is now back on eggs. The male made an appearance, perching briefly on the middle perch. For a male it does have a little bit of red on the bill.

Typically, I had packed my gear away and was just leaving when the male reappeared with a fish. The female came out onto the perch, but refused the fish offering and they both departed! However, before that, the resident Grey Heron had taken up position in front of the new nest bank and caught a Newt.

And one final update - The Kestrel chicks seem to be doing well, I believe three in total. The parents were keeping an eye on them, with the female favouring a tree to the left of the pylon.

A lovely couple of hours! Most people will already be aware, but the RSPB are pulling out of the reserve and handing it back to the owner, which is Thames Water. An incredibly short sighted move which reflects badly on the organisation as not only is it their only reserve in Hertfordshire, it is a wildlife lifeline for lots of people in London who can easily access the reserve by public transport.