Three moments of joy at Rye Harbour in 2023

Matt Rich

Ranger, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

These are three moments on the reserve this year that brought me joy. 

Discovering a new species for Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: Long-tailed Blue Butterfly

My heart fluttered on 6 July 2023 when I saw a pale blue object sitting on some bramble (it always flutters when I see a blue butterfly anyway) Did I know what it was straight away? No, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t any of our local blue butterflies. Seeing the tail on the end I had a quick thought of a Hairstreak butterfly, but again no, it was blue so it couldn't be. I wondered, what is this new blue butterfly? Have I found something new, and should I be this excited? Yes! Not a bad way to get people within the Trust (and outside) to remember your name.

Sharing a passion for wildlife

Who doesn’t love passion, who isn’t drawn in by someone who genuinely has a true excitement for what they do? At Rye Harbour Nature Reserve this unashamed passion and knowledge is shared freely, from the winter waders and summer migrants to the spectacular arachnids or buzzing bees - there is someone at Rye Harbour who would be happy to share what they know and make your experience even more enjoyable.

Big Bird

Seeing the Osprey on the reserve in August. Watching a bird of prey that was once extinct in the UK (1900) with a solitary couple making a stand in Scotland in 1955. Since then, a huge amount of effort has been put in by dedicated conservationists around the UK and numbers have bounced back. This was my first British Osprey and it was amazing to see it in action fishing in front of the Discovery Centre, but also nice to see what positive change conservation can bring.