Spot the Difference in the Discovery Centre

Katherine Crowther
, 02 December 2022
Spot the Difference in the Discovery Centre
Katherine Crowther

Can you see them? 

Now fixed to the front seating area of the Lime Kiln Cafe, overlooking the saltmarsh, are five fabulous pairs of Opticron binoculars. Alongside the interpretation and information boards, these are in just the right place for visitors to pick up and enjoy an enhanced view of the reserve - and to be able to spot the reserve’s wonderful wildlife and birdlife in detail. The binoculars were purchased thanks to the Discover Rye Harbour project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Lucy Bowyer, Senior Communities and Wildlife Officer at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, said: ‘When designing the interpretation funded by the National Lottery, we really wanted to find ways to help people learn more about our wildlife and what makes this place so special. Having this opportunity to sit, have a cup of coffee and cake and enjoy a closer look at the wildlife adds to this. After all, there are not many places where you can get a cup of coffee along with a view of Kingfisher, Spoonbill and Little Egret!’

The binoculars were installed on 24th November, by Assistant Manager Rowan Bunney, who explained:

 ‘Many of our visitors get a welcome surprise when they see what an excellent view we have from the café windows and by how much birdlife can be seen from inside the centre. The Opticron binoculars that are out for visitors to use are part of the range that we sell in the shop so, if people really like what they see, they can find out more from our retail staff and volunteers and perhaps even purchase a pair of their own.’

In fact, the installation proved very timely for the most recent Guide in a Hide event on 27th November. These events usually focus on the Gooders Hide but this time around, with plenty of volunteer guides on hand, brand new binoculars in the café and pretty appalling weather, the event was extended to include the Discovery Centre too.

Paul Cherry, a Guide-in-a-Hide volunteer in the Discovery Centre on the day, explained the difference that the binoculars made for would-be birders. ‘One visitor was peering out of the window and listening to what I was telling another visitor. I later suggested that she might like to try the centre’s binoculars, to bring the birds much closer so they would be easier to identify. She was delighted as, no sooner had she picked them up, the Kingfisher appeared and she was able to enjoy watching it for several minutes. I left her to do that and, a couple of minutes later, she came over and said she would like to buy a pair!’

The binoculars are now a fixture and available to use every day, not just for scheduled activities and events, making it possible for regular and new café visitors to share the joy of spotting something special too. One week on and a lunchtime visitor to the café shared: ‘I’ve just had my first ever, really clear view of a kingfisher!’ Having forgotten to bring her own binoculars with her, she was extremely happy to use the new binoculars in the Discovery Centre whilst having her lunch and was glad to offer feedback on her experience: ‘It’s 10/10 for me,’ she said.

‘It adds to the enjoyment,’ said another visitor. ‘I’m very impressed with the reserve and the Discovery Centre and will definitely come again.’

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