I spoke to Mike Charlton and Tina Cook, who were visiting the discovery centre from Yorkshire. As they sat drinking coffee overlooking the reserve, they were thrilled to find that there were smart new binoculars for them to use to watch the birds.
Their feedback was: “The discovery centre could have provided any binoculars and we’d have been grateful, but the ones on offer are really excellent quality [they are the Opticron 8×42 model]. We think it’s a great idea. We have been so bowled over by the centre and all it has to offer. The café food is so tempting. This is our second visit in three days.
“Sussex Wildlife Trust needs to be congratulated on such a spectacular visitor centre. We were impressed by the free access to the hides, each giving a different perspective on the reserve. We are keen birders and travel to lots of reserves, but this is far superior to many we have visited. It has been thought out so well, even down to the toilets.”
Rowan Bunney, assistant manager of the discovery centre, who has been instrumental in the installation of the binoculars, was pleased to know that they are already being appreciated by visitors. She said: “Looking through binoculars can really highlight things that you haven’t noticed before and I hope that they will be a useful tool in allowing our staff and volunteers to engage with visitors to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in even better ways”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .