Morning all,
I hope that you are well today! Are you enjoying your August Bank Holiday so far?
I just wanted to do a blog to let you know what's going on, what's been seen and all the latest updates! I've split this blog as it was turning into one super blog - check here to find out what wildlife has been spotted so far!
It's not just the wildlife that has been busy - all the fabulous staff and volunteers have been working hard to make sure that the reserve is the best for wildlife, and for people to enjoy the wildlife! You may have noticed that there's a section of the woodland that has been closed (the bit that I've circled on this map)
The fabulous work party team have been working hard to replace sections of the boardwalk - this is a big task! We've been removing sections of the boardwalk that have started to rot, and we are creating and extending the gravel path (this week we are expecting 40 tonnes of gravel chipping that are amazing team are going to put out!)
The team have also deep cleaned the Shooting Butts Hide! What started as a quick job to clean the windows turned into the whole team cleaning every surface, window, door and floor!
A huge thank you to the staff and volunteers that are working so hard!
The 20% off the big sacks of seed offer is about to start in the shop - get in quick to stock up on your bird food, the offer runs Monday 31 August - Sunday 6 September only!
We've also announced some exciting new events and activities that are coming up soon:
The Mini Fair, on Sunday 6 Spetember, now has over 20 stalls including various photographers, arts and crafts, candles, shabby chic, jewellery, Carim's Insect artwork, plants, NT Rainham Hall, Froglife, Essex & Suffolk Water, a facepainter, the local RSPB Groups, fossils, an acapella group and Alex and her amazing Jamaican cooking. And all of this on top of our usual wildlife spectacle, café, shop and optics event!
Click here for more details.
Cows and Magpies by Joan Burton
There are just a few more spaces for the Bat and Moth Night on Friday 11 September! Come and find some of our fabulous nocturnal wildlife, we'll have the bat detectors and moth traps - just bring yourself! (As the spaces are filling quickly for this event, you do need to ring in advance to guarantee your space).
For more details, and how to book check here.
Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)
This autumn and winter you can come along to our brand new series of events: Talks on the Wild Side.On the last Friday of the month we shall be hosting an illustrated talk so why not come along and hear tales from some of our other reserves and adventures from far flung places - each talk will feature a different special guest speaker.7 pm for 7.30 pm start. Finish c9.30pm. There will be interval and the opportunity to ask questions at the end.The first talk will be on Friday 25 September, from our own Site Manager, Andrew Gouldstone, about our very own RSPB Rainham Marshes! Andrew will be enlightening you on the continued transformation of the reserve from MoD firing range to restored Medieval wetland...
For more details, and how to book (as the seating spaces are limited) check here.
Picture by Barry Jones
Get active in nature with Rainham Marshes!
We are working with Sport England to create some amazing activities here at the reserve - you'll be able to hire bikes to explore the sea wall, go on a guided bike ride, climb on boulders (from very easy never climbed before to competent climbers who are wanting to push their grade V0-V5), join a running club, or learn to run... and there will be more to come!
Get active in nature at Rainham Marshes! Sign up to our first running session at Rainham Marshes on Saturday 26 September. There are two running distances available - 3km or 5km - with stops along the way to take in the wonderful views and the sounds of nature. Meet at 9:30 am for the 5km run and 11:00am for the 3km run. Enjoy the refreshments in the café after your work out! For more information and to book ring 01708 899847. Keep an eye out for a regular running club, cycle hire, climbing boulders and more events! It's free - these first session are free there will be a small charge of £1-£2 for the regular sessions Picture by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
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Don't forget - tomorrow is a Bank Holiday....
Not only is it a Bank Holiday, it's tall ship day!
The Tall Ships returned to Royal Greenwich for five days this August Bank Holiday, as up to 15 Tall Ships dropped anchor for a maritime family festival at Woolwich Arsenal Riverside.
The fleet are being waved off from Greenwich on Monday 31 August from 2pm as the ships leave in an elegant parade - so we think that they will be passing us any time from 3pm (weather depending, but we think 3-4 pm).
We should see the 16 ships passing by - including this one that Howard snapped heading into London earlier in the week:
The Loth Lorian
As it's Bank Holiday and the Tall Ships are passing by the reserve and car park will be staying open until 6pm.
See you soon,
Lou