On the 10th December we are launching our first challenge in The Steps Series. Join us to walk the equivalent of a Water Pipit's migration route from the Alps! Can you help RSPB Rainham Marshes keep up with this magnificent species?
Water Pipit - Russ Sherriff
The Steps Series is a set of challenges – everyone can help us walk or run the same distance as a migratory route of one of Rainham’s wildlife visitors, or even distances to places - all your steps can count!Get outdoors and active – great for your health and a great way to explore . Rainham Marshes is a perfect place to explore if you are trying to walk or run a certain distance or number of steps, or just get outside to enjoy the fresh air. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
For this first series we are trying as a whole reserve to match the distance that a water pipit flies on its migratory route, from the Alps to Rainham Marshes (536 miles or 1,179,200 steps!), all your steps count!Water pipits are scarce winter visitors to Rainham, they are a small bird that is about the same size as a sparrow. They visit the reserve from the mountains of central Europe. This time of year they have brown on the head and back, and a streaky pattern on the breast. In the spring the head goes a lovely shade of steely blue and they get a nice pink breast too before they head off to breed in the Alps (which is 536 miles away!)Rainham Marshes is a fantastic place for water pipits – you can often see them out on the muddy edges of the pools where they hunt for insects. In winter we manage the pools and waterways on site to make them good places for wildlife; the muddy edges are good for birds looking for insects in the mud, and the open water is good for a variety of ducks and geese.
Ben Andrews (rspb-images.com)
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.Each Step Series will focus on a different element, and all of your steps will go to the reserve’s total – can you help us reach our goal?Borrow one of our pedometers, use your smart phone,or if you have Fitbits, Garmins, Tomtoms, Apple watches, Samsung gear or other trackers, use those to record your steps.
Perfect for those trying to reach their activity or step goals! One loop of the main trail is about 5,000 steps! Clock up your steps on your walk or run from the 10 December and then report back to the reception desk to log your steps! Let’s see how quickly we can complete our migration!