Rainham Marshes

Our Great Crested Grebes have been performing their courtship dances on the Purfleet scrape in the sunshine this week....its an amazing site. Thank you to Sean Mulqueen for the pictures. 

The days are getting longer and our opening hours are changing.... 

There have been over 95 Bird species spotted on the reserve in January with the hi- lights being the Dartford Warbler, the Short-Eared Owl, Barn Owl and the Goosander. Please click on the post to see the full list. 

Avocet Gadwall Harrier - Marsh Pochard Thrush - Mistle Bearded Tit/Reedling Godwit - Black-tailed Jackdaw Raven Thrush - Song Blackbird Goldcrest Jay Red Kite Tit - Blue Bunting - Reed Goldfinch …

Please find below our sightings for December....January to follow shortly. Please come and see us in February to see what you can see.... 

December Sightings                    Avocet Gadwall Jackdaw Raven Tit - Blue Bearded Tit/Reedling Godwit - Bar-tailed Jay Red Kite Tit - Great Blackbird Godwit - Black-tailed Kestrel Redpoll Tit - Long-tailed Bunting - Reed Goldeneye Kingfisher Redshank Tufted Duck Buzzard -…

RSPB Rainham Marshes Cafe and shop will be permanently closing at the end of business on Sunday 2nd February.

We will temporarily be closing the top half of the Visitor Centre for the whole of February whilst this area is reconfigured. The reserve trails, car park and toilets will be open as normal but entry will temporarily be via the side of the building through the garden gate. Our Welcome area will be moved to the…

Our Marsh Harriers continue to be active at all times of the day  - thanks to Andy Reid for the photo.  

The Dartford Warbler continues to be spotted from the Sea wall lower path - thanks to Jim Camball for this wonderful picture  

Widgeon,and Pintails taken by Jim Camball from the Purfleet Hide. Black tailed Godwits, and a collection of various wildfowl both taken by Andy Reid also from the Purfleet Hide. 

To ensure our longer-term sustainability, the RSPB has reviewed its operations across the UK so that everything we do aligns to our charitable and strategic aims and delivers the most impact for nature and wildlife possible. We must focus on what we do best and where we can do this most effectively, with the resources available to us.

Our most recent challenge has been the global and domestic financial pressures of the…

Long- Billed Dowitcher still on the reserve showing nicely by itself today without the Black Tailed Godwits. Photo credit to Andy Reid from yesterdays sighting. So you know what to look for.

A lovely Dartford Warbler was spotted on the reserve at the weekend thank you to Mark Lymer for the photograph. Hot off the press a Long - Billed Dowitcher has been spotted on reserve today. It may not hang around too long....

Autumn is truly upon us, A Short Eared Owl has been spotted on the reserve on the southern track. No photos as of yet.  

Fieldfare flew over and Redwing have been spotted in the woodland.

Widgeon, Gadwall, Pintail, Pochard ,Tufted Duck have all been spotted with Widgeon and Gadwall gathering in numbers. 

Black Tailed Godwits, Avocet, Curlew are all present (when the tide is high on Thames)  on the Purfleet Scrape. As well…

As the nights start to draw in......

 

Spotted Flycatcher seen in the Woodlands area near the Cordite. This lovely shot by Sean Mulqueen was taken on Saturday 14th September 

 

Wall Brown Butterfly spotted on the Reserve from Shooting Butts Hide and on the fence just near the numbers on Friday 13th September and over the weekend. Photo credit to Andy Reid. 

 

Honey Buzzard, Osprey and Merlin have all been spotted over the reserve in the last two days...Thanks to Russ Sherriff for the great captures of the Honey Buzzard and the Osprey.

Here are some of our beautiful dragonflies captured by Andy Reid at the reserve . The Lesser Emperors were captured in June , Southern Migrant Hawker (Blue eyed), the Ruddy Darter and the Migrant Hawker all captured in August.  

Our male Kingfisher continues to put on quite a show at the Marshland Discovery Zone Hide - Thanks  to John Humble for this stunning photograph.

Great White Egret showing well at the Purfleet Hide on Monday 5th August . Photo Credit to John Humble

Norfolk Hawker spotted on Thursday 18th July alongside a Scarce Chaser ( no photo at this stage)  both rare for our Reserve.

Brown Hairstreak rare to this region seen in the car park w/e of the 13/14th July