Rainham Marshes

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

Thank -you to John Humble for the pictures of the Bearded Reedling and the Reed Warbler 

Thanks to John Humble for the photos of our lovely Kingfisher and the Woodchat Shrike 

Car parking charges will be introduced at the Purfleet Visitor Centre for RSPB Rainham Marshes from Monday 8 January 2024. Parking will remain free for RSPB members and Blue Badge holders. There will also no longer be a charge to enter the reserve itself. Find out all you need to know in this blog.

Just a friendly reminder that starting tomorrow, November 1st, 2023, the Reserve will be closing at 4 pm. Please make a note of this change in schedule. Thank you.

Looking for unique activities this October half-term? Join us at RSPB Rainham Marshes for fun and educational experiences. Book tickets at https://events.rspb.org.uk/rainhammarshes

Our winter hours will change from November 1st.

Our Highlights so far this month has been Hoopoe, 12 Glossy Ibis, A pair of Black-winged Stilts and Black tern

On the 7th of June the visitor centre and reserve will be closed due to staff training we will resume our normal working hours 9.30-5pm on the 8th of June. We thank you for your paitence and continued support. RSPB Rainham Marshes Team 

Volunteering Opportunities at Rainham Marshes

 

 

          We have volunteering opportunities at Rainham Marshes that suit everyone.

Our micro volunteering allows you to volunteer for a couple of hours a week, this would include opening and closing our hides. It would give you the opportunity to go round the reserve and open the hides for our visitors before they arrive or go round in the eventing to close the hides.

 

We also have…