A quick post to tempt you to the reserve this weekend...

Highlights from today...

On the 13^th January 2011 Dominic Mitchell discovered a strange large gull on the landfill adjacent to the reserve. He had a very good idea of what he had found and by that evening the news was out that the very first slaty-backed gull this side of the Atlantic had be identified.  They normally live around the Pacific in Japan and west coast America so this was big news in the birding world.

Dominic Mitchell

The next day…

Kerry was up doing some safety checks on the roof of the Centre first thing this morning... just look at that fabulous winter view across the Thames and Marsh!

community.rspb.org.uk/.../6215.7411.kerry-view.mp4

So much better than this yesterday!

It may be the early days of January but if you look around there are still insects to see. Two moth species have already been found in the Visitor Centre with the subtle little Agonopterix alstromeriana on the 1st and then on the 10th a delightful, tiny bejewelled Esperia sulphurella was fluttering against the window.  This cute little day flying moth is not normally on the wing until March at the earliest, so it was quite…

Over the years RSPB Rainham Marshes has become a well know staging post for Black-tailed Godwits migrating to and from their Icelandic breeding grounds.  Some years we have had up to 700 wintering on our stretch of the Thames with many thousands more as you head out towards Southend. 

Colour ringed birds are seen from time to time and this well travelled female was photographed on the 1^st of January by Alan Shearman.  Right…

Ornithological Summary December 2021

RSPB Rainham Marshes:

The Cattle Egrets must have got wind that the cows were leaving for the winter as the last one was seen on the 3rd the week before they left. With mild conditions there was not much change in wildfowl numbers but a hint of east brought in a flock of 15 skittish Barnacle Geese that headed north.

Barnacle Geese - Mark Vale

Five more dropped in on the 21^st and…

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas!

  Rainham's visitor centre by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Just a little reminder:

Christmas and New Year Opening Times....

Christmas Eve - we will be closing at 2pm.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day - Rainham Marshes will be closed.

27 December - 3 January - the reserve will be open as usual (9.30 am-4.30 pm).

If you’ve not already taken part in our exclusive #RobinRobin trail and activities, why not bring the family along this #Christmas holidays for a fun-filled adventure.

 https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/9992

Ornithological Summary November 2021

RSPB Rainham Marshes:

The Cattle Egret duo became five on the 2nd and by the 7th there were ten following around the cows with at least three making it through to December.  This was a new site record and a taste of things to come I think while Great White Egrets were seen on five single dates. A single Barnacle Goose (9th) was seen with the vast Canada flock and a couple of Scoter…

Our friends over at Blean have an exciting event coming up that we wanted to let you know about!

Coffee, creatures and crafts, the perfect excuse to visit the woods in winter. On 18 December come and celebrate the wonderful wildlife of Blean Woods at the Winter Fayre, with Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.

A selection of stalls, crafts, activities and games for all ages – and learn more about what Kent Wildlife Trust…

From 6 December the reserve will be opening on Mondays once again. This means we will be open Monday-Sunday, seven days per week.

The visitor centre, café, shop, toilets, reserve trails and hides will be open every day 9.30 am-4.30pm (till 1st February when it reverts to a 5pm closure)

Please note that on week days during December the café will be running a limited service due to staffing levels – snacks, cakes…

(Aardman/Netflix)

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We’re delighted to be partnering with Netflix and Aardman on Robin Robin, a half-hour, stop-motion, festive story for the whole family, about a young robin trying to fit in. It’s debuting on Netflix on 24 November – get the date in your diary! 

To celebrate, we’re inviting you to join exclusive Robin Robin-themed adventure trails right here at RSPB Rainham Marshes this Christmas season. 

Over…

On both Thursday 11th and Sunday 14th November we shall be observing the two minutes silence on the reserve. If you are here at those times please kindly join the staff and volunteers in a few moments of quiet reflection. Thank you in advance

RSPB Rainham Marshes:

Many of the good species from late September lingered into October with the Pectoral Sandpiper staying until the 10^th and once again there was a fine selection of big white birds.  The two Cattle Egrets became four on the 17^th and five from the next day while Great White Egrets were seen on several dates with two on the 29^th at least.  A Spoonbill dropped in on the 9^th and 10^th and the East Tilbury…

We are looking for somebody with energy, vision and a passion for wildlife to lead our work at Dungeness & Lydden Valley!

Click below for more detaiils of this amazing opportunity

https://app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Careers/CareersPage.aspx?e=LMo8nnTwYNbXxVR0B3mmmRF6QW5Vf2-SvjkyhnBg-8PhwpR3Dja5A6IoEhtWSg3OBsy1oJw6CiI&iframe=True

Autumn is over and winter is coming and the reserve opening hours are now 9.30am to 4.30pm from 1 November through to the 31 January but we are still currently closed on Mondays. Sunsets this time of year can be epic...

Picture by Howard Vaughan

It's been nice for wildlife recently - the cattle egrets are showing nicely, wintering duck numbers are building up - and we had the Dartford Warbler showing over the weekend…

RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve Optics Event 30^th and 31^st October 21

Some ideas...

Are planning a Winter getaway as Covid restrictions ease?  Do you need new light weight optic to fit into your luggage. Looking for a Christmas present or just fancy treating yourself?

Check out our range of RSPB, Opticron and Viking light weight telescopes.

RSPB Avocet 50mm Compact scope

This truly compact and fully waterproof birdwatching…

Just a reminder - the reserve car park at Old Hall Marshes (Maldon) will be closed tomorrow Tuesday 26 October for important resurfacing work to the car park and access track, apologies for any inconvenience.

(Image - Andy Hay rspb-images.com)

Please be aware the reserve car park at Old Hall Marshes (Maldon) will be closed on Tuesday 26 October for important resurfacing work to the car park and access track, apologies for any inconvenience.

(Image - Andy Hay http://rspb-images.com)

With largely westerly air flow autumn migration has been quite slow in recent weeks but in recent days the first Redwings, Bramblings, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls have been noted and there are more Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks around.  Scandinavian Rock Pipits and Water Pipits are now back for the winter in small numbers and Stonechats have materialised including the weird white throated male that was here…

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that the bicycles will not be available to hire on Tuesday 5 October, they have already been hired for the day!

You can always bring your own bicycles to explore the riverwall section of the reserve - or ask us about hiring bikes on another day!