Paul Samuels has featured on here before with his wonderful vignettes of Rainham life...

This is the first in a series of films that he will create throughout the year as an introduction to our reserve.

Magic...

www.youtube.com/watch

30-11-13

Peregrines are back to very much being a feature of the marsh this time of year and there is a really good chance of you bumping into at least one on your visit. I have been keeping tabs on all the comings and goings and (with help from Dave Morrison) I reckon that we have at least eight different birds using the marsh to hunt for prey. Checking the pylons is a good bet, especially the top of the tallest ones.  If you…

As you probably all know, the anti-predator fence was a fantastic success this year with our best Lapwing and Redshank productivity ever. We still have Foxes of course; they do have a place here, just not inside the fence!

Bill Crooks found this fine animal peering in from the outside....

30-11-13

Unlike our Marsh Frogs that hibernate in the bottom of the ditches, our Smooth Newts leave the water and look for a safe dry, warm spot above ground to doze away the winter months. Clive Watts found this adult making its way across the path on Wednesday.

Bit of a Giving Nature a Home thing going on here and with winter well on the way, pop out in the garden this weekend and create a small hibernaculum out of an old…

Visitors got some good footage of the Water Rail by the Dragonfly Pool last week. It had a good preen out in the open before heading on its way. These birds have got quite used to us being on the trails now and although finding one in the open is pure luck, they do tend to stay around a bit more nowadays!

Bill Crooks photo...

29-11-13

Ron Weasel showed very well yesterday and today out on the trails... poking his head under the kick board on the walkway to check out what was going on. Dave Blackwell got this awesome shot  before he went on his way.

The female Merlin has also been seen again today and a pair of Goldeneye were seen again on the river at hightide.

26-11-13

Afternoon everyone,

How are you today?

Did you know that groups can visit the reserve? Well you can!

If you want to bring your group to explore you would be very welcome - you can either explore for yourselves or you can book a special group visit!

For self guided/ exploring groups give us a call on 01708 899840 or email rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk as we like to know that your are planning a visit!

But why not…

Morning all... Another Saturday and the sky is blue and the wind has dropped. Hopefully there will be some good stuff out on the reserve today. Yesterday was a lovely day after some early spots and although there was not the hoped for immigration of goodies like Thursday, it was still a good day with the female Merlin being seen several times but different people, mostly around the west end of the river wall and up towards…

And please do not start whistling that Scorpions song from 1991.....

Cold fresh air from the north-east et voila!

After the early morning rain battering once again, it brightened into a blustery but chilly day and as hoped there were some new arrivals. Wigeon numbers have already crept up this week with about 600 now on the pools in gregarious whistling flocks and Dunlin likewise increased today to about 800. Other…

We have just a few day days left (six days!) to pressure Owen Paterson into a move which could aid our goal of saving and supporting farmland wildlife across the south east.

He’s considering whether he can get away with transferring the full 15% allowance of cash that he’s allowed from the pot of Common Agriculture Policy cash, granted by the EU to support farming, into a pot of cash that will support wildlife friendly…

You may have noticed that the huge Neolithic bog stump has disappeared from in front of the Purfleet Hide. This ancient piece of timber was unearthed when we were constructing the new scrape and has proudly stood there for well over a year now.

As many of you may have noticed, it has been used as a perch by various species during that time including Redshanks, Cormorants and Starlings.... However it is the more predatory…

With a very cold snap imminent across the country this weekend may have been the last chance for the few remaining dragons to soak up some rays and get airbourne to catch their dinner.

Mark Vale saw both Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers on Saturday around the woodland area where it is more sheltered.

18-11-13

There have been no more signs of the Bittern that stole the show on Friday although David Warren has sent me in a shot of it to add to Bills... cheers!

However, Cetti's Warblers have been showing well and Blue Tits and Reed Buntings have been getting to work on the Reedmace heads... just got to find the Penduline Tits now!

Both these lovely shots by Les Harrison

17-11-13

Good afternoon!

How are you all?

It's been a lovely weekend so far, have you had a chance to get out and enjoy some fresh air?

I thought I would share with you some of the wildlife highlights of the weekend (so far!)...

The star of the whole weekend has been the merlin! 

  Mike Hughes took this picture of the merlin on 11 November.

 The merlin has been seen around the reserve occasionally over the whole weekend…

Much to my delight Richard Durhsen discovered a pair of Bearded Tits on the Dragonfly Pool last weekend. This weekend they have showed very well indeed and Les Harrison got some magnificent shots as they fed unconcerned in the phragmites.

Surely on our most stunning little birds?

17-11-13

Pat, David and Bill S were over the moon when a Bittern flew out of the reeds at the Dragonfly Pool and glided past their Friday Walk Party...

Just wait untill they see these shots that Bill Crooks got of the bird during its breif flight....

Probably the best flight shots I have ever seen of a Bittern...

Hopefully this is last years bird come back to winter with us.

15-11-13

I like the word probing... lots of birds do it... some with more aplomb than others.

Curlews defintely probe, using that long decurved bill to extract lugworms from the deepest of burrows; while Snipe do so with great dexterity, feeling out a snack with an uber sensitive bill tip. Starlings probe en-masse pushing their bills into your lovely lawn and then opening them wide to make a bigger hole to extract a Leatherjacket…

As promised Val Callen sent me the shot of the 'military action' over the Thames just in front of the centre yesterday afternoon...

Very impressive flying and 'speeding' by all concerned...

14-11-13

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Greenfinches!  We have quite a few around at the moment and they are looking stunning in their green, gold and grey finery. They love hips of all sizes but the big Rosa rugosa bushes in the wildlife garden and car park beds are very popular.....

14-11-13

Answers tomorrow morning!

Just waiting on some more pics from today including some awesome Helicopter over the river action! Come on Val! ;o)

oh and the sunset was even better than last night!

13-11-13

A glorious end to the day with a burning rhubarb and custard sky....

and a balled up murmuration of Starlings doing what Starlings do best....

Cool shot by Tom Bell....

12-11-13

Quite a nice day with early rain giving way to some sunshine and a superb sunset. Lots of waders early on with 140 Black-tailed Godwit and about 200 each of Dunlin and Redshank heading up river after something spooked them off the Kent side. Pair of Marsh Harriers on patrol again but for the second day running there was no real Woodpigeon passage.

The Barnacle Goose was feeding on newly emerged grass on the landfill…

Mike Hughes got this shot of our female Merlin yesterday out on the reserve. She has been around since Wednesday now and seems to be seen most often out on Wennington waiting on a post for something to dash off after.

Brian Churches was telling me at the weekend that on average Merlins only spend 12 minutes a day on the wing! Have to be a good efficient hunter to survive with that little effort!

12-11-13

The Kingfishers are back on site for the winter with at least two and probably three being seen regularly. The new workngs have opened up a few pools and birds have been seen perched outside the Ken Barrett, MDZ and Purfleet Hides as well as along the ditches and as Barry J found out, sat on guage boards...

Hopefully some more prerches outside the hides will bring even greater photographic rewards...

11-11-13