Just a quick update on the work that we are doing on site to maintain an area of boardwalk.
We have created an alternative route so you will be able to complete a full circuit of the reserve.
Over the next few weeks the team will be looking after a section of the boardwalk near the woodland feeders - to make sure we can keep the full walk open a temporary alternative route will be available. The path will be about the same length as the current route meaning you can see a slightly different part of the reserve. The path is a hard flat surface that we will have open to ensure the complete circuit is available throughout the works.
Below you can see a map of the reserve. The black lines show the section of the boardwalk that will be closed, and the red line shows the alternative route. You will still be able to visit the Cordite Store (and see 'Rocky' the robin), and the whole of the woodland loop (including the woodland feeders).
It's been lovely going for a walk this week - the reserve has been looking fantastic and there has been lots to see!
The snipe and jack snipe in front of the Purfleet hide are still showing nicely and so are the huge numbers of lapwing! The marsh harriers are showing well, and the barn owls have been seen in the box. The duck numbers are still growing - with pintail, teal and wigeon showing well.
Snipe and jack snipe by Bob Cooper from the Purfleet hide earlier this week.
oh and a sneaky addition from Howard with a fuller list from yesterday...
There was a good haul of birds at Rainham today... thanks to Samuel Levy for the comprehensive counting...
Thursday 10th January 2019
• RSPB Rainham Marshes: 83 Redshank, 51 Black-tailed Godwit, 264 Teal, 78 Common Gull, 11 Dunlin, Grey Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 20 Gadwall, 7 Grey Heron, 22 Redwing, 9 Water Pipit, 558 Wigeon, 18 Common Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 90 Shelduck, 35 Avocet, 7 Curlew, 5 Stonechat, 16 Rock Pipit, ad Caspian Gull, 68 Coot, Sparrowhawk, 29 Pintail, 91 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 34 Pochard, 3f Peregrine, 3f,1m Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe.