Ever since I have been at Rainham Marshes (nearly ten years now!) we have had an interesting variety of alien or introduced species on the marsh ranging from foreign invasive plants such as Azola, plump Pheasants, hoards of Canada Geese and the ever increasing Ring-necked Parakeets, variable Harlequin Ladybirds and even feisty Chinese Mitten Crabs.
Unlike the other species they are not seen that often and we usually encounter them whilst doing work on sluices and such like. They are at home in fresh and salt water and cause untold problems with river bank damage and competition with native aquatic life. Click here for some more info and how you can help!
This one that Mark Hart photographed was not that big but you can clearly see the furry gloves that cover the two front claws!
And yes, apparently the do make good eating!
6-10-12
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer