Pat is one of our fabulous walk leaders, and he has written a blog about his day on Friday 29 September here at Rainham Marshes.
Take it away Pat!
RSPB Rainham Marshes - Friday 29th September
A warm, sunny periods and showers day. The pintail on Averley Flash is starting to show that he’s a male as he comes out of eclipse plumage.
Only 6 species of wader seen today but that included 15 Ruff (mostly juveniles) and 3 Little Stints!
Bearded tits were heard pinging by the Dragonfly Pools - it's worth having a look if you walk around there.
Bearded tit by Mark Vale
A pair of Stonechat near the Butts Hide was a cheery sight as was the Kingfisher that flashed by under the one-way exit bridge as I crossed.
It’s quite some time since I found a Goldcrest at Rainham so one in the woodland was a real bonus. Strangest sighting of the day was the small flock of Rose-ringed Parakeets that headed across Averley Flash and over the river late afternoon.Total species experienced 62, and I enjoyed my stroll around the reserve!Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 15 Ruff, 3 Little Stint, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 2 Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 6 Rose-ringed, Parakeet, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Bearded Tit, Skylark, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, 2 Stonechat, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting