A fairly quiet day out on the reserve but a great walk nonetheless with epic views of Hobbies catching hawkers and two juvenile Marsh Harriers hunting together over the pools. A juvenile Garganey and seven Wigeon showed well and the baby Great Crested Grebe chick is still doing well. Six Yellow Wagtails headed over along with several very high Swallows and at along last I added Whinchat to my Rainham year list! Whimbrel, Curlew, two Black-tailed Godwits, Green and Common Sandpipers made up the main waders and there were still a few Wasp Spiders to be seen but hurry up as I reckon you only have about ten days left!
Enjoy these Hobby images by Basil Thornton
I could be mistaken but the mix of old and new feathers suggests that this bird is a first summer (one of last years young).
5-9-12
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer