The ongoing work to re-profile the various scrapes and rills has also presented Ian the digger driver to clear out and improve the view from the Ken Barrett Hide once again.

This was carried out on Friday the 17th and by that afternoon it was already attracting in the birds to the newly exposed muddy margins and islands. It has become the place to spend time in the last ten days and has afforded visitors the opportunity top get much closer views that usual of some of our regular species.

Water Pipits - at least three different birds have been visiting- Russ Sherriff

Pied Wagtail - Several have been showing on the pools and like to perch up on the Kingfisher sticks - Jim Willett

Stonechats use the fenceline and reedmace heads as lookouts for insects on the mud... John Humble

This one is the male... Bill Moss

Carrion Crows are opportunistic scavengers - Lee Wakefield

Up to five Little Egrets have been in catching sticklebacks - Mark Vale

And sometimes coughing them back up when they get stuck - Bob Cooper

Four Ruff of varying sizes have been coming nice and close - John Humble


Ruff and Lapwing - Bill Moss

And irridescent Lapwings - Bill Moss

Along with cryptic Snipe - No bobbing Jack Snipe have been seen yet - John Humble

So wrap up, come along and enjoy the view regardless of the weather!

25-11-17

And highlights from yesterday across the reserve - shame the Snow Bunting did not linger

Friday 24th November 2017

  • RSPB Rainham Marshes: f Snow Bunting, 10 Yellow-legged Gulls, Swallow, Grey Plover, 20 Curlew, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Redshank, 4 Ruff, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Pipit, 10 Stonechat, 134 Golden Plover, 10 Pintail, 320 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Barn Owl, Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 6 Bearded Tit, 4 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Firecrest, 5 Fieldfare