You have two more days of the massive 30% off 12.75kg bags of seed! This is the biggest offer we've had on the seed - and stocks are running low.
Get in quick though as the offer only lasts through to the 19th!
Have a look at the picture to see all the details...
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Recently wildlife highlights:
The waders are showing nicely including lapwing, snipe, ruff, curlew, golden plover, avocet, black tailed godwit and water rail.
Curlew by Tony O'Brien
Lapwing Tony O'Brien
It's quite a sight when a bird of prey flies over the reserve and spooks all the waders and ducks! If you do see a big cloud of swirling birds it's worth looking out for marsh harrier or peregrine.
The ducks have been quite active too with pintail, wigeon, teal, pochard, shoveler, shelduck, mallard and gadwall all showing nicely.
Male pochard by Ian Plume
Wigeon by Bernard Bradshaw
Stonechats and skylarks are quite active at the moment, and a lovely male blackcap has been enjoying the apples that have been put out around the visitor centre.
Female stonechat by Bernard Bradshaw
Blackcap by Pat Hart
There have been a few winter invertebrates as well - we had our first butterfly sighting this week!
Volunteer (and invertebrate expert) Yvonne has written the following:
"The river path either side of Coldharbour Point is another go-to place for winter insects. Today I found over two dozen 7 spot ladybirds and this lovely denticulate leatherbug, which has tiny pale spines on the 'shoulders' and is related to the box and dock bugs."
Denticulate leatherbug by Yvonne Couch
This time of year is wonderful for sunsets - so I have to share this lovely view of the reserve...
Rainham Marshes visitor centre by Tony O'Brien
This week is half term! If you are looking for something to do with the kids then we have some fun things planned here at Rainham Marshes!
You can explore the reserve and see lots of lovely wildlife, play and climb in the adventure playground, have a nice lunch in our café, borrow an Rainham Marshes: Wild Families explorer pack to discover the reserve, or join Rainham Marshes: Wild Families pond dipping on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Pond dipping by Jesper Mattias (rspb-images.com)
Drop in to Rainham Marshes this school holidays to take part in some fabulous family activities.
You can hire an explorer bag from reception for £3 at any time during the holidays, or there is pond dipping on Tuesday 19-Thursday 21 February. Enjoy pond dipping - investigate what creatures you can find living in our ponds - you don't need to bring any equipment, we'll have everything you need.
Pond dipping is really popular and we have limited spaces - if you would like to guarantee your time slot give us a call on 01708 89985 to book, if you turn up on the day we should be able to squeeze you in but you may need to wait for a few minutes to start.
Tuesday 19 February: 10.30 am-12 noon or 1.30-3 pm
Wednesday 20 February: 10.30 am - 12 noon
Thursday 21 February: 10.30 am - 12 noon or 1.30-3 pm
We suggest arriving half and hour early to give you time to collect your tickets and get to our special pond dipping area at the Woodland Discovery Zone, and you can take part in the self-guided trail on the way. We suggest wearing good shoes or wellies. £1.50 per child.