Afternoon all
Sorry but escaped to Dorset and Hampshire for a long weekend. Visited our wonderful heathland reserve at Arne on Sunday and spent the day wandering around the magnificent site seeing Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks, Stonechats, lots of woodland birds, Buzzards and Sandwich Terns out over the shimmering Pool Harbour. We found two Fishing spiders (formally known at Raft Spiders) and managed to find the first Hairy Hawker and Large red Damselflies of the season. Butterflies were everywhere! Sincere thanks to Rob and Michael who showed my group and I a very nice male Smooth Snake and made us feel very welcome. A real treat. Do not forget to check out their blog.
And what with the blazing sunshine and some fine Dorset cheese (thanks Justin! http://www.townmillcheese.co.uk/) it was a memorable day.
Back on the reserve at Rainham Marshes we had a very busy few days (while I was soaking up those south coast rays!) and there was a good arrival of commoner migrants including Whitethroats, Willow, Reed and Sedge Warblers. Our first Cuckoo was seen and heard and yet another Red Kite graced the marsh. A male Redstart was a good find on Sunday but the star bird was the male Pied Flycatcher that was found in the woodland on Thursday. A real treat to get one in the spring!
Pied Flycatcher (Andy Tweed)
Marsh Frogs were in fine song and the male Marsh Harrier showed exceptionally well.
Marsh Harrier (Freddie Roll)
Marsh Frog mid-croak (Brenda Clayton)
Marsh Frog (with Edible characteristics - take that how you will!) (Freddie Roll)
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer