Has Wild Isles inspired you to get out and see a Starling murmuration for yourself? Huge starling murmurations, and the fact that starlings are regular chatty garden visitors, can give the impression that they’re thriving. But starlings are one of the fastest-declining birds in the UK: their numbers fell by 53% between 1995 and 2018. They were added to the UK Red List of Conservation Concern as far back as 2002.
Yet urban nature experiences, like Starling murmurations, are often closer than you think, and at the RSPB, we’re committed to making reserves as welcoming and easy to access as possible. Everyone belongs in nature, and we need everyone to help us protect it if we are going to protect our Wild Isles. Find out how you can start your nature journey with us at RSPB Rainham Marshes, where visitors have the chance of spotting Kingfishers, Marsh Harriers and even Water Voles.
Once a military firing range, RSPB Rainham Marshes forms part of the Thames Estuary and is close to London. Yet, step out to explore here, and you’ll find a wilderness of grazing marshland, wetlands and reedbed habitats teaming with wildlife. You get great views of the reserve from the visitor centre too, and in the early winter months you may even see a small starling murmuration from here.
Head to the reedbeds and you may see Bearded Tits, small birds with black ‘moustache’ face markings, fly over the tops of the reeds. Listen out for their ‘ping’ calls too. Reed Buntings and Cetti’s Warblers can be spotted amongst the reeds as well. In the spring and summer, migrant Reed and Grasshopper Warblers come to the site.
Look up to the sky to catch a glimpse of Marsh Harriers soaring, or Lesser Emperor Dragonflies flitting about, and don’t forget to peer down at water for a chance of seeing Grass Snakes and nationally rare Water Voles. Rainham Marshes is home to an incredible 1% of the UK’s population of this mammal.
Kingfishers are also a star species here, head to the family-friendly Marshland Discovery Zone hide for a chance of spotting one of these birds.
Image: Water vole Arvicola amphibius, © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
The wetlands
In spring, keep an eye out for the young of wading birds, such as Lapwing and Redshank, starting to gain their confidence. You could also see Swallows, Swifts and House Martins flying through the sky, having come to Rainham all the way from Africa to spend the summer here.
In the autumn and winter months, migratory wildfowl arrive, with lots of beautiful ducks to spot out on the water, including Wigeon, Pintail and Teal.
And don’t forget to watch for Peregrine Falcons that are searching for their prey over the marshes.
Located only a 15-20 minute walk from Purfleet station, we aim for RSPB Rainham Marshes to be accessible for anyone who wants to connect with nature. The visitor centre on site offers extensive views over the reserve, along with a café and shop. We love welcoming families too, with pushchair friendly facilities, picnic tables, a play area and children’s events throughout the year. You can also hire binoculars, and mobility scooters, the latter of which are free of charge and can be booked in advance via the visitor centre allowing those with limited mobility to explore the reserve. We’re also excited to be opening visitor pathways newly created on the reserve for 2024, improving access for all visitors, and providing a circular path around the site taking in the stunning scenery and seasonal wildlife.
Image: Grass snake swimming at RSPB Rainham Marshes. © Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
There’s so much to do at Rainham Marshes that a visit can be tailored to suit the group or individual, so everyone can enjoy a nature-filled experience at the reserve.
Stanford-le-Hope Rainbows and Brownies, said: “It was our first 'proper' day out since lockdown and the 'first' ever for some of our younger ones and what a brilliant intro into outdoor events. Our girls had an amazing day. We've received loads of positive feedback from parents. Thank you.”
Connecting to nature has benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing, and even if you don’t live near to an RSPB Reserve, there are plenty of ways to connect to the Nature on your Doorstep
If you want to help the Starlings in your garden, you find out how to create a cosy home for them here.
Discover more about RSPB Rainham Marshes at www.rspb.org.uk/RainhamMarshes
Main image: Visitors to Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve, summer. © Jesper Mattias (rspb-images.com)