Hi Folks.
I know it is not even a week ago since Aiki and I visited Rainham with GrahamC but today we had the chance to meet up with more forumites this time Clare and Limpy travelled down from Suffolk to visit Rainham Marshes and we decided to all meet up. Aiki and I arrived at opening time and went to the woodland area first in the hope of seeing the Lesser Whitethroat seen last week as well as a pair of Cuckoos known to be in the woodland. We hear the Cuckoos and did see the Lesser White Throat again, we milled around the woodland for a while to pass time as we knew Clare and Limpy were hoping to arrive around 11am we then headed to the Purfleet hide as it was the nearest to the visitors centre. There was plenty out on the Marsh which was alive with the sounds of Marsh frogs but also making a welcome appearance were some Whimbrels.
I then recieved a text saying they had arrived so Aiki and I headed to the cafe in the visitors centre and were greeted by two smiling faces belonging to Clare and Limpy,we all hit it of straight away so knew we were in for a good day. We went out on the reserve and headed back to Purfleet Hide and thanks to Aikis quick spot we were treated to a pair of Cuckoos flying and flirting together as they flew right in front of the hide and over to the woodland area. What a cracking start and certainly my best ever views of Cuckoos. We eventually all agreed to move on the the next hide and see what else was round and Limpy spotted a Water Vole almost straight away things were getting better, we were a bit disappointed though to find the the hide near the Kingfishers nest site closed at around 12.30 when it had been open from 11am to 3pm :-(
We saw plenty doing a nice slow leisurly circuit of the reserve including, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings, Blackcaps, Cetti's (heard), Whitethroat, Lesser Whitehroat, Kestrel, Hobby, Whimbrel, Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier (2), Herons, Little Egrets, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Coots plus one with chicks, Mallard including a family with 7 chicks, Gadwall, Lapwings, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese a fly over by a Ross's Goose (correct me if im wrong aiki) plus all the usual I'm sure my forumite friends will add many more to this list.
Anyway heres a variety of photos from my wee camera, if cameras had feelings might have got a little depressed with the lenses it was up agains lol.
Sedge Warbler
I think this was the Lesser Whitethroat.
Comma Butterfly
First Damselfly for this year mybe a Red Damsel I will leave Aiki to confirm or correct me.
Sedge Warbler.
Green Veined White
Tailess Magpie
Looking across the reserve towards the Purfleet Hide.
The Water Vole Limpy spotted.
Distant Cuckoo
Marsh Frogs check out the video to hear how loud they were.
Peacock Butterfly
Male Reed Bunting
Willow Warbler who impersonated a Chiffchaff, it would start off chiffinng then break into song.
Anyway that my bit I'm sure the others will add to this report of a really good day having made two new friends off the forum.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
It's not letting me post any more pictures, Aiki. I tried to post eight the first time around and none of them appeared. What can be seen at the moment are the result of my posting them one at a time, but the last one I tried refused to appear after three attempts. It's just as well Limpy's asleep!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Finally got the last two on!
Worth waiting for - lovely Robin, and the tangled sparrow made me laugh :)
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
I did manage to get a few pictures of wildlife in the water as well as out of it:
Catching some Z's!
A marsh frog practising its anti-heron technique!
A grey heron on the lookout
On the prowl
A quick bath!
Uh-oh, here comes trouble!
An unmistakeable lapwing
Tiptoeing past the sleeping giant!
I've come to the conclusion that lapwings think big!
Was it something I said?????
A very coot chick!
MUUUM!
I'm coming.......
Pochard enjoying the peace and quiet.
A quietly beautiful gadwall.
Great reports and photos again, guys. Glad you all had a great day out. Sorry I couldn't join you. But I also had a great day out!
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Glad you all had a lovely day - really enjoyed reading the report and looking at all your photos. I can't think of anything nicer than going off to hunt wildlife with like-minded people!
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Brilliant photos, such a good variety. A good day all round it seemed :)
Cheers, Jason
Excellent photos from you all and lovely to see the cuckoos! Not even heard one yet this year.... :-(
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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First of all a very big thank you to Shane and Aiki for arranging to meet Clare and I at Rainham Marshes.
I found RM a wonderful place to visit and with two lovely people to show us around some really great wildlife what more could you ask for? It was a perfect day out.
As this car's number plate says the day certainly had the
Factor!
"Birds are, quite simply, little miracles - and as such they require care and consideration."
Magnus Ullman
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Great report and great pictures from you all. I think I must the only one within range of Rainham that hasn't been there yet.
Wonderful shot of the Cuckoo in flight. That's a bird I've never managed to photograph. Love the Marsh frog video. I know when I first heard them calling on one of my European trips some years ago, I couldn't think what on earth it was. I didn't really appreciate that they'd become established in the UK.
Glad you all had a good day.
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Tony
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