This morning on Vange Marsh a single waxwing was seen in the tree tops to the NW. At Wat Tyler Country Park a peregrine falcon was on one of the scrape islands with its prey, probably a coot, before flying off towards Benfleet Creek with it's prey securely in it's talons. While in Timbermanns Creek four spotted redshanks were seen alongside common redshank and curlew. From the scrape hide a marsh harrier was quartering the reedbed on Bowers Marsh, while at least three water rails were seen in the reeds in front of the hide.
Our visitor centre at Wat Tyler will be closed on New Year's Day, otherwise we are open as normal 10 am - 4 pm.