Hi Folks
I have not been on here much due to my wife not being at all well but as she is now well on the road to recovery we went for a gentle stroll around Rainham Marshes to help her get some strength back in her legs.
On arrival we were just outside the visitor centre and I could see some objects on the opposite bank of the Thames it turned out they were Common Seals 2 males and 2 females, heres a photo on maximum zoom, through the soon to clear gloom.
As we moved on we came across a couple of Swans enjoying the sun which was now shining through, here's the male keeping an eye on me.
As we approached the gate that leads out to the river a lone Sparrowhawk glided along parallel to us looking for its breakfast it eventually landed on the pill box at the far end of the reserve but as I tried to get closer for a photo it flew off :-(
There were plenty of Little Grebes around as well.
You certainly had to look where you werewalking as there were Snails everywhere of all sizes and colours.
My wife managed to spot this little Marsh Froglet with a little bit of tale left hiding amongst the weed.
And just to prove her eye sight was better then mine she saw this pretty little beetle scurrying across the path.
As we got near the Shooting Butts Hide we came across 2 pairs of Stonechats who were all over the place this male was quite a show off.
We watched their antics for about 10 minutes and headed for the hide only to have another nice find right outside the hide, a Wheatear.
We went on to the Ken Barret hide were we say plenty of Mallards well as a nice male Teal which flew off as soon as I lifted the camera, as we left the hide we met Aiki who was also having a day at Rainham with a friend. Aiki kindly ID'd the Wheatear as probably a juvenile as I was unsure of its sex or age, we then headed on as the wifes leg was begining to ache now.
Also seen during the walk were all the usual suspects plus 2 Kestrels, Gadwall, Lapwings, Tufted Ducks, Herons, Little Egret, Kingfisher and 2 Snipe flew over and there were Cettis warblers everywhere calling away but none wanting to be seen, all in all it had been a nice walk out with the wife and some great wildlife.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
Cheers Alan, yes the seals were across the river from Purfleet on the Kent side, and looking at the thread you put a link to they were probably the same ones. It was the first time I had seen them there even though they are often seen so it was a nice start to the walk.
Great to hear your wife's recovering well! Brilliant report as ever! Love the stonechat and the seals too! The lovely beetle is Chrysolina banksi.
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Thanks Rockwolf and thanks for the ID, you ID'd the same beetle for me before I believe my memory is a bit like my eyesight it could be better lol.
Lovely photos, Shane, and I'm so pleased your wife is feeling better. I bet she was delighted to get out and about at such a lovely reserve.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Hi Shane
Sorry to hear your wife's been poorly but pleased she's on the mend. Always good to see a bit of wildlife to lift the spirits and two eyes are better than one.
Really nice shots of the Stonechats and how nice to get shots of the Wheatears before they disappear on their holidays.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Good to see you and your better half at Rainham today, Shane :) We found your Wheatear plus one pair of Stonechats, it was a quiet day though. Highlight for me was the eight Pintails on Aveley flash. Oh, and we found a Kingfisher on the far side of Mar Dyke - we weren't the first ones to find it though!
We managed to get a bit closer to it, not as close as the cat did though.
The cat wasn't impressed that we accidentally scared off the Kingfisher. Just as well he didn't try to catch it though, as he would have ended up in the Thames :)
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Thanks Clare, she was very happy to get out and have a view of a Kingfisher as well albeit a flypast.
Thanks TJ considering the forecast was originally rain we hit lucky for our little jaunt.
Thanks M it was good to see you as well, glad you found the Stonechats and Wheatears I wish we had gone to the Mar Dyke now but hey ho it was a good day out.
Lovely shot of the Kingfisher, aiki. The pussy cat does seem to be giving you the hard stare.