Rainham Marshes - Recent threads

Kestrel with common lizard

steve — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:41:25 GMT

Kestrel with common lizard

steve — Mon, 27 May 2013 22:03:29 GMT

Sorry new to this and aving trouble uploading photo.

Kestrel with common lizard

steve — Mon, 27 May 2013 21:58:41 GMT

Snap shot of a kestral flying very fast towards the windmill

First post and First Water Vole

Ron S — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:54:40 GMT

I've been visiting Rainham Marshes for a year now,

usually for a couple hours between jobs when I'm in

the area. On Sunday I thought I would have a quiet

stroll before starting work but it was anything but quiet

with the loud music coming from a gathering the

other side of A1306. It's funny how the traffic noise

from the A13 and the sound of the Eurostar fade in

to the background but not that music.

I was walking along the boardwalk between the

Woodland classroom and the Ken Barrett hide the part

where you turn left across the bridge, when I spotted this

little guy? munching away.

It's the first time I've seen a Water Vole, I spent a good

10 minutes watching it and got plenty of photographs.

Clare, Limpy, Aiki and Shane's Forumite meet up at Rainham Marshes.

Shane — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:49:31 GMT

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

(Please visit the site to view this video)

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.

A short video of the Kingfishers

jerryh — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:24:00 GMT

Yesterday, I set up my camera looking through one of the gaps in the camouflage netting in the MDZ.

Having heard from Brenda how the birds are currently behaving, I set up to view the horizontal part of the branch at the far side of the pool.

I got lucky... the male appeared and perched right in the centre of my frame, and I managed to capture this short video of him - and a streak of blue as she flew past him!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Possible Brown-tail Moth

BrianP — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:51:32 GMT

I photographed this web on a Hawthorn bush on the other side of the main path from the car park, and it has been identified as possibly Brown-tail moth larvae. When the caterpillars appear they have hairs which can be very irritating, and the web can contain 300 larvae.

Brian Price

Cuckoo

Skyelark and Fieldfares — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:09:52 GMT

Hello, have any Cuckoos arrived yet on the reserve please?

Many thanks!

Kingfisher made my wifes day.

Shane — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:41:30 GMT

Just had to mention the Kingfisher that made my wife's day today during our visit, we had driven up from the Surrey/Sussex border for a walk around with the hope of spotting the Kingfisher looking for nest holes at the Discovery Zone. On the way up it had been raining and at one stage we were considering giving it a miss and turning around but we were both glad we stuck with our plan. On arrival Brenda told us that the hide near the possible nest site would not open until 11am so we decided to go around anti-clockwise to arrive at the hide at said time.

From the Woodland/Cordite area onwards the place was alive with bird song along with plenty to see including numerous Blackcaps and a lovely Willow Warbler who had no intention of letting me get a photo. We heard the first Cetti's Warbler as we approached the feeder area and heard a further 4 by time we had reached Wellington Marshes that is the most I have ever heard in any of my visits. Also present on sound but not in site were Reed Warblers right around the reserve all the bird song made it feel like winter was over at last even if the wind was still a little chilly.

We arrived at the Discovery Zone just as one of the reserves members of staff was opening it and he asked if we had heard about the Kingfishers and we said yes it was one of the reasons for the visit today. He went on to explain there had been a male checking out the holes in the bank and had been witnessed burrowing them out so we were hopeful of seeing them. My wife has only ever seen Kingfishers from a distance and usually flying away from us, so she was quite excited at the possibility of seeing one close by. As we waited I could my throat getting dryer after being out in the breeze and I had to do a stifled cough, just as i finished coughing in flew a Kingfisher and it landed on the Metal Dragonfly ar a twig going through it right in front of a couple of burrows. I pointed it out to my wife and the RSPB gentleman and then alas it flew off after all to a short stay, we stayed in the hide for a while longer and along with others were treated to some Yellow Wagtails, several Little Egret, 3 Redshank 2 of whom got down to ensuring they would be the pitter patter of little Redshank to come, Lapwings and 3 Dunlin in summer plumage.

Here's hoping the Kingfishers decide to nest in the bank and if so well done all the staff at the reserve in everything they have done to give the birds a chance of nesting with absolute minimal chance of disturbance from onlookers.

Thanks all.

Shane & Karen

Marsh Frogs at Rainham

Lucia — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:39:23 GMT

Hi,

I would love to hear some thoughts on the marsh frogs at Rainham for a project I'm doing,

Do the non-native frogs have a negative impact on the local environment or are they proving a valuable food source for birds?
What effect do the marsh frogs have on the birding experience?

Any opinions welcome :-)

Many thanks,

Lucia

Tides

AcademyFilms — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:42:07 GMT

Hello

My name is Gemma, I work at Academy films in Central London. We are hoping to film on Monday the 15th of April on the Marshes for a short film called 'Glance'.

We have just been send the Tilbury tidal pattern and it says the tide will be high Monday afternoon when we wish to film. We want to film between 2pm till 8:30pm.When looking at the Tidal pattern it says the tide gets to around 5.5 to 6.6 metres twice a day... However we have visited a few times during these hours and the tide has not been up high at all.

Does anyone know what the tide will be like on Monday after 2pm? We want to film below the footpath on the marshes and are worried it will be covered in water?

Thank you for your help!

Best Wishes

Gemma Priggen

Production Assistant

Academy FIlms

Kestrel 13-3-13

Blaser — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:40:27 GMT

These are some pictures I took of a Kestrel yesterday.

Bob Cooper

Kes puts on a show

BrianP — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:27:48 GMT

I had a lovely day on the Reserve on Monday, and Kes hovered close enough for me to get some shots:

More photos from Monday: CLICK HERE

Brian

Visit to Rainham Marshes

Chez — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:37:47 GMT

I went to Rainham Marshes for the first time with my husband & daughter today. We had a great time despite the cold weather.

We did the 2.5km walk round, I must say that we were impressed by the ease of access for wheelchairs. The staff are extremely helpful & friendly.

We will definitely be visiting the centre again in the future.

Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon :-)

Happy Christmas to you all at Rainham Marshes.

Shane — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 07:22:41 GMT

Just a quick message to say Happy Christmas to you all, I visit Rainham more than any other reserve and love each visit so thank you all for maintaining such a great place and always making visitors feel welcome. See you again in the 2013.

Shane

Brambling

videographer — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:59:21 GMT

If you would like a close-up view of the Brambling visiting the feeders today (30-10-2012) you can find it here if I've got the link right! http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/my_gallery/m/aa077cab-0d3d-46a9-a1fd-1871b21c5e3c/615239.aspx

Non-Crake photos from Wednesday

BrianP — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:20:45 GMT

I had another great visit on Wednesday. I didn't see the Crake, I'm afraid I don't have the patience any more, but there was still plenty to photograph including this very well camoflaged Frog:

This female Small White has obviously led an interesting and exciting life:

The Wild Clematis seed heads, or 'Old Man's Beard' by the Cordite Store were spectacular:

More pics from Wednesday - CLICK HERE

Brian

pics from recent visits

Paul Rowe — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 22:31:48 GMT

Updated gallery from some recent visits.

http://www.essexbirds.com/rainham

cheers

Paul

Flickr

Cliff Watkinson — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:51:30 GMT

Hi all,

Even though most of the photos I take are over at Rainham Marshes. please feel free to have a look at my collection at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliffwatkinson/

I'm still learning, so any constructive criticism is very welcome!

Many thanks

Cliff

Thank You and Well Done Everyone! Keep up the good work...

Skinnysox — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:49:35 GMT

I joined the RSPB at Rainham earlier this year and would just like to say how much I enjoy my visits there.
The staff and volunteers are always friendly and willing to share their knowledge - and the homemade cake is excellent!
We had a cracking day out this Saturday, the sun was shining, the kids club were excitedly foraging about in the undergrowth and the kestrels, hobbies, marsh frogs and water voles were showing beautifully. We made the most of the reserve opening early (due to the appearance of the baillons crake) and would like to thank all those staff members who made the effort to extend visiting times so that as many birders as possible had an opportunity to view it. Everyone - from the guys directing cars to the car park, the volunteers out in the reserve, the cafe staff and, of course, the ever cheerful Howard made RSPB Rainham Marshes a welcoming place to be and a great day out for both regular visitors and those from further afield! Well done everyone - keep up the good work!

Crake-watching on Wednesday evening

SimonP — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:57:51 GMT

Huge thanks to Howard and co for keeping the reserve open late on Wednesday - the Baillon's Crake got more active towards dusk so this enabled dozens of people to get good views of the bird. Keep up the good work!

Blackberrying

Crumbler — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:48:46 GMT

Is it possible to pick blackberries in or near Rainham Marshes?

Thinking of doing it on and off while waiting for the crake to show up.

Thanks.

Pics of Ballion's Crake today

Paul Rowe — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:17:28 GMT

Managed a few shots today..1st 5 in this gallery.

http://www.essexbirds.com/rainham

cheers

Paul

Baillons crake

Splatsworth — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:07:15 GMT

Well I ambled over to the marsh on Sunday, i'd heard about the crake, but being a bit new to birdwatching and never having 'twitched' before I just thought i'd wander around to the hide and maybe get to see it on the off chance. I turned up to the hide just before 11 after first being entertained by the resident friendly Kestrel. I walked into the hide and there were suddenly shouts of 'there it is', I couldn't get near a window so just held back, resigned to not seeing it. after a while some guy, I didn't catch his name asked if anyone hadn't seen it, I quietly said 'I haven't' and he let me look through his scope which was centered on the crake in the reeds. Wow was all i could say, it gave me a warm feeling inside that I had seen it, that someone had been genorous enough to allow me to look through their scope and that I hadn't had to get up at the crack of dawn and wait for hours. it showed well for a couple of minutes and then headed back into the reeds. I would like to say a big thank you to the guy that showed me it and to announce that I think I am getting truly hooked on this birdwatching malarkey.

Early start at the Marsh

Steve Drake — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 16:09:38 GMT

What a great day! I arrived at 05:45 and made a beeline the the Riffle Butts hide to check out the Baillon's Crake. Success! 06:15 a fellow birder let me look through his scope and there it was in all of its glory. As the hide was extremely busy, I desided to make the most of an empty reserve. I spent some time in the new hide by the visitors centre watching a pair of Hobby's hunting. Great stuff!