South Essex Marshes

Forum post: Re: Over At Vange Marsh

Leila — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:10:00 GMT

First experience of a Cuckoo! I bet you made their day! How magical.

Blog post: Canvey Island Wildlife Fair is nearly here!

Leila — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:59:00 GMT

Canvey Island Wildlife Fair is nearly hear and we can't wait!!

Come and join us and Canvey Town Council this Saturday on our reserve West Canvey Marsh for a fantastic fun filled day full of wildlife. With exhibitors from Buglife to Southend Dormouse Group to Essex Wildlife Trust, minibeast hunting for all the family and wildlife walks run by Wildlife celebrity guest Mike Dilger from the BBC TV’s The One Show there will be loads to see and enjoy. And the best part is, its FREE!!!

We open at 11am and can't wait to see you there!

For more details about the event please visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-344776

Blog post: NEWSFLASH - THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!!! - Wildlife of Canvey Island Photography Competition

Leila — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:51:00 GMT

**** THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!!!*****

We have had some wonderful entries into this years photographic competition and as a result have decided to extend the deadline to Wednesday 22nd May so even more of you can join in. So send us your photos!! We can't wait to see them!

In the lead up to Canvey Wildlife Day on 25th May, we are organising a free entry photography competition with the theme of ‘Wildlife of Canvey Island’. The competition is divided into 3 categories, for under 12yrs, 12 - 18yrs and over 18yrs and there are lots of lovely prizes up for grabs. The deadline for the entries is May 22nd and judging for the finalists will happen on the 23rd May, All finalists will get a chance to see their photo's on display at Canvey Wildlife Day and the winners will be picked on the day by Mr Mike Dilger himself!

For an entry form and to find out more about the competition please contact Vicky Chambers at SE.Education@rspb.org.uk

We can't wait to see all your lovely entries and to find out what wildlife you've been snapping on Canvey Island!!

Forum post: Wildlife of Canvey Island Photography Competitions

Leila — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:05:00 GMT

Is anyone entering the Wildlife of Canvey Island Photography Competition?

Blog post: The Breeding Season is Well Under Way

Leila — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:46:00 GMT

The breeding season is well under way, the first ducklings and goslings can be seen diligently following their parents around out on the lagoons across the reserves. The air is filled with Skylarks, Whitethroats, Reed warblers and other small birds defending their territories, flitting around catching insects and finding food, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring.

Reed Warbler Singing by David Lee

The last of the migrants have now arrived, Swifts are one of the last to arrive and can now be seen flying over the lagoons catching flies. Listen out too for the enigmatic sound of a Cuckoo, there’s several to be found across the reserves.

Cuckoo in Flight - Uncredited

Another of the late arrivals is the Hobby; look out for them over on West Canvey Marsh and over Pitsea Scrape, these falcons can occasionally be seen giving chase to Swallows, Swifts and Martins, certainly a great spectacle!

In our Visitor Centre in Wat Tyler Country Park, you can come and see how our nesting Blue tits are getting on through a live video feed. The female is currently sitting on ten eggs, there’s about a week to go until they should start hatching out.

Blog post: International Dawn Chorus Day - 5th May

Leila — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:45:00 GMT

My alarm goes off at 4am. I desperately want to turn it off. Then suddenly I remember why it's set so early. I can already hear the twitter and chatter of birds waking up outside and I start to get excited. This morning I'm getting up and getting out to listen to one of the most amazing sounds in the world. It beats any musical talent hands or should I say wings down! Yep, I'm getting up to listen to the Dawn Chorus. The awesome and inspiring sound of all the early birds singing away, letting the world know they exist and are ready for the day, whatever it has in store. You just can't beat it!

Reed Bunting Singing - Uncredited

In fact May the 5th is International Dawn Chorus Day, the worldwide celebration of Nature's daily Miracle. And in celebration we are running Dawn Chorus Walks here at Wat Tyler Country Park on 5th, 11th, 17th and 23rd May. With a 5.30am start and experts on hand you can't fail to hear some of the wonderful songs that our british birds have to share. It is well worth that 4am start, it will lift your soul giving you the prefect start to the day! If you would like to book a place on the walk or find out more give us a ring on 01268 498620 or email southessexmarshes@rspb.org.uk

For more information about Dawn Chorus Day check out the official site http://www.idcd.info/

Blog post: Spring has Sprung across the South Essex Marshes

Leila — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:21:00 GMT

Spring has well and truly sprung across our reserves with lots of wildlife to see and hear. As the summer migrants arrive, the reedbed at Vange Marsh is starting to come alive with Reed warblers, while Swallows, Sand martins and House martins all swoop over the main lagoon catching insects.

Reed Warbler by David Lee

Visitors to West Canvey Marshes have been greeted by singing Skylarks marking their territories. Butterflies are also starting to appear with Peacock, Small tortoiseshell and Comma all seen on the reserve. As the weather heats up, the reptiles are starting to make an appearance, West Canvey is a great place to see Adders, Slow worms and Common lizards, or if you’re really lucky maybe even an elusive Grass snake. Also keep a look out for large bumblebees in the grasslands, at this time of year the queen bees are out picking new nest sites for the summer ahead.

Common Lizard by David Lee

Highlight of the spring so far however, has to be the two Black-necked grebes which stayed for a couple of days on Pitsea Scrape, they gave some fabulous views in their full summer plumage.

Black-necked Grebe by Steve Arlow

The signs of spring can also be seen in our Visitor Centre in Wat Tyler Country Park, our aquarium is currently full of tadpoles, and our nest cam is giving live footage of our Blue tits as they build their nest, why not come down and see how they’re getting on.

Forum post: Re: Your first memories of nature...

Leila — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:24:00 GMT

I love all your responses! It's so telling that you were all so young when the connections to nature were first made. It just goes to show the importance of getting our kids outdoors and building those all important nature experiences.

I'm really looking forward to hearing other people's stories too

Blog post: NEWSFLASH - Wildlife of Canvey Island Photography Competition

Leila — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:19:00 GMT

In the lead up to Canvey Wildlife Day on 25th May, we are organising a free entry photography competition with the theme of ‘Wildlife of Canvey Island’. The competition is divided into 3 categories, for under 12yrs, 12 - 18yrs and over 18yrs and there are lots of lovely prizes up for grabs. The deadline for the entries is May 18th and judging for the finalists will happen the week of the 20th May, All finalists will get a chance to see their photo's on display at Canvey Wildlife Day and the winners will be picked on the day by Mr Mike Dilger himself!

For an entry form and to find out more about the competition please contact Vicky Chambers at SE.Education@rspb.org.uk

We can't wait to see all your lovely entries and to find out what wildlife you've been snapping on Canvey Island!!

Photo: Warbler

gooner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:26:00 GMT

I'm not sure what Warbler? I guess willow? taken WTP

Photo: Whitethroat

gooner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:24:00 GMT

Whitethroat taken in WTP

Photo: Great tit

gooner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:22:00 GMT

In full song WTP

Photo: Willow Warbler

gooner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:21:00 GMT

Taken in Wat Tyler Park

Photo: Blackcap

gooner — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:19:00 GMT

Taken in Wat Tyler Park

Blog post: We thought the Winter was never going to end!

Leila — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:21:00 GMT

We thought the Winter was never going to end!...However, we are a ‘glass half full’ type of team at the South Essex Marshes and there has been an upside to all the cold wet weather this winter; it has allowed us for the first time to achieve maximum water levels across much of the Marshes. This attracted thousands of overwintering Lapwing and Widgeon to the reserves during this period. Our aim now is to start lowering the water levels slightly using a combination of pumps, sluices and water control structures such as tilting weirs that we have installed across the sites. We will be doing this to leave exposed mud on the waters edge of the network of lagoons and channels we have created across much of the Marshes which will provide vital feeding areas for birds such as Redshanks, Lapwing and Avocets and (hopefully) plenty of their chicks!

Redshank by Andy Hay

Photo: Canada Geese

gooner — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:00:00 GMT

West Canvey Marsh

Photo: Marsh Harrier on the Scrape

gooner — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:59:00 GMT

Marsh Harrier taken in Dec 2012

Photo: Mandarin ducks

gooner — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:53:00 GMT

Sorry not Local to the marshes, but taken at Connaught water, Chingford.

Really beautiful and extremely shy.

Photo: Snipe

gooner — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:47:00 GMT

Snipe in front of the Green centre hide Wat Tyler Park.

Photo: Curlew

gooner — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:44:00 GMT

Curlew in Timbermans Creek Wat Tylers Park.