Trip reports

Trip to Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve

Grey heron at Rainham Marshes - RO

Sunday, 27 March 2011

I will try to explain why 29 people gave up their Sunday to catch a coach to London, already 'robbed' of an hours sleep due to the application of British Summer Time, to travel along the repair ravaged M25, to a RSPB reserve. The reserve situated between the dirty Thames and the High Speed rail link is fortress like, with a centre complete with drawbridge and high security fencing!

This patch of vandalised waste land was transformed by the RSPB some time ago and improved as a visitor attraction ever since, it must now be one of the societies most important 'recruiting sergeants'.

The M25, with someone else driving, did not seem too bad at all and soon we were entering the high security reserve! Once inside we were greeted by some of the best volunteers the RSPB have. The friendly welcome and superb facilities frame a wetland reserve to be proud of.

The day that started very grey and damp transformed into brilliant spring sunshine and the depressing surrounds were forgotten as the group concentrated on the impressive range of wildlife the reclaimed marsh provided.

Soon the local urban peregrines were putting on a display of hunting prowess and retired to a nearby pylon to consume their prey.

A few spring migrants were seen, sand martins, wheatear, and little ringed plovers. The gargany took much more effort, some were rewarded and some, including myself, were not! Ducks of all other species were freely seen as were many cettis warblers. Marsh frogs 'warbled' from the ditches and a lucky few saw water vole.

All too soon it was time to return to real life on the M25 and with 50 or so species seen, there was a sense that it had been all worth it and a satisfaction that helping the RSPB can provide wonder from chaos.

RO

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rainhammarshes/index.aspx