Trip reports

Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve

Friday, 11 December 2009

We arrived shortly after high tide as a very cold mist was starting to lift; it was good to see some new faces for what was an interesting day with 55 species seen.
Following the warden's advice we started our day along the river path where, towards the far end of the reserve, two Serin had been reported the previous day! A few waders (Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank) and ducks; lots of gulls with a Curlew and Grey Plovers; brief views of Peregrine and Marsh Harrier; finches including a couple of Linnet but no Twite, Reed Bunting, and numbers of Pied Wagtail: it was only after getting home and looking in my Hamlyn guide that I realised that I (if no-one else)could easily confuse the high-pitched, metallic twittering of Serin and juvenile Pied Wagtail - good thing I wasn't tested!
Back to the Reserve (finches and House Sparrows around the feeders) and lunch in the lee of the wood with some welcome, warming sunshine. Continual movement included a mixed flock of finches (mainly Greenfinch and Goldfinch), Kestrel, Long-tailed Tits, and a Redwing. On to the main hide: wildfowl including Brent Geese, many Wigeon, a bright Pochard bathing, and hundreds of Lapwing with some Golden Plover. The day was also notable in that we (our 'recorder') lost count of the number of Magpies!