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Map of Rainham Marshes
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Lapwing in display flight over breeding groundsSpeckled wood butterfly on nettle leafMarsh frog
Water vole feeding amongst waterliliesTwo children sitting filling in quiz sheets, Rainham MarshesVisitors to RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve
Girl pond dipping at RSPB Rainham MarshesMarsh harrier gliding over reedbedRedshank
Lapwing at RSPB Rainham Marshes nature reserveNew hide at RSPB Rainham Marshes reserveFlock of golden plovers circling against setting sun

Wildlife awards

Rainham Marshes is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. The amazing cacophony of croaking marsh frogs, day and night
  2. A myriad of butterflies and bees dancing around the swathes of flowers, while dragonflies patrol the ditches and pools
  3. Tumbling lapwings defending their territories over the marsh

Top things to do in Summer

  1. Water voles become very obliging and sometimes come to within a few feet of you!
  2. Our fabulous adventure playground for families to enjoy
  3. Explore the Marshland Discovery Zone for both the young and young at heart

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Come and see passage waders such as redshanks and black-tailed godwits
  2. Migrating birds of prey stay long enough to hunt over the marshes
  3. Exuberant Cetti's warblers burst into song to claim their patch of reeds for winter

Top things to do in Winter

  1. Swirling flocks of countless lapwings and golden plovers shimmering in the winter sky
  2. Hunting peregrines plummeting after waders and ducks
  3. Whistling wigeons grazing the wetlands like feathered sheep

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Your photos

  • male Reed Bunting 7th May 2012
  • Wheatear 5th May 2012
  • Reed Warbler on the 5th May 2012
  • Reed Warbler
  • Young Linnet washing
  • Mute Swan chick
  • Little Grebe
  • Coot chicks

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Downloads

Map of Rainham Marshes

Map of Rainham Marshes

2.55Mb, PDF

Map with suggested walks and other features on the Rainham Marshes reserve

Date: 2 May 2012

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WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

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Living classrooms

Get your class or group exploring the natural world in fun and innovative ways.

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Extend your stay

Other places to visit

Male bearded tit hiding in reedbed

South Essex Marshes

Gateway to the largest wetland in Essex, on the doorstep of the Thames

Male bearded tit in tree

Newport Wetlands

Tranquil reedbeds and stunning views of the Severn estuary, close to civilisation

Ellins Tower at the RSPB South Stack cliffs nature reserve, Anglesey

South Stack Cliffs

A spectacular cliff and heathland seascape

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