Rainham Marshes appeal

Vinnie the water vole

Rainham Marshes is one of Britain's most important places for water voles like me. If it wasn't for this place, I tell you, we'd be in serious trouble! If there was just a bit more space for more of us, I'd be a very happy vole!

You may not live near Rainham Marshes, but there could be an area just as important to wildlife somewhere near you. If you would like to learn more about the area you live in and the wildlife that lives there, join thousands of other people that do and register for the Wildsquare project at www.rspb.org.uk/wildsquare

Shortie the short-eared owl

I need the right kind of place to hunt for food, especially in winter when I have to keep my strength up. Marshland is home to all kinds of small animals I like to eat. No marshland means I go hungry.

I use my excellent hearing and flying skills to hunt over Rainham's marshes and grasslands during winter. The special shape of my face channels sound to my ears, which are actually inside my head.

Ruby the redshank

I need mud full of worms and shallow water to wade in. Rainham Marshes is just what I'm looking for.

Heron and fish game (105Kb): Can you make the heron catch the fish? Print out and stick onto card, then colour in.
Quiz snapper (202Kb): Print out, fold up, get snapping!
Water vole snapper (98Kb): Print out (double-sided, or stick two pieces together), colour in, fold up, get snapping!
Sleepy and wide-awake short-eared owl (110Kb): Print out and colour in. How sleepy is your owl?
Redshank mask (108Kb): Print out, stick onto card and colour in.
Short-eared owl mask (116Kb): Print out, stick onto card and colour in.
Water vole mask (110Kb): Print out, stick onto card and colour in.

BBC: water vole