Rainham Marshes (3 June 2023)
This month’s minibus trip took us to RSPB Rainham Marshes – always popular with our members.
With the tide coming in we decided to go along the riverbank towards Aveley Bay where a Glossy Ibis and a Little Stint had been reported earlier in the week. On our way we saw Reed Bunting, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, a couple of Common Terns flying across the river, Harbour Seals in the river and clouds of midges so plenty of food around for all the birds!
Looking over the reserve Marsh Harriers were flying low, presumably hunting for their next meal. A cuckoo was heard calling (seen by two of our group later in the day) and several Cetti’s Warblers were blasting out their song.
Approaching Aveley Bay we met up with Frankie Robertson, who had made his own way to the reserve, a couple of other bird watchers and Pat, a volunteer guide who then joined us and led us to an unfamiliar area.
Although there was no sign of the Ibis or Stint, we saw Avocet, 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 2 Grey Plover in their resplendent summer plumage and a good number of Gulls. Many of us however were drawn to watching a Mole which had somehow become stranded in the mud! Not sure I’ve ever seen a live Mole before, only the evidence of them. I personally found it hard to watch it struggling but as we moved on it seemed to be heading in the direction of the bank. I’m sure it made it as I read subsequently that they are good swimmers.
Pat, the RSPB volunteer, led us up towards the landfill site. There we saw and heard Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat and Corn Bunting. This area which we hadn’t been to before was covered with wildflowers and many of the birds were clearly nesting there. Several butterflies were spotted including Small Heath, Small White and Common Blue. Definitely an area to re-visit on future trips.
Whilst walking through this area, Pat talked about proposed changes to the site which may impact on the wildlife, hopefully for the better. He led us to the Serin Mound where we had great views over the whole reserve. Little Egret, Pheasant, Hobbies and Marsh Harriers were all visible and a Song Thrush was singing. On the Target and History pools two Greenshank were spotted among the Redshank.
Being with a RSPB volunteer we were luckily allowed to enter the reserve via the side gate so as lunchtime was approaching we headed towards the Shooting butts hide listening to noisy Marsh Frogs and hoping for Bearded Tits. None were seen nor heard by our group but another visitor had been lucky a few minutes earlier to see and photograph a juvenile Bearded Tit on one of the grit trays.
During our quick lunchbreak, we observed Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler and Buzzard, to name but a few.
As the boardwalk from the Shooting butts hide to the Ken Barrett Hide is closed we had to retrace our steps to return to the visitor centre, popping into each of the other hides on our way. Still no Bearded Tit sightings but a Common Lizard was seen on the boardwalk. Debbie and I were intrigued by a moth seen flying over some of our group. Luckily Rebecca had seen where it landed in a bush on top of one of the Shooting butts so we stood for ages trying to get photos to enable identification. It turned out to be a Cream-spot Tiger Moth – a new species for both of us.
A juvenile Little Grebe was alone in the channel near the Purfleet Hide. Assume parents were somewhere nearby.
Other ducks spotted included Gadwall, Mallard and Pochard.
Once at the Visitor Centre some members enjoyed refreshments and a sit down, others choosing to walk through the woodland area to the Ken Barrett hide where there was a Greylag family with 10 goslings, 3 Little Grebe and duelling Marsh Frogs. The Cuckoo was heard calling near this Hide.
In the woodland there were Blue and Great Tits plus singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and a couple more Blue butterflies were seen.
Whilst in the Visitor Centre in the morning one of our group, Val, was lucky enough to see the Short Eared Owl. Bob, who was with Val, had made an untimely visit to the toilets and missed it!
A very enjoyable day in the sunshine. Noted 68 birds, 6 species of butterfly, 1 lizard and 1 mole.
by Sandra Hucks