Young Birders at Rainham Marshes

4th January 2019

A late Happy New Year to everyone!

At around 10am, Arjun, Calum, Alex, Samuel, Dante and I met up at Rainham Marshes, in the visitor centre. From there, we walked along the path next to the river, and in front of us were Stonechats and Meadow Pipits. By the riverbank, there were many Shelducks, Redshank, Dunlin and Avocet. There was also a Rock Pipit briefly sitting in roughly the same area, but when I reviewed my photos later, I was just taking photos of a rock!

Stonechat

Waders and Shelduck on the riverbank

We then walked beside a large mound, which was a rubbish tip, home to many gulls! On its steep sides were Skylarks, Goldfinches and Linnets, and to the left, a Marsh Harrier soared low over the reedbeds. Eventually, we reached a more industrial area, filled with factories and cargo. However, there was a small wildlife haven there, in the form of concrete barges. This is where Caspian Gulls, a species which has become increasingly common in Britain, can sometimes be found, and thanks to Dante, we managed to see one!

 

A Kestrel flying over the mound

There's a Caspian in there somewhere...


...There it is!

We then walked along a canal path and up a hill, from where we saw a Sparrowhawk and another Marsh Harrier, over a field of Canada Geese and Stock Doves. Along the path back to the visitor centre, we spent much time following some Rock and Meadow Pipits around. We then went back to the visitor centre for lunch. 

Marsh Harrier


Record shot of a Meadow Pipit

After lunch, we walked through an area where in summer, we'd seen Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Emeralds. Here, there was a very friendly Robin, who seemed to like Alex's croutons. Around the corner was the owl nestbox, where Ben met us. Lucky for us, there was a Barn Owl, hidden in the branches. At the Ken Barrett hide, a huge flock of gulls were seen taking off from the tip, and along the boardwalk, there were Reed Buntings, and we had a very brief glimpse of a Water Rail. At the Shooting Butts Hide, we were all very confused if there was a Snipe on one of the islands, or if it was just a patch of grass! There was also a large number of Shoveler, and a few Pintails. 

The friendly Robin

The hidden Barn Owl

A huge flock of gulls from the tip!

Reed Bunting

It was coming onto dusk, and we decided to look for Short-eared Owls, a key species at the reserve. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful, but we were greeted by a beautiful sunset. 

The Thames at sunset

Central London and Canary Wharf in the distance