Weekend time! Rainham, Rye Meads or South Essex Marshes?

[SpikyPhasmid]

I had such a good time at Rainham the other weekend I want to go back - or should I check out other reserves? South Essex marshes and Rye Meads seem easy to get to from London by train (I have no car, but my legs work great). Church Woods seems a bit awkward.
I'm leaning towards Rye Meads or Rainham so far, does anyone have recommendations?

[RoyW]

As well as the RSPB/Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust reserve at Rye Meads, there are many other parts of the Lee Valley that are easily accessible by train - such as the River Lee Country Park (CHeshunt station) and Amwell (not too far to walk from Stanstead Abbotts station).
For birds, winter is often considered the best time to visit the Lee Valley Regional Park because that is the time that you can find Goosander, Smew, Bitterns etc - so definitely one to bear in mind for the future (if not this weekend).
PM me if you want more specific information about any of the sites/wildlife in the area.

[SpikyPhasmid]

Thanks, I will probably message you about that - I loked up Lee Valley Country Park and it looks a nice place to get away to, maybe for a whole weekend. I'd also like to see smew.
I ended up going to Rainham today, where I saw this kestrel hunting.

[ellen h]

Two Tree island is good for birdwatching especially in the next few weeks when the Brent geese come in for the winter.Its just a 10 minute walk from Leigh-on-Sea rail station on the Fenchurch line.All sorts of birds can be seen-depending on the tide and the view out into the estuary is great....

[Ukwildlifeo]

I went to Rainham last weekend, stuck on my macro lens and it took nearly 4 hours to get round there was so much to photograph!

South Essex Marshes: Wat Tyler Country Park + RSPB Vange Marsh are within reach of Pitsea Station. Vange has had spoonbills recently + I spend A LOT of time in Wat Tyler and get some nice photos there and its good for inverts and some birds (though many are too distant for photos) but it can get busy and always has dog walkers, many of which seem to think its a dog playground toilet.

[Jacksnipe5000]

I was at Rainham on Saturday too. First time i've been in the new hide - very impressive! Didn't see an awful lot out of the ordinary but sparrows and collared doves are always a treat when living in west London! I can hear nuthatches outside my window right now. Must do some work!

[SpikyPhasmid]

Which hide was that, the really huge one overlooking the water?
I saw a pair of collared doves by the feeder area in the woodland bit.
Ukwildlifeo, I got a really odd look from someone for crouching down to photograph a caterpillar on the boardwalk.