Rainham marshes

[clover green]

Over the bank holiday weekend I finally made a visit to Rainham Marshes and was pleased with what I encountered there. That day, they recorded the most sightings ever, a total of 92 different species, including 63 different birds. They were still adding to the totals when I left, so the end of day result was probably higher. It was a very warm, sunny day and it was a pleasure to be in such surroundings. As locals we even got in for free, but made contributions to the rspb in lieu, plus I was able to add to my collection of rspb badges. This time I found such diversity, from dragonflies, toads, sandlizards, badgers, red squirrels, etc. Talk about spoilt for choice, but I ended up getting a blackbird, a badger and a goldfinch. I hope to get more next time. All in all, it was an eventful trip, especially as we got to see a Hobby and a little Egret(?), plus others. Hope to return very soon.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by clover green

Over the bank holiday weekend I finally made a visit to Rainham Marshes and was pleased with what I encountered there. That day, they recorded the most sightings ever, a total of 92 different species, including 63 different birds. They were still adding to the totals when I left, so the end of day result was probably higher. It was a very warm, sunny day and it was a pleasure to be in such surroundings. As locals we even got in for free, but made contributions to the rspb in lieu, plus I was able to add to my collection of rspb badges. This time I found such diversity, from dragonflies, toads, sandlizards, badgers, red squirrels, etc. Talk about spoilt for choice, but I ended up getting a blackbird, a badger and a goldfinch. I hope to get more next time. All in all, it was an eventful trip, especially as we got to see a Hobby and a little Egret(?), plus others. Hope to return very soon.

Sounds great - if you're local you should go regularly. It's a great place and, once you've logged all those big animals, you can start looking at the beetles of which there are some serious rarities!

[yellowhammer]

Sounds like a smashing day I'm not sure about the sand lizards and red squirrels though...

[Ukwildlifeo]

would this be Rainham Essex? Im a local to there. Been trying to organise a meet there on here without much sucess. Was the spoonill still around? Ive only managed 2 visits this summer as its stupidly hard to get to on the bus considering its in greater london. Both trips were worth it thou

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

would this be Rainham Essex? Im a local to there. Been trying to organise a meet there on here without much sucess. Was the spoonill still around? Ive only managed 2 visits this summer as its stupidly hard to get to on the bus considering its in greater london. Both trips were worth it thou

There was a Spotted Crake seen there yesterday, maybe just hiding today! And there's been a Red-backed Shrike that seems to have finally gone, but there for best part of a week.

A great place for all sorts of wildlife, not just birds!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

There was a Spotted Crake seen there yesterday, maybe just hiding today! And there's been a Red-backed Shrike that seems to have finally gone, but there for best part of a week.

A great place for all sorts of wildlife, not just birds!

I always miss those sort of things lol. I went to rainham for the water voles and dragonflies - the birds (and HUGe marsh frogs) are a bonus

[clover green]

Originally Posted by yellowhammer

Sounds like a smashing day I'm not sure about the sand lizards and red squirrels though...

Why? They are very nice badges, hope to buy the red squirrel next time.

[clover green]

Originally Posted by clover green

Over the bank holiday weekend I finally made a visit to Rainham Marshes and was pleased with what I encountered there. That day, they recorded the most sightings ever, a total of 92 different species, including 63 different birds. They were still adding to the totals when I left, so the end of day result was probably higher. It was a very warm, sunny day and it was a pleasure to be in such surroundings. As locals we even got in for free, but made contributions to the rspb in lieu, plus I was able to add to my collection of rspb badges. This time I found such diversity, from dragonflies, toads, sandlizards, badgers, red squirrels, etc. Talk about spoilt for choice, but I ended up getting a blackbird, a badger and a goldfinch. I hope to get more next time. All in all, it was an eventful trip, especially as we got to see a Hobby and a little Egret(?), plus others. Hope to return very soon.

I have just realised that the statements I made above are rather confusing! The creatures listed above, "dragonflies, toads, sandlizard, badgers, red squirrels", etc were part of the wide range of rspb badges for sale & I purchased, a blackbird, badger & goldfinch. Perhaps, I shouldn't have used the word diversity to describe the wide range of badges available. But I had only ever seen birds before, hence my delight.
But we did see lots of local birds & other wildlife inc, the hobby, little Egret, (as noted above). Sorry for the confusion.

[yellowhammer]

Originally Posted by clover green

I have just realised that the statements I made above are rather confusing! The creatures listed above, "dragonflies, toads, sandlizard, badgers, red squirrels", etc were part of the wide range of rspb badges for sale & I purchased, a blackbird, badger & goldfinch. Perhaps, I shouldn't have used the word diversity to describe the wide range of badges available. But I had only ever seen birds before, hence my delight.
But we did see lots of local birds & other wildlife inc, the hobby, little Egret, (as noted above). Sorry for the confusion.

Whoops, my mistake! I thought you'd seen those species at Rainham, which would have been very special

I'll read a bit slower next time...

[clover green]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

would this be Rainham Essex? Im a local to there. Been trying to organise a meet there on here without much sucess. Was the spoonill still around? Ive only managed 2 visits this summer as its stupidly hard to get to on the bus considering its in greater london. Both trips were worth it thou

Yes, the Rainham in Essex. No, the spoon bill wasn't there when I went. That was a real shame. I heard it was there a couple of weeks previous and so went in the hope of seeing it. I saw quite a selction of birds, but being a enthusiatic beginner (I know the garden birds & not much more) I wasn't able to correctly identifly them. But ,I was able to name a few. Quite a few others were pointed out to me.
It was only afterwards when we went to get refreshments, that I found out you could get a free checklist, (I grabbed one to keep for next time, very handy I think).
I was impressed at how many younger people (of student age) were keen bird-watchers and school-aged kids too, so refreshing.
I did check-out the idea of getting there by public transport, but it looked pretty difficult. But now I know exactly where the Marshes is located, I would try it, as long as I could get timetables of the bus schedules first. But, by car, it is quick & easy.
This was my first time at Rainham Marshes, had a lovely time.