Rainham RSPB

The first full circuit of Rainham in an age. I had No1 Son and we arrived at the center for about 10ish and with the weather looking Ok we couldnt have asked for more.

 

It has been a while; there has been a few changes to the walk as well it seems with new viewing areas being put in to enhance the experience.

 

As we came off the ramp we headed right towards the woodland but initially stopped and scoped the scrape. Teal, Wigeon were in good numbers along with Greylag & Canada Geese, it was whilst scanning the back of the scrape that a white rump darted in front of the view briefly and down into a gulley. A few minutes later and there it was a fresh faced looking Wheatear, my first of the Autumn.

 

Heath was being pretty vocal so the chances of seeing much close up was thin so distance birding was the order of the day and as such not much seen within the Woodland area; heard a fair bit though, mixed tits, cettis warbler...the usual around this area.

 

My Boggie bird over Rainham is the Barn Owl; three years ive been going over there and i still havnt seen one; even today i was told in the center that one had been sticking its head out the Woodland Box all morning; not when i get there.....

 

From the gate half way between the old stump and Barretts hide two distant Marsh Harriers, which i managed better views of one as we met half way along the Northern Boardwalk while it hunted this time within the fox fence.

 

I found two magicians trying to turn a Redshank into a Spot Red from distance; i must admit to getting my wand out and having a go myself but i failed, a Redshanks a Redshank. No matter how many incantations we tried, it remained as was. We all left happy knowing we hadnt miss ID'd it.

 

Other than that i bumped into Steve, the dagenham chase, Drake and had a really pleasnt couple of hours in the reserve. I wont leave it as long next time.....