Rainham Marshes

With Wildlife Explorers completed for another month, I took the opportunity to wander round the Marshes in the hope for early migrants.  It was cold and it didn't feel like an afternoon for a keen northern wanderer to fly through - it felt very much like winter.

A Jack Snipe was a nice surprise on the Purfleet Scrape that showed well albeit distantly on one of the small islands.  There were ten Golden Plover present there as were eight Pintail.

The Barn Owl was showing again from it's favoured home along the woodland treeline.  Around the reserve, six Common Snipe were seen flying around, and two Water Pipit flew into the scrape seen from the Butts hide.


A female Stonechat flew into scrub near to the Ken Barrett hide, and a single Fieldfare disappeared into cover.

On Aveley Bay, a lone Avocet was present along with three Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover, and four Dunlin.

A Short-eared Owl was seen briefly before disappearing toward the landfill.

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