Rainham 01/11/19

Had a really good day at Rainham Marshes today, started off bit wet and windy but brightened up as the day went on.  Robins sang and Redwings flew over as we started off and we heard Cetti Warblers calling from the bushes.  Whilst we were at the center a Dartford Warbler called nearby but unfortunately could not be seen.

Marsh Harriers flew about looking for food, a Buzzard sat on a post and a Peregrine Falcon flew through the reserve.

We walked down to the Serin Mound and were surprised when a Short Eared Owl circled around us and then landed in the inner Avery Bay.

Short Eared Owl.

We reported our sightings at the centre and was shown a Caspian Gull on the edge of the Thames.  When we joined a few others on a walk, we went back down towards Averly Bay and there, was a quick glimpse of the white wings of a Snow Bunting flying down river along the sea wall.

We also saw Water, Rock and Meadow Pipits flying along the rivers edge.

Water Pipit.

In the bay there were Avocet, Dunlin, Shelduck, Redshank all feeding with a varitey of gulls.

Low Tide at Averly Bay.

As we entered the main reserve a Wood Pigeon was sitting on the hand rail looking a bit wet and wind swept.

Wood Pigeon.

In the wood land feeders Great and Blue tits kept dropping in and flying off with seads.

Great Tit.

From the Ken Barrett hide a Teal and Shovler were feeding.

Teal.

A Kestrel hovered above scanning for food.

Kestrel.

The Barn Owl was sitting outside of its box on full view.  Upon arriving back at the centre a Little Egret was feeding and a Sparrow Hawk flew over, which ended a really great day.

Here is our full list of birds from today, 72 in total.

Robin, Cetti Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Red Wing, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Wood Pigeon, Collard & Stock Dove, Feral Pigeon, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Skylark, Ring Necked Parakeet, 20 Avocet, Redshank, Teal, Wigeon, Goldfinch, Lapwing, Canada & Greylag Geese, Pied Wagtail, Meadow, Rock & 3 Water Pipit, Lesser Black Back, Great Black Back, Herring, Yellow Legged, Common, Black Headed & Caspian Gull, Pheasant, Black Tailed Godwit, 70 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 4 Fieldfare, Little & Great Crested Grebe, Chaffinch, Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, 6 Pintail, Linnet, Short Eared & Barn Owl, 2 Stonechat, Dartford Warbler, Snow Bunting, Snipe, Great Spotted & Green Wood Pecker, Moorhen, Coot, Pochard, Reed Bunting, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Little Egret.

Also had Red Admiral, a Seal and Migrant  Hawker which was a bit surprising.