My First Visit to Wallasea Island This Winter

28th October 2026

No Short-eared Owls reported so far at Wallasea, but I thought I would pop in as I was in the area. I headed straight for the "white gate" as it provides a commanding view over the eastern end of the reserve, so you can spot any owls or harriers and see what area they are favouring. I should point out that although most people know the famous white gate, newcomeres may be slightly confused because it is now lying in the ditch. It would be nice if it could be tied to the new fence to re-instate it as the famous landmark in its former glory.

A quick scan with the bins revealed a ring-tail Hen Harrier hunting in the distance and I managed to grab a few record shots before it flew way. Well, that was a good start.

About half an hour later a Short-eared Owl appeared and was quartering the same piece of land for a while, so I decided to abandon my plan to wait for the Barn Owl to appear from the barns by the entrance, and walk down the track to where the shortie was hunting. Just as I arrived there a Barn Owl appeared on a post in the middle of the tall vegetation, and after a couple of shots took to the air and spent the rest of the afternoon hunting along the far sea wall.

After a few minutes the shortie re-appeared and gave some opportuniteis for some flight shots, many in good light which with these birds is a bonus.

And then finally....................IN FOR THE KILL!!!!!!!!!

Well, what a great first visit of the winter. The fact that there are already three Barn Owls and two Short-eared Owls is an encouarging sign as it is probably more than the site had for the whole of last winter. Let's hope it is a bumper year.

Also great to spend a most enjoyable hour having a catch-up with my good mate Iain James.

Stonechats at King's Meads

30th October 2026

After a most successful evening at King's Meads on Thursday, I thought I would try my luck again on a beautifully sunny evening. I set up in the same location and waited for the Barn Owl to appear. On Thursday it appeared at 4pm, but tonight not until 4.40pm, and don't know whether it was late coming out or had been somewhere else first.

Also, unlike Thursday, it covered a fairly wide area but at no time came close, coupled with the fact that the light was fading. At about 4.50pm a second owl appeared.

So no luck tonight, but I did manage to photograph a pair of Stonechats by way of compensation. 

Tonight was a reminder that Barn Owls are so unpredicatable, and we need to remember that their time of appearance is more to do with how hungry they are, rather than the time of day. The Stonechats were a welcome distraction.

I'll be back!!!!

Barn Owls at King's Meads

27th October 2026

Now that it's that time of year when the clocks have gone back our thoughts turn to owling and what better place to start than our local reserve at King's Meads. I went to my favourite vantage point at 3pm and settled down for a long wait. At 4pm a Barn Owl appeared in the distance but did evenually start quartering the ground and came closer for some shots.

A second Barn Owl appeared at one point flying down the river, but disappeared over Ware Park.

Well, that was very successful, and good to have a catch-up with Stuart Fox.

A Water Pipit at Rainham Marshes

22nd October 2026

There has been a Pectoral Sandpiper at Rainham Marshes since the 12th October, but it can go missing at times, so time for a look. I started in the Purfleet Hide where there was plenty to keep you occupied. A Pied Wagtail was feeding on the margins of the closest island and a Snipe was doing its best to be un-noticed whilst pretending to be asleep. Unfortunately they can hear the camera shutter so keep an eye on you.

The male Shovelers are now well through their eclipse moult and are nearly back to their breeding plumage.

Wigeon are starting to return for the winter and although there were about six present today, only one come close enough for a shot.

Had a quick wing stretch................

...................before deciding to have a bathe.

And then time for a little preening..................

......................before the wing flap to dry those wings.

Still only about six Pintails around and no obvious males....................

......................but this one on the right was showing signs of some pale grey feathers on its flank.

There were a few waders present on the high tide rosst, mainly Curlews and Black-tailed Godwits. 

But then as the tide started to go out they left the scrape to feed on the exposed mud on the river. But how did they know how far it gone out, or were they just hungry?

No sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper on its favourite haunts on or around the Ken Barrett Hide, so on to the Butts Hide where a Stonechat appeared on the electric fencing along the track.

As I arrived at the Butts Hide Paul Richardson had just found a Water Pipit. Unfortunately it was on the far bank so quite a long way away for such a small bird, but I did manage to get some record shots.

A great find Paul, but next time can you find one a bit closer?!!!

Also managed to get a lone Rock Pipit on the rocks by Aveley Bay. Only a back view I'm afraid, but even from this angle you can see the smudgy striations on a grey ground colour.

So OK I dipped on the North American Pectoral Sandpiper which may still be present but hidden away on this large reserve. However, it was more than compensated for by the discovery of this Himalayan Red Panda hiding amongst the Hawthorn on the river wall. I have seen them in zoos, but this is the first one I have seen in the wild!!!

Well what a great day and good to have a catch-up with Russ Sherriff, Tom Bell, Paul Richardson and Stephen Elwell, and to meet Cameron Tramley and Barry Jones.