A Winter's Day at Rainham Marshes

12th December 2017

Although most of the snow had disappeared, the temperature was still below freezing resulting in a persistent frost and ice on some of the paths and boardwalks, so caution was the name of the game. All the open water was frozen and therefore a total lack of ducks and waders so I decided on an anti-clockwise route today, as I thought that the woodland might be home to a few winter thrushes. As I walked along the track a flock of Greylag Geese flew past, with a Greylag/domestic goose hybrid in the lead.

In the woodland there were indeed a few Redwings and Fieldfares but all very skittish so no chance of any photos, and I had to rely on the usual suspects like Collared Doves. Collared Doves have always been present at Rainham but seem to be increasing in numbers, which is the opposite from home where they are now absent from the garden.

No Redwings or Fieldfares to photograph but this female Blackbird was more obliging as she fed on Ivy berries.

Along by the feeders the only bird that seemed interested in the seed on offer was this female Reed Bunting which posed well on a twig, and one of the numerous Robins seemed keen to get in on the photo shoot.

Back at the feeders by the visitors centre, the sparrows were putting on a show as usual. I am more than happy with this as where I live they have declined rapidly since I was a boy, although I am seeing a few more in the garden recently.

The Starlings were looking resplendent in the sunshine and, in my opinion, are a grossly under-rated bird. Just look at the markings and colours on those birds.

And it was also very rewarding to see a blue Tit feeding on some natural seeds rather than hanging on a feeder.

But the star of the show today was the Water Rail that threw away the rule book and posed in the open in one of the reed cuttings just to the west of the Ken Barrett Hide. Rainham never disappoints.