Friday 4 May 2018

Spring Has Sprung at Rainham Marshes

21st April 2018

Spring has at last sprung, so off to Rainham Marshes to see if the reserve was alive with the sound of warblers. However, the initial welcoming committee consisted of the ever-present House Sparrows, a rather smart cock Linnet and a little Jenny Wren in full song.












Despite the warmth of the day, butterflies were still in short supply and the only shots I managed to get were of a Green-veined White and a Small Tortoiseshell, both taken with a prime 560mm lens.




Sadly, once again the Kingfishers seem to have deserted the Kingfisher bank, and the only bird on show was the resident Little Grebe which is always very obliging.


At the Purfleet Hide the main interest was the Shovelers all looking resplendent in their breeding plumage. At one point the male hauled itself out onto the bank quite close to the hide. It could clearly hear the clicking of shutters but couldn't work out where the noise was coming from.






But now for the business at hand, the singing of newly arrived warblers all setting up their territories. Both Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats were fairly numerous along the river wall and looked stunning in their fresh plumage set off by equally fresh Hawthorn foliage. What a fantastic time of the year !!!!




















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