A Day with the Macro Lens at Rainham Marshes

11th August 2018

Although billed as a day with my macro lens I thought I would start off by walking along the river wall with my big lens looking for migrants. But sadly, like most other parts of the UK at the present time, it was very quiet. However, the joy of Rainham is that there is always a strong supporting cast like these three.

The Tug Reclaim

The Tug Svitzer Vale

Bombadier Dash 8 Going Into City Airport

In fact the only passerine that put its head above the parapet at the visitor centre end was this juvenile House Sparrow moulting into its male plumage.

Further along in Aveley Bay the Black-tailed Godwits were enjoying the acres of mud at low tide in the sunshine, with some still showing signs of their summer plumage.

In the large reed bed just before the fenced off area a number of Reed Warblers were churring away deep in the reeds, only showing briefly as they moved from one side of the reed bed to the other. However, one inquisitive individual eventually posed for a shot before diving back into cover.

At the Coldharbour Lane end there were quite a few Whitethroats in the bushes on the roadside bank but, like the Reed Warblers, were mainly skulking. However, patience paid off and one bird posed quite nicely on a Buddleia bush.

Now on to the reserve and time to dust off the macro lens. It is getting a little late in the season for flowers, but a few were still hanging on as shown in this next sequence.

Bristly Ox-tongue

Woody Nightshade

Woody Nightshade

Chicory

Guelder Rose

Field Bindweed

Ragwort

Scentless Mayweed

There were a few Migrant Hawkers and Ruddy Darters around but, being a hot day were lathe to settle. In fact the only cooperative dragonflies were this mating pair of Small Red-eyed Damselflies.

Butterflies were also on the wing, although not in large numbers.

Small White

Speckled Wood

Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper

Meadow Brown

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Very little on the bird front, but this adult Goldfinch did seem to be seeking attention.

The only other insects worthy of note were this grasshopper and a Marmalade Fly

I decided to finish off the day in the Wildlife Garden where I bumped into fellow togs Ian Plume, Helen Mathias and Stephen Elwell and spent a good half an hour catching up on the news. I also managed some shots of Holly Blue and Mint Moth.

Helen then showed me the Wasp Spider webs in the car park so I was able to get some shots in addition to those taken of the web I found by the Ken Barrett hide.

But without a doubt the star of the show today was the Rambur's Pied Shieldbug feeding on Black Horehound in the Wildlife Garden. The Pied Shieldbug is common in southern England, but in 2011 the Rambur's Pied Shieldbug was found at two sites in Kent following a rapid expansion on the continent. It has now established itself in the Wildlife Garden at Rainham with several specimens present, and is the first and currently the only record in Essex.

How good is that!!!!!