The Rat-catcher of Rainham Marshes

20th April 2023

The plan today was to walk along the river wall looking for Wheatears. I did manage to see two but they were both very skittish so no photos. However it was good to meet up with Russ Sherriff, Steven Elwell and Alan Shearman during the search. Did see a rather wonderful Peacock on the wall  and there did seem to be more Linnets than usual, but the stars of the show today were the newly arrived Whitethroats that appeared to be singing from every bush.

On the reserve Purfleet Scrape was very quiet although there was some flight activity from the male Shovelers, but now time for a quick look at the feeding station.

The feeding station is very popular with the birds, but unfortunately also the local population of Brown Rats. Not a problem as this is their home and we are the intruders but the fallen seed concentrates them in one area and on my last visit there were six on the feeders alone without counting the ones on the ground feeding on the fallen seed.

This is of course good news to the local Kestrels which can just sit above the feeding area and wait. Kestrels may struggle with a full-grown rat, but there are now a number of small youngsters scurrying round which are a perfect size for Kestrels. This male was having a feast.

And from a photographic perspective this is ideal because he was so intent on looking down for prey he was totally oblivious to my presence so you could get quite close.