A Spring Day at Rainham Marshes

18th March 2024

It was forecast to be a bright sunny day so off to Rainham Marshes in the hope of seeing some spring flowers, butterflies and some birds as a bonus. Well, all the best laid plans and all that. It remained cloudy all day so that put paid to the butterflies and I didn't see one all day, even in the sheltered Cordite Store.

Fortunately the flowers couldn't go back into hiding and here are the ones I saw.

Daisy

Dandelion

Blackthorn

Sallow

White Dead-nettle

Red Dead-nettle

The water levels are still very high which obviously suits the ducks such as these Teal, Pochard and Shoveler. It never ceases to amaze me that a dull grey and brown bird such as female Pochard can be so photogenic.

The Lapwings are now pairing up and looking resplendent in their kaleidoscopic colours, and plenty of display flights

Now on to the Butts Hide where most of the islands are under water so no waders, which is a bad omen for the breeding Avocets. However, this was offset by a brilliant display by the resident male Marsh Harrier.

But the stars of the show today were the pair of Great Crested Grebes which were nest-buidling in front of the Purflet Hide. Both birds were now in their best breeding attire with the male having the slightly larger and more showy crests

So then the process of building the nest gets underway. Do you think this is big enough?

No, you need to start with some long reeds such as these.

What, like this one.

And then when the nest starts taking shape you stand on it to see if it sinks. Oh dear, we need some more reeds!!

And then when the nest is finsished we need to make some eggs!!!

An absolutely fabulous day despite the lack of sun.