Black-winged Stilts at Rainham Marshes

3rd May 2026

Three Black-winged Stilts appeared at Rainham Marshes on the 26th April but had reduced to two, a male and a female, by the 2nd May so time for a visit to see what was going on. The birds had been alternating between the Marshland Discovery Zone (MDZ) and the Winter Pools so I started at the MDZ. As I walked up the track to the entrance to the hide I could see one of the stilts at the back of the pools, but by the time I got into the hide it had disappeared.

I gave it half an hour with no sign so went for a wander down to the Target Pools and when I came back both birds had re-appeared albeit a bit distant, so it was just a matter of settling down with a sandwich and waiting for the action to begin. After a while they came close enough for some shots. This is the male with a jet black mantle.

And here the female is on the right with a dark brown mantle and a darker head.

The female also has a more slender appearance.

The MDZ pools are home to about 20 Avocets which as we all know are very territorial and will see off any intruders. However, they are not used to the intruders fighting back and were a bit unsure what to do.

At that point the female took on what can only be described as a submissive posture.

During this time the male was strutting round preening and bobbing up and down.

Yes, and you can all guess what happened next.

Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope we get some stiltlets.

Also good to have a catch-up with Andy Reid and Jim Camball.