A Historic Moment at Rainham Marshes

18th March 2026

A lovely spring day and as I stepped from the car I could immediately hear a singing Blackcap and two Chiffchaffs so hopefully a good omen, but unfortunately nothing after that. I started by walking along the sea wall and despite the lack of bird song there were signs of spring everywhere like this Peacock butterfly. There were also many Brimstones but all too busy to settle.

There was also a good selection of wild flowers.

Alexanders

Red Dead-nettle

Storksbill

Sweet Violet

Dandelion

There was a nectaring bee on the Dandelion which I suspect may be a mining bee but will have to wait until the experts come along.

As I have said in previous posts this winter there has been a bumper crop of Hawthorn berries. However, I suspect there has also been a bumper crop in Scandinavia as the winter thrushes did not start arriving until January and then in onlysmall numbers, and here we are in March with not a single berry eaten!!

The bushes were very quiet apart from a few Linnets which were starting to pair up.

Aveley Bay was also quiet despite a rising tide with just a single Curlew near the shore.

So now on to the Purfleet Hide to photograph the usual suspects in perfect light. First up was this Heron which was feeding quite close in.

And today a Lapwing was strutting its stuff right outside the window. Just look at that kaleidoscope of colours!!!

And the Shovelers and Pintails looking resplendent in their best gear.

But my favourite today was this rather cute female Pochard.

So what about the historic moment? Well I was making my way back up the ramp to the visitor centre when I heard a rather interesting aircraft engine. I turned round and there in the distance was a red biplane.

I looked up the registration number G-ACDC and was amazed at what I read. It was first registered in 1933 and was only the 3rd Tiger Moth ever built. It entered service with the RAF as BB726 during World War II and was restored in 1953. 

This was the oldest Tiger Moth still flying but that didn't count for much in the 1960s so it was flown in crazy flying displays and ultimately came to grief at Rochester in Kent on the 8th September 1963. All four wings had to be replaced and the forward fuselage rebuilt. That was a wake-up call and was treated more gently afterwards and here it is still airworthy in 2026.

So now not so much the oldest Tiger Moth flying because of all its replacement parts, but more like Trigger's Broom!!!!!

The Spoonbills Are Back

11th March 2026

Just heard the Spoonbills are back in the Abberton heronry so time for a visit to see how they are getting on. Upon my arrival at the Layer Breton causeway I had a quick scan of the reservoir both sides of the road. Scarcely a duck to be seen and the only one close enough for a photo was this lone female Goldeneye. What cute little birds!!

On the flooded field at the south-east end of the causeway a pair of Egyptian Geese were bathing.

Or at least I thought they were.

Don't blame me, I've had a very sheltered upbringing.

So now down to the heronry where all the action is. But before I got started a female Marsh Harrier wafted over the heronry causing an explosion of Spoonbills. The good news is that she put on quite a show.

Herons are early nesters so were already in the heronry..........................

.............................with some already on nests.

The Spoonbills on the other hand had only been back in the heronry a few days and were staking out their preferred nest site, but very little else. Here are a couple of shots of them returning to the heronry after being disturbed by the harrier.

They may be very graceful in the air but are ungainly in trees especially in a strong wind.

Most of the time was spent sleeping and preening.

Well, nice to see them back and looking forward to photographing some young in the nest.

The Hertford Goosander

5th March 2026

I had popped down to Hartham Common to see if the Kingfisher was about. No luck there but the long-staying female Goosander was once again on the weir. Unfortunately, one must question the origin of this bird as Goosanders are fairly uncommon winter visitors to Hertfordshire and normally confined to places like Amwell and the Ashley Pit in Cheshunt, This individal was first reported from Hartham Common on the 14th August 2025, which is a ridiculously early date for a winter visitor. Also, ranging as far as Ware, she is very tame and can be photographed down to five yards as can be seen from some of the photos.

Even provided a wing-flap which only just fitted in the frame.

But even more worrying about her origin is the fact that she climbed out of the water on to the bank to steal some bread that had been put out for the ducks. Here she is soaking the bread in the water to soften it, which suggests she may have done that before. I wonder where she learnt that?

Still a lovely bird though.

Also good to have a catch-up with Trevor Charnley.