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.

A Tawny Pipit at Landguard Point

1st May 2026

A Tawny Pipit was reported at Landguard Point on the 29th April and was still present today, its third day, so seemed quite settled and well worth a visit. The report said it was spending most of its time in the fenced off area. I assumed this was the area fenced off all the year round near the southern tip of The Point which would be ideal as it is relatively small and fairly flat. Sadly that proved not to be the case, and they were referring to the much larger area fenced off to protect the nesting Ringed Plovers.

This area is quite large, at least 60 yards across and several times longer with several ridges running along its length making seeing into the area more difficult. So distance was always going to be a problem, but let us not forget Landguard's dubious distinction of having the highest heat haze due to the type of soil and extremely short sward. So that's got the problems out of the way and see how we get on.

It was spending nearly all of its time in the valleys between the ridges and therefore could only be seen from the ends and mostly at considerable distance. Therefore it was a matter of watching from the ends and when it showed signs of climbing on to a ridge position yourself along the side and hope it will emerge close to where you are standing,

I only got it right once and the bird was only in view for about 10 seconds before disappearing into the valley once more. Here are the four record shots I managed to get of the bird in the Sea Campion, but at least you can see what it is.

Wood Sandpipers at King's Meads

30th  April 2026

It is fairly normal to see one or two Wood Sandpipers on Spring migration through the Lea Valley, but when a report of eight at King's Meads came through it was too much to resist. They were on the flood on Park Mead which has attracted them in the past, and this time were best viewed from the East bank.

Although there were eight of them viewing wasn't aways easy as they would often disappear into areas where they couldn't be seen, and even when they did come into view were often obscured by emergent vegetation. So while I was waiting for them to re-appear I grabbed a couple of shots of the other usual King's Meads suspects at this time of year, a Sedge Warbler and a male Reed Bunting.

I then spent the next couple of hours taking shots of the sandpipers when they came a little closer and hopefully unobscured.

Well what a great morning and quite a social event with Lee Evans, Stuart Fox, Chris Gibson, Kevin and Sandra Stanbridge, and also good to meet the Managing Director of South-east Herts RSPB Group Coach Tours, Paul Ballantyne.

Marsh Harrier Update 24th April.....and a Surprise!!

24th April 2026

It's three weeks since my last visit to Fowlmere so time for another visit to see how the harriers are getting on. The male was fairly active with quite a few laps of the site. However, the difference today was that he was hunting whereas he normally only hunts off-site.

With no success the male eventually left the site to try his luck in the surrounding area. All this time there was no sign of the female so hopefully she is sitting on eggs. So how do you get a female harrier off the nest ainto the air?................FOOD!!!

She could hear the male approaching and left the nest and gained height to meet him...............

....................calling as she went.

This food pass wasn't the tradtional food drop by the male and caught by the female. Instead he kept hold of the prey and she followed him until she could take it from him.

Nearly there.

Reach out.

SUCCESS!!

What an amazing thing to witness.

So what about the surprise. Well I was waiting for some harrier activity when a Curlew flew low and silently across the mere, and I managed to grab a shot as it went past. I have since had a look at my photos and it has a short bill, a prominent eye-stripe and you can just about make out a central crown stripe, and is therefore a Whimbrel.

Ade Cooper has confirmed the ID and says they are less than annual at Fowlmere and therefore a good record.

Well, what a fantastic day and good to meet Christine Henry.