A bright and warm sunny day in the last week of March so time to see if there were any signs of Spring at Rainham Marshes, and what better way to start the day than a walk along the river wall looking for Wheatears. Sadly, no sign of any Wheatears, but the sun had brought out three species of butterfly, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.
There were a few resident bird species proclaimng their territory, but the only bird that posed for any photos was one of the Rainham Kestrels.
On the reserve we were escorted past the Cordite Store by an army of Robins all trying to sing the loudest to catch our attention. There was also a solitary Chiffchaff flitting around at the tops of the trees, which dropped down momentarily for a quick shot.
Time for lunch in the Purfleet Hide with live entertainment right outside the window, including a rather tame Heron and a Magpie collecting mud for its nest. I am sure we have all seen Magpies breaking off twigs and carrying them off to their nest, but this is the first time I have seen one collecting mud.
Also part of the cabaret was this leucistic Wood Pigeon standing next to a more conventional specimen.
But the stars of the show today were the Stonechats along the river wall towards Coldharbour Lane. Sadly the female was camera shy, but the male was very confiding allowing a number of shots to be taken.
What I like about Rainham is that even on a quiet day there is always plenty to photograph, and I look forward to more visits as Spring progresses.
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