SS15 wildlife watching: Trip away from SS15 – RSPB Rainham Marshes

Today, I decided to visit RSPB Rainham Marshes prompted by a report of a Wood Warbler the previous day. This is an uncommon passage migrant In Essex and Greater London although I have recorded it on a single occasion many years ago. My annual Wood Warbler sightings are almost always from their breeding range in the oak woodlands of Wales which I will be again visiting in May as normal.

RSPB Rainham Marshes is not far from my home and easily visited by public transport which I do several times a year.

RSPB Rainham Marshes protects 411 hectares of ancient, low-lying grazing marsh in the Thames Estuary. Its complex of wet grassland, reedbeds, scrapes, pools and ditches, together with grassland, scrub and woodland, supports many breeding and wintering birds. Wildlife also includes scarce wetland plants and insects and a key population of the nationally declining Water Vole.

Photo: RSPB Rainham Marshes from the visitor centre

Unfortunately, it appeared that the Wood Warbler had moved on overnight given that there were no reports of it during my visit or indeed during the subsequent days.

However, I had a very enjoyable and successful visit walking round the circular trail which resulted in 6 additions to my 2024 UK year list taking it to 132 species.

These 6 additions were Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Bearded Tit and Little Ringed Plover.

The highlights of my visit were as follows: Sedge Warbler (7 singing males seen and 4 other singing males heard), Reed Warbler (singing male seen and 3 other singing males heard), Willow Warbler (1 singing male heard briefly but unseen), Lesser Whitethroat (1 singing male heard singing and seen very briefly), Common Whitethroat (3 singing males seen), Chiffchaff (7 singing males heard but none seen), Blackcap (2 singing males seen and 4 other singing males heard), Cetti’s Warbler (1 singing male seen very well and at least 15 other singing males heard), Reed Bunting (2 singing males seen), Bearded Tit (1 heard calling and then seen very briefly in flight), Marsh Harrier (1 female seen soaring high over the reserve), Skylark (singing male heard but unseen), Linnet (4), Chaffinch (1), Greenfinch (1 heard calling), Tufted Duck (at least 30), Common Pochard (at least 20), Shoveler (at least 20), Mallard (at least 20), Gadwall (at least 10), Shelduck (2), Great Crested Grebe (3 including a nesting pair), Little Grebe (4), Moorhen (at least 10), Coot (at least 20), Canada Goose (at least 20), Greylag Goose (at least 20), Cormorant (1 flew over), Grey Heron (1), Little Egret (4), Little Ringed Plover (2), Common Snipe (1), Common Redshank (at least 10 including displaying and calling birds), Lapwing (at least 10 including displaying and calling birds)

Other highlights included: Common Lizard (1), Marsh Frog (at least 10), Brimstone (4), Orange Tip (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Peacock (1), Small White (4)

Here are some photos from my visit ....