This morning I
visited RSPB Vange Marsh which is only 4 miles from my home
and easily reached by local buses although on this occasion I visited whilst I
still had the use of a rental car.
RSPB Vange Marsh is a mosaic of wetland habitats with fresh and saltwater lagoons attracting many breeding birds in spring and summer, passage migrant waders especially in late summer and autumn and large numbers of ducks in winter. There are no specific facilities in the way of a visitor centre or hides but nature trails and public footpaths allow viewing over the wetland areas.
The principal issue at RSPB Vange Marsh is that the views are towards the south so bright sunny days are problematic. In addition, birds are always very distant requiring a telescope (which on warm and sunny days creates even worse problems with heat haze) and photography opportunities are extremely limited. On this visit, there was an additional problem with a strong wind.
During my visit, I saw a Spotted Redshank (a black summer-plumaged bird), my first record for 2025 taking my 2025 UK year list taking to 175 species.
The notable sightings from my visit with regard to birds were as follows: Spotted Redshank (1), Black-tailed Godwit (at least 150), Avocet (at least 20), Lapwing (at least 10), Oystercatcher (1), Mute Swan (11), Canada Goose (at least 50), Greylag Goose (at least 10), Little Grebe (1), Coot (at least 50), Moorhen (2), Wigeon (1 male), Mallard (a large moulting flock of at least 100), Common Pochard (at least 5 amongst the Mallards but probably more), Shoveler (at least 1 amongst the Mallards but probably more), Little Egret (3), Swift (1), Lesser Whitethroat (1 unseen singing male), Chiffchaff (2 unseen singing males)
In addition, I recorded the following butterflies: Marbled White (at least 5), "golden skippers" (at least 20 Large and/or Small and/or Essex Skippers)
Love nature .... act now
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