Rainham Marshes

A super hot day with plenty of wildlife on offer at Rainham Marshes. Birding highlights were four Avocet, three Black-Tailed Godwit, a single Whimbrel, two Green Sandpiper, and a Greenshank. A family of Bearded Tit were active around the Dragonfly Ponds with a couple of individuals seen darting in and out of the reeds.

Butterflies were plentiful with a Painted Lady that came to rest along the path towards the Woodland Discovery Zone, and a couple of Holly Blue preferring the shady areas of scrub. Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, and Peacock, were active around the wildlife garden.

Dragonflies whizzed around the pools, Ruddy Darters illuminated the small ponds, Brown Hawkers zipped around the trees towards Woodland, and the Emporer Dragonflies ruled the reedbed.

A Grass Snake slincked through the pond by the Purfleet Hide.