Rainham Marshes / Roding Valley - Red-necked Grebe
A lot of variety today at Rainham Marshes under warm blue sky. The south-easterly winds made for a really pleasant day. An 11.5km walk started from the car park by the Stone Barges, winding through the reserve, over the old landfill and back along the river.
Four Ringed Plover, five Black-tailed Godwit, and a Curlew had settled on the mud near Aveley Bay. Six Wigeon flew from the river onto the reserve.
The warm breeze held raptors, a sub-adult Marsh Harrier flew hurriedly through the reserve, with at least six Common Buzzard airbourne towards Wennington. A Sparrowhawk flew high up over Woodland, and a Hobby darted past Aveley Pools.
On the Target Pools, the Little Stint was still present as were two Ruff and a Common Snipe.
Two Stonechat, and a Whinchat were perched up along the fenceline close to the turning gate on the south side. A further two Stonechat were seen on Wennington.
The Barn Owl was at home and roosting peacefully.
Other bits and pieces - a Grey Seal was seen briefly on the river. Butterflies were on the wing, with Red Admiral, Peacock, and a late Meadow Brown making the most of the warm conditions. A Common Lizard scurried into the undergrowth by the Coldharbour Lane car park, and there were plenty of Migrant Hawker zipping around the reserve.
Onto the Roding Valley Meadow Reserve, where the juvenile Red-necked Grebe continued to show well close to shore on the south side.
Four Ringed Plover, five Black-tailed Godwit, and a Curlew had settled on the mud near Aveley Bay. Six Wigeon flew from the river onto the reserve.
The warm breeze held raptors, a sub-adult Marsh Harrier flew hurriedly through the reserve, with at least six Common Buzzard airbourne towards Wennington. A Sparrowhawk flew high up over Woodland, and a Hobby darted past Aveley Pools.
On the Target Pools, the Little Stint was still present as were two Ruff and a Common Snipe.
Two Stonechat, and a Whinchat were perched up along the fenceline close to the turning gate on the south side. A further two Stonechat were seen on Wennington.
The Barn Owl was at home and roosting peacefully.
Other bits and pieces - a Grey Seal was seen briefly on the river. Butterflies were on the wing, with Red Admiral, Peacock, and a late Meadow Brown making the most of the warm conditions. A Common Lizard scurried into the undergrowth by the Coldharbour Lane car park, and there were plenty of Migrant Hawker zipping around the reserve.
Onto the Roding Valley Meadow Reserve, where the juvenile Red-necked Grebe continued to show well close to shore on the south side.
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