RSPB News October 2018
Please find below the RSPB’s latest bi-monthly update about what’s happening on the RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve
By Andrew Gouldstone, October 2018
Good birds just keep coming.
We’ve had both spoonbill and great-white egret again recently spending time on the marshes, and a few osprey’s have been seen as they head south to spend the winter in west Africa.
And since last Tuesday, we have had a juvenile pectoral sandpiper on the pools near the Butts hide. This north American wader is a regular visitor to the UK in most years, but only in very small numbers. It gets it’s name from the very clearly defined dark chest markings
[The juvenile pectoral sandpiper that has been present for over a week. Photo- Andy Tweed.]
General reserve work.
Topping and mowing has continued across parts of Aveley and Wennington, getting the marshes ready for next year’s breeding season. We have also undertaken areas of cutting in the reedbeds, to help open up views for visitors and create a mosaic of habitats within the reedbeds. Several corporate team challenges have helped with this work, removing the cut reed to prevent it silting up the reedbeds.
Sections of boardwalk and fencing have been repaired and maintained and pathsides have been cut back.
National Grid pylon painting.
For several weeks now, both back in the early summer, and this autumn, we have been working with National Grid and their paint contractors, to enable access for painting and engineering work to take place on the line of pylons that run along the reserves northern boundary.
Two new activities available.
We are re-launching our woodland photography hide, after it was closed during the summer months. The area has been cleared of summer vegetation growth, and the reflection pool has been re-filled. The hide provides excellent opportunities to get close up photos of birds feeding and bathing. The results that some people have been getting have been superb.
The hide is available for hire, and seats two people. One-to-one tuition sessions are also available.
[Robin taken from the photography hide. Photo – Barry Jackson.] [WPH Robin by Barry Jackson - small]
And we have now launched a ‘hire-a-guide’ opportunity – tailor made specialist guided walks for small groups of 1-4 people. More information here… https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/rainhammarshes/b/rainhammarshes-blog/archive/2018/09/23/hire-a-guide-is-here.aspx
Upcoming events.
All our upcoming events, including Halloween fun for families, can be found here.. https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/rainham-marshes/
Andrew Gouldstone
Senior Site Manager
RSPB Rainham Marshes nature reserve New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ
Tel 01708 899845
Mobile 07841 804860
rspb.org.uk/rainham