Rainham RSPB

July 31st


A quick I hour visit early a.m along the riverfront of Aveley Bay, I didn't have time for the Reserve so just worked the River Wall.

I had in mind an early Wheatear or Whinchat along the path bushes and scrub; it shouldn't be too long before migrants starts to arrive.
Checking the mud in Aveley Bay showed 2 broods of Shelduck but very little else other than 2 Common Sandpipers along the water’s edge.

However looking further along produced a Common Seal hauled out, usually on the Kent side it was a nice sight to see one in the Bay.
It seems to be a relatively regular occurrence to see them at Rainham, I expect testament to a cleaner river?

Moving on and around to the rocks gave up a Whimbrel and bird of the morning, a Turnstone, having recently seen one it was a welcome addition to the year list, now standing at 121.

The now almost regular Marsh Harrier put in an appearance hunting over the field distantly and I then had 3 Yellow Wagtails at the edge of the Saltings, possibly even bred on the Reserve as they were seen a little while back also.

Distant Marsh Harrier over the Reserve, the bird is a success story, can the fortunes of Hen Harrier be turned round as well?

More hints of migration materialized in the shape of 25 Swallow and 15 Sand Martins all heading west, 2 separate flocks but promising movement.

With August with us on Saturday and a not too bad (hopefully) forecast for Sea Watching, I will be heading down to Dungeness, an early Pom wouldn't go amiss.

Seen recently on another section of the river, a juvenile peregrine in pursuit of a Turnstone - it failed.