Rainham Marshes 12th February 2012

We tried to visit Rainham Marshes last Sunday, but unfortunately it was closed due to the snow, so we had another go this morning. Everything was still frozen, but we had a walk right round the reserve. We stopped near the rifle butts and saw a large flock of fieldfare which were feeding on a bush in the middle of the reeds.

A bit further on, a chap pointed out two harvest mice, and we stopped and watched them feeding on reed mace which they were able to access via the frozen pond.

A water rail ran across the ice while we were watching the mice. Further on, we came across a pair of bearded tits, which were very close in the reeds.

We had a walk along the sea wall and there were numerous wigeon, teal, shelduck, redshank and dunlin feeding on the mud along Aveley Bay. We also saw meadow and rock pipit, an avocet and a couple of snipe.

Looking forward to the trip there on 26th February!

Ian & Sue Griffin