Back to Rainham Marshes

As a lot of my birding time is being spent over the valley, I thought it was time for a change and went to Rainham Marshes with Martin Redfern and both took the kids, while they played in the play area, we done the circuit highlights were 5 Hobby,2 Greenshank and a very showy male Reed Bunting.

The happy couple

As millions around the world look at the happy couple on there big day. Another couple look forward to their future together but in less grand surroundings. The Ingrebourne Valley was the venue for the Little Ringed Plover, poor record shots but hopefully interesting ones.

Grasshopper Warbler

It was a early start on the patch this morning and was rewarded with good views of a Grasshopper Warbler which showed well at times. A Garden Warbler was the only new bird in, for the valley patch year list.

The Friday Night Heron

In Essex yesterday a Savi's Warbler, Hoopoe and the Night Heron were on show. Well, to some anyway. Unfortunately we did not see the Savi's or the Hoopoe but the Night Heron at Two Tree Island showed really well. Which was a Essex tick for Paul,Monkey, Jono and myself. We also had Nightingale and cuckoo there.








A big thank you goes to Jono for carrying the BIG lens that I hired for the evening. Cheers Jono!

Green Hairstreak

This morning I finally caught up with the Green Hairstreak, which have been on the wing for five days now and managed to see 5 of them. Bird wise this morning added Common Tern and Yellow Wagtail for the year list.In the week I've heard reeling GrassHopper Warbler's but been unable to get any pictures yet.

A Red Kite is the highlight

Spent the weekend birding the patch with a couple hours on both days and seeing Hobby,Cuckoo,Lesser Whitethroat,House Martin,Red Kite and bringing my patch year total to 90 I am more than happy.

A Whitethroat showing well near the viewing area.


A record shot of today's Red Kite which went straight through the valley heading North East at 1.55pm and only my second record for the Ingrebourne.

A male Adder found in the afternoon,it's not just early morning's that you get to see them.It's just knowing where to see them.

Wonderful Wheatear's

Again I went over the Ingrebourne Valley at the top paddock to see the wheatear's that are going through at the moment ,we are having some good numbers this year and I am enjoying them when I can . They are just cracking birds to watch.

The Viewing Area

The viewing area once again looks really good with the water levels just right at the moment and this evening as the last three evenings it's held LRP,Redshank,Green Sandpiper,Snipe.


Little Ringed Plover

It's not only birds in the Ingrebourne Valley, like this Common Lizard which I see regular.

Wheatear on Ingrebourne Hill

The last two evening's there has been a couple of Wheatear's on top of Ingrebourne Hill. Both picture's below are of the same bird but in different light. Also new in are swallow, sedge, Reed and grasshopper Warbler's this evening.

In the Valley this week (Craig David Style)

Had a Green Sandpiper on Tuesday,Had a LRP on Thursday and two Redshank on Saturday.Ok enough of that.This mornings walk at the Ingrebourne still did not produce a Wheatear or Ring Ouzel but plenty around to keep me happy. The photo's below were taken this morning.