Back at Rainham

So, this morning I went to Rainham Marshes and to be honest it did fill a little bit quite with just 2 Grey Plover on the foreshore , 2 wheatear, 4 Corn Bunting and of course the Black Redstart at Ferry lane. They are giving a lot people a  chance to get great views of this scarce bird and this morning it was nice to bring down the ISO to 500 for the first time this year.

Female Black Redstart

Wheatear

It's always nice to start seeing the first migrants coming through and especially Northern Wheatear like this 1st Winter male at Rainham and hopefully something a bit more rare will turn up soon as well in the country as it did start to fill a bit static everywhere.

Black Redstart

After my last winter bird survey in Essex was done I popped along to Ferry lane Rainham again to see what was about on the river with Paul as we both had seen Little Gulls and Common Scoter on my stretch of the river and hoped that some other birds may have been drived in by the strong easterly winds. 1 adult and 2 1st winter Kittiwake Gulls was our reward for braving the cold and of course great views of the Black Redstarts. 2 Wheatear were also about and a Stonchat on the foreshore. This is why I've been enjoying this site as it's so varied in bird species.

Ferry lane

This weekend spent both afternoon's at Ferry lane, which is just east of the stone barges at Rainham Marshes RSPB. Today , Sunday being better of the two due to the fact it wasn't snowing! but still bloody cold. 3 Black Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 2 Common Scoter, Med Gull, Common Sandpiper and a cracking Water Pipit can't be bad for under a mile stretch of  the river Thames.

 

Female Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart

Wheatear

Common Scoter

Also thanks to Martin Blow for the good company!

Barnie

Good views again from the Barn Owl at Rainham Marshes this evening, which still only wants to come out when its nearly dark , and even then the crows have a go at it. A Short-eared Owl was also seen but all too brief  probably due to the bloody crows again!. The Barn Owl just dives in the grass when the crows are about ,where as the shorties just sprillal up in to the air and the crows give up. Still smart to see though!

Help yourself to the salad cart

Dave Mc and Russ kindly phoned me to say that there was 41 Waxwing at the Harvester in Hornchurch and although I've seen many this year I couldn't resist due to it being mid March  that I might not get to see many more this year?. As it was raining I didn't get many shots and the fact they buggered off after about 5 minutes of me arriving, here are just a couple for the record . This flock was probably the same flock that I had on the patch last week?. Also this weekend I had the Little Owl on the patch  and the Ross's Goose was still with the Greylag flock.

 

 

Frustrating

With only one hour to go birding this evening, I headed over to Rainham Marshes and was once again treated to great views of a Short- eared Owl. I find them so interesting to watch while they go hunting for voles. And this individual was very successful at it. However, I did come away feeling a little bit frustrated with the pictures of this evening as I still haven't quite got the shots I want. So here are some anyway!. Also seen was a Barn Owl and a Chiffchaff.

Back at Rainham

After work today, I couldn't wait to get out grab some fresh air. So, as there were 3 Black necked Grebes on Avely pools I headed straight to Rainham Marshes RSPB and as I made my way I picked up 36 Waxwing at the entrance of Albyns farm ,which  was a very welcome patch year tick for the Ingrebourne valley. A quick walk to the pools at Rainham and the Grebes were showing well but a little to far for any good pictures and then on to the silt lagoon at the West end of the reserve for the second week running to see what was about. 2 SE Owl, Barn Owl, female Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk all gave good views. I won't miss this winters grey and dull weather but will miss watching the raptors on late evenings. I just love it!

 

Popular

Went along again to Ferry Lane to see the Black Redstart, but this time I took my young nephew George with me to see his frst one. Again had good views but unable to get any real good pictures of it. So we made our way to the stone barges and had a very nice Water Pipit there. Then onto the reserve for a female Marsh Harrier and below this Kestrel.

At Ferry Lane where the Black Redstart is becoming very popular

Out in the dark

Photography and the light  was poor last night at Rainham Marshes/Ferry Lane, but the quality of the birds seen was superb. With 2 Black Redstart, 2 Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper and Water Pipit all in a 100 meters of each other along Ferry Lane, was good enough for a quick after work birding session. As Tony Brown was there  and Dom had to leave for the London birders drink, myself and Tony went and had a look over the Silts Lagoon at Rainham Marshes. It might of been getting dark and you could thought you were in Norfolk looking a Raptor roost as we had the male Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 SE Owl, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and site tick  Woodcock!, but  this in the London recording area. I  Managed to get some record shots but as I said it was getting dark and the pics are poor, but who cares when you get all those birds after work!