Serin at Rainham Marsh

[Tony Kennelly]

A female/juvenile serin has been at rainham marsh over the last week. It's located outside the actual reserve site and there are 2 ways of getting to the "serin mound" after a small flock visited there last year too. The serin hangs out with goldfinches currently feeding on the thistles etc.

Firstly park at the reserve visitor centre carpark and walk west along the sea wall path and then a little further, past a small carpark next to the tip, to a well worn area of scrubby bank that overlooks a ditch & boggy area, where the spotted crake was seen last month. Jack snipe have been seen in this bog too. This walk will provide opportunities to see rock & water pipits, waders along the river thames muddy shore.

Secondly turn off the A13 at the ferry lane junction (the next one west from the rainham/wennington junction). Head south to the next roundabout, where you take the first left, along cold harbour lane towards the tip, passed the security hut and tip entrance until you reach the above mentioned small carpark to park. Do Not Park Along The Road Here! From the carpark take the short walk to the mound.

Other birds seen this weekend included a male marsh harrier, buzzard, peregrine, 100 golden plover, cetti's warblers wintering ducks & gulls, including a textbook adult yellow-legged gull (a perfect specimen until it realised I was scoping it & flew off!).

Overall bird numbers are low due to the lack of rainwater until recently but are slowly building up. Hopefully there will more for the AOS visit next month.

Tony

[Tony Kennelly]

Hi All,

most of the above have been seen again this weekend so, with any luck, most should hang around for another 6 days. Wildfowl & wader numbers are building up too. Any problems call 07722 715289. For details see the expeditions message page.

Good birding

Tony