Rainham Marshes today - 09.11.09

8 comments

Went across to the wonderful RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve today. No matter what time of year, there is always something interesting to see on this large area that was reclaimed from the Ministry of Defence.

Two swans, looking like slighty burnt meringues were grooming themselves whilst in the water, turning round and round as they preened and sometimes actually rolling over in the water!

Grey herons mixed with other water birds in the slightly reduced lakes; they are digging out some of them to clear and to build another hide.

Lack of water has meant that some of the marshlands are quite dry and I’m not sure where the wildlife that usually lives there would have gone.

A grey start to the day turned sunny but it was still very crisp; a perfect autumn day.

Here are some photos from previous visits.

Lostplot

9 Nov, 2009
11 likes

Comments

Dorjac

Hello and welcome Lostplot. Lovely photos. We went to this sanctuary too, earlier this year. It is very well done, and still in the making. I enjoyed a walk round but GJ was not well enough to walk round with me,so I had to have a quick walk by myself, but I enjoyed it. We went to Westonbirt Arboretum this weekend, on my birthday, and booked an electric scooter beforehand. GJ really enjoyed it as it was the first time he had used one. We missed the main burst of autumn colour, but there was enough left to enjoy the trip round.

9 Nov, 2009

Lostplot

Thanks Dorjac.

Went to Westonbirt some years ago and really loved it - also with someone who needed a mobility scooter, funnily enough.

How lovely that you went. I would really love to go again but must somehow remember before it's a bit too late in the year each time!

By the time that you go back to Rainham, they may have the new hide! I'll update on here.

Quite a shame that they do not offer some sort of mobility aid but at least they have now decked or paved it all of the way round, which makes it easier.

Hope that you had a good birthday.

9 Nov, 2009

Louise1

Lovely photos :-))

9 Nov, 2009

Lily2

What beautiful pictures Lostplot. I didn't realise there was now a nature reserve on Rainham Marshes. I grew up in Rainham many years ago when the marshes were just a desolate area, I'm so glad they have put the area to such good use now. Is the access down Ferry Lane? I think it may be time for me to take a trip down memory lane again to see this!

9 Nov, 2009

Alzheimer

What cracking pics, LP.....and I love the description of the swans...LOL
It is always good for the soul to go to a place like that....very refreshing.

9 Nov, 2009