London's Rainham Marshes (Day Trip)

Summary

Rainham Marshes, on the Thames Estuary in Essex, is one of the most impressive wetland reserves in the London area. Protecting an expansive 411 hectares of ancient grazing marsh, wet grassland, scrub and reedbeds, the reserve supports significant numbers of wetland breeding birds, as well as an important population of the endangered Water Vole. Once a military firing range, Rainham is now an excellent place to observe resident species such as Lapwing, Redshank, Bearded Tit, Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler and Marsh Harrier. Several pairs of Peregrine breed locally, and woodland areas support a range of common birds such as Great Spotted Woodpecker. In the spring and autumn a wide variety of migrant waders and passerines pass through on their way north and south including Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and the occasional Garganey and Spoonbill. The winter months see an arrival of wildfowl, waders, thrushes and finches and even a Short-eared Owl or two some years, whilst Common Seals are often seen hauled out on the mudflats of the Thames. We will walk around 6 miles in total over the course of the day, all at a leisurely pace with frequent stops and will meet at 9.30am, finishing around 5pm.

The tour cost does not include the reserve entrance fee of £6 for non-RSPB members.

• Explore one of London’s finest nature reserves
• An interesting mix of habitats including wet meadows, reedbeds, saltmarsh, woodland & freshwater lagoons
• Raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Peregrine & Hobby possible
• Look for Bearded Tit, Cetti’s Warbler & Reed Bunting
• Diverse wildfowl, and the chance of passage migrants in spring
• Rainham is a stronghold for Water Vole
• Led by an expert Naturetrek naturalist