Titchwell Marsh

Yesterday we went on a days coach outing with the RSPB Havering group to Titchwell marsh in Norfolk. After a long journey we arrived at the reserve. The place was under going some management at the time so one of the paths was close. Walking from the Centre to the two new hides we saw 1 hunting Marsh Harrier, 2 kestrels and a hobby. Along with a few stonechat and whinchat. In the hide we found rock and meadow pipits bathing in front of us along with a few goldfinches and pied wagtails.

But for us the best was the beach. Sea watchers found us great skua, gannets, a guillemot and a red throated diver. Along with these there were many waders including oystercatcher, knot, grey plover, ringed plover, sanderling, turnstone and oystercatcher. We really enjoyed the day would rank it in one of the best we have ever visited.

Young Birders

M.F

M.F

M.F

M.F

M.F

M.F

Rainham Marshes 14/9/2011

On Wednesday we took a visit to Rainham Marshes. We thought that we would do the wednesday walk we which helped us see; hobby, a sparrowhawk and kestrel and a sparrowhawk having a mid air fight and a Whinchat. After the walk had ended we went round again seeing this time 5 whichats and many more lizards and common/ruddy daters. We really enjoyed the day and hope to be back again some time soon.

Young birder

Common dater (M.F)

Male Whinchat (M.F)

Male Whinchat (M.F)

Female Whinchat (M.F)

Lee Valley

Yesterday I thought that I should make the best of the whether so we headed down to the Lee valley white water centre. I did not go on the course as I am not old enough however I enjoyed watching them race around. As I was watching one group one particular bird caught my attention. As I looked closer at it, it turned out to be a Egyptian Goose there were two of them.  As I walked close the birds did not even budge a bit, they just carried on feeding on the grass. 


I took a few photos and then it was time to go as later on in the day we were going to a bat and moth night at Rainham Marshes. We managed to see a few bats and hear plenty of them. I really enjoyed the day and would do the bat night again.


Matthew Foakes

Urban Birding

Today I went to Regents park as they have a big heronry there as well as some other birding surprises. One of them including the huge numbers of ring necked parakeets around the park flying in and out the trees. There were plenty of pigeons with them swarming around a regular feeding. I really enjoyed being so close to the herons as I normally get only distant views.


Matthew Foakes