Lackford Lakes

On the weekend we went with the RSPB Havering Local Group to Lackford Lakes in Suffolk. After an early start and a short 2 hour conch journey we had arrived. But to our dismay we were greeted by fog, thick fog. Thankfully this soon cleared and as we looked out over the lakes we could see up to 11 golden eye present on some along with other winter wild foul.

There were 4 tundra bean geese and a large collection of gulls settling down roost. We really enjoyed the day and would go back if the opportunity came again.

Young birders.

Matthew Foakes(M.F) Jamie Croft (J.C)

Robin (M.F)

Greylag geese (M.F)

Blackbird (M.F)

Mute Swan (M.F)

Frozen Rainham

Today I braved the cold weather and went down to Rainham Marshes. The frost looked wonderful covering basically anything it could. With the brilliant still winds it meant that you could see anything in the reeds which come in handy finding a few reed bunting and 2 beaded tits! Really good views I got at a close range. It was a fantastic day out.

Matthew Foakes (M.F)

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We made it

Happy new year everyone. At the begging of the year we said that together we would try to reach 150 birds by the end of the year. And I am pleased to  say that we managed to gain 152 birds between us which may not seem a lot however we did not do any twitching just visiting various places around britain. 

Good luck in the new year and we will continue posting through out the year.

Young Birders,

(M.F) (J.C)

Boxing Day Birding

Hello readers I hope you all had a great Christmas and ready to burn of all those mince pies with a bit of birding. It is a family tradition to go to Southend on boxing day so for me it was taking some shots of the turnstones and sanderlings on the beach. Normally we take a stroll along the pier but due to engineering works to is out of use. I only took a few snaps but I hope you enjoy looking at them.

Matthew Foakes (M.F)

Turnstone (M.F)

Sanderling (M.F)

Too many late nights(M.F)

Leigh on sea

Hello readers


Sorry for the lack of information recently but other events got in the way but we are back in full spirit. Today I went to leigh on sea near southend really just to see the turnstones. These are fantastic small birds that run so fast with there tiny little legs. I took full benefit of the weather trying to use the blue sky as a back drop were possible. I had a close in counter with a sanderling too which in some case came too close to focus.


I really enjoyed and would recommend on a nice afternoon/morning taking a trip that way. But make sure you take the thermals as it can be could in some parts.


Matthew Foakes (M.F)

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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

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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)