Rainham Marshes
From Londonbirders
Rainham Marshes covers a vast area alongside the River Thames in East London. It is divided into several distinct areas: the RSPB Reserve, the Ferry Lane end, and the Tip (an active refuse dump for which there is no public access).
Directions:
RSPB Reserve:
By car: From the A13, take the A1306 turn-off (Signposted Wennington, Aveley and Purfleet.) At the slip road roundabout turn right, following signs for Purfleet on the A1306 heading east. Continue along the A1306 for ½ mile. At the traffic lights, take a right hand turn, signposted A1090 to Purfleet onto New Tank Hill Road flyover. The entrance to the reserve approximately 300 metres along this road, just after the bottom of the flyover on the right hand side. Car park fee for non-members.
By train: Nearest railway station is Purfleet (trains from Fenchurch Street or Barking. On leaving Purfleet Station, turn right, follow the road until the pub, 'The Royal', on the left hand side. At The Royal, head down to the Thames and join the Riverside Path. Follow the path, which eventually crosses the Mardyke River at a small bridge. After the bridge, turn left and follow the pavement around to the RSPB Centre.
Ferry Lane End:
By car: From the A13, take the Ferry Lane exit (near Rainham town) and follow the road towards the river. Take the first turning on the left, Coldharbour Lane, which runs alongside the old marshes. After 500 metres, on the right hand side just before the raised silt lagoons, is a turning to the coastal car park. This area is also known as the Stone Barges.
By train: Nearest railway station is Rainham, Essex (trains from Fenchurch Street or Barking. On leaving Rainham Station, turn right, cross over the level crossing and follow the road round with the marshes on your left.
Access: The RSPB Reserve is open daily from 09.30 – 16.30. There are trails and a boardwalk. There is a public footpath along the river wall which overlooks the RSPB Reserve. The Ferry Lane end is open access but check signs for car park opening hours. A public footpath runs along the river wall. The refuse tip is strictly off-limits.
Birds
Rainham Marshes is the premier birding site in London and over 150 species occur annually. Its proximity to the Thames means that it is in a prime position to attract migrants, including rarities. However, it is because it is one of the last remaining areas of marshes in London that provides a habitat for birds which are difficult to see elsewhere that makes it a special place.
All Year: Stonechat (along Ferry Lane and on the reserve), waders.
Winter: Rock and Water Pipits (they favour the Stone Barges); waders, especially flocks of Black-tailed Godwits (they roost on the reserve at high tide); Hen Harrier and Merlin (scarce, best scanned for from the river wall). Short-eared Owl (best from Ferry Lane).
Summer: Reed and Sedge Warblers (all over).
Spring/Autumn: waders (best along the Thames and on the reserve).
Rarities: Up to four Penduline Tits have been seen in the last three winters (on the reserve); Sociable Lapwing and Collared Pratincole (on the reserve in 2005). There have also been records of Rough-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, two Red-footed Falcons, Common Crane, Western Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Red-throated Pipit, Bluethroat and Aquatic Warbler.
As of 2 December 2006 Dominic Mitchell's personal year list for Rainham Marshes was 139 species, as follows:
Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Cormorant; Little Egret; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Greylag Goose; Canada Goose; Brent Goose; Shelduck; Eurasian Wigeon; Gadwall; Common Teal; Mallard; Northern Pintail; Garganey; Northern Shoveler; Common Pochard; Ferruginous Duck; Tufted Duck; Common Scoter; Ruddy Duck; Honey Buzzard; Red Kite; Marsh Harrier; Sparrowhawk; Eurasian Kestrel; Merlin; Hobby; Peregrine Falcon; Red-legged Partridge; Grey Partridge; Common Pheasant; Water Rail; Moorhen; Coot; Oystercatcher; Avocet; Little Ringed Plover; Ringed Plover; Grey Plover; Northern Lapwing; Knot; Sanderling; Dunlin; Ruff; Jack Snipe; Common Snipe; Black-tailed Godwit; Bar-tailed Godwit; Whimbrel; Eurasian Curlew; Spotted Redshank; Common Redshank; Greenshank; Green Sandpiper; Wood Sandpiper; Common Sandpiper; Turnstone; Mediterranean Gull; Black-headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull; Yellow-legged Gull; Caspian Gull; Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gull; Sandwich Tern; Common Tern; Arctic Tern; Black Tern; Feral Rock Dove; Stock Dove; Woodpigeon; Collared Dove; Ring-necked Parakeet; Eurasian Cuckoo; Barn Owl; Short-eared Owl; Common Swift; Common Kingfisher; Green Woodpecker; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Skylark; Sand Martin; Barn Swallow; House Martin; Meadow Pipit; Rock Pipit; Water Pipit; Yellow Wagtail; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Wren; Dunnock; Robin; Black Redstart; Whinchat; European Stonechat; Northern Wheatear; Ring Ouzel; Blackbird; Fieldfare; Song Thrush; Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Cetti's Warbler; Grasshopper Warbler; Sedge Warbler; Reed Warbler; Lesser Whitethroat; Common Whitethroat; Blackcap; Common Chiffchaff; Willow Warbler; Goldcrest; Spotted Flycatcher; Long-tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Penduline Tit; Jay; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Carrion Crow; Common Starling; House Sparrow; Tree Sparrow; Chaffinch; Brambling; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Siskin; Linnet; Lesser Redpoll; Bullfinch; Reed Bunting; Corn Bunting;
