Rainham & Barking

Started out at the crack of this morning and Rainham was my first port of call.  Arriving at first light at the west end it was nice and warm, no wind and perfect conditions for my first bird - a Barn Owl that was hunting the silts.

Warblers were In song all over with many Reed, Sedge, Cetti's amongst the usuals.

My first Cuckoo of the year showed well in flight, two Greenshank were the only other birds of note.

Home for some breakfast and back out on the patch produced my third Common Buzzard and my second Marsh Harrier of the spring, a single Wheatear and Willow Warbler were still kicking around.

female type marsh h thru

Wheatear

meadow pipit

the joys of urban birding ....