Spring has sprung

They say that Spring has truly sprung when you see the Brimstone (Gonepteryx Rhamni) fly in the woods. So Sunday two weeks ago and Yesterday I went out on a mission to take a picture of this yellow butterfly. Unfortunately they always fly about 800 yards in front of you and will never stay long to pose for the camera. Therefore I have to show you what else I saw over the last fortnight.

With the help of Marianne, a nature friend, I was able to determine that this is a Dunnock (Prunella Modularis). I should try to learn to recognize the different songs of birds, because this one was singing beautiful between the ablution activities.

By the way, I had already seen one in our garden, which I mistakenly took for a House Sparrow until I looked closer at the picture.

 

It is always a pleasure to see a Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos Caudatus). There beautiful yellow circles around the eyes and their long tail are just great to see. Fortunately they stay quite calm when you try to take a picture.

But still the true “Spring Experience” starts when you see butterflies. Normally you will first see the “Big Three” of the  Nymphalidae (Comma, Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell) who stay in shelters during the winter. It is therefore quite exciting when you see a butterfly that shouldn’t be there, like this Red Underwing (Catocala Nupta). It is particularly strange to see one during the day and in March. But there you have it. I did see one…and this is the result.

To finish this blog, I will share a picture of a Blue Tit (Cyanistes Caeruleus) that I took yesterday. It is trying to break the record for hanging upside down.

Spring is in the air and it promises to be a wonderful period!

Rainham Marshes

It is always exciting to visit a new sight for nature watching. Today I visited Rainham Marshes, an RSPB sight that was constructed on an old military firing range. The area was closed for the public for about 100 years ago, during which the military used it for shooting practice. The RSPB acquired the area in 2000 and transformed it into a very accessible and beautiful nature reserve.

The area has a footpath with various hides around the marshes. Many ducks and gees gather around as well as everything else you would expect in this marsh land.

The weather was great today and I had my first flying Wigeon pair (Anas Penelope) on camera. That was just as well, because there were many more grazing on the many islands that were created by the RSPB. I cannot recall having seen so many together; not even in London Wetland Centre.

And since it was actually the first proper day of Spring (albeit that we officially have to wait another two weeks), I was not surprised to see the some butterflies. And all the usual suspects were there: apart from a Peacock (Inachis Io) and a Brimstone (Gonepteryx Rhamni) the first Comma (Polygonia C-Album) this year landed in front of me.

This Common Teal (Anas Crecca) needed some well deserved ablution

I will finish this blog with two pictures of a Little Grebe (Tachybaptus Ruficollis) that found a nice fish. Rainham Marshes is a fantastic sight with lot’s of possibilities for birders, school classes and many other nature lovers. I saw a few visitors in wheelchairs as well. Only 15 minutes walk from Purfleet station, it is worthwhile planning a visit.