Reed Warblers !

I decided on a break from my domestic activities and go for a quick walk around Rainham RSPB, there was some warm sunshine and the winds had dropped, so it was with high hopes that I set off around the trails.
The reed beds were alive with Reed Warblers, chasing each other along the reed fringed dykes, gathering nesting material, constantly diving back into the cover of the reeds, strangely, I did not see one Sedge Warbler. Cetti's Warblers were very vocal, and as usual very camera shy. I did manage to get some nice images of the Reed Warblers though.

Reed warbler

Reed warbler

Others birds noted around the reserve were Little Egrets, Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Mute Swan, Greylag geese, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall,and Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Redshank, Lapwing, Coot, Moorhen.

Reed Bunting

At the Marshland discovery area, the Kingfisher put on a nice but brief view, landing on the wire fence opposite its breeding tunnel, where it posed briefly with a fish in its mouth. It then darted across the pool and flew directly into the mouth of the tunnel, a few seconds later it reversed out of the tunnel,a quick dip into the water and it was off, probably on another fishing mission. the birds are  now feeding there offspring.

Butterflies seen were mainly Green Veined Whites, Small Whites, Peacock, Orange Tip.

Small White

A few teneral Damselflies were seen, but were hard to identify,and at least three or four Hairy Dragonflies also seen ,but none would settle for a photograph, a brief flyby of a female Broad bodied chaser was seen near the viewing screen before the woodland trail. I was hoping to see some Large Red Damselflies, but I could not find any.

Marsh frog

Marsh frogs very vocal all around the reserve.