Spent the morning at Rainham, had a pleasant walk around anti-clockwise. Then as I set foot on the viewing platform overlooking the target pools, Andrew Gouldstone the Site Manager was obviously looking at something intently and asked if I could photograph it. Well it was a small gull and was flying away from us already at quite a height. I managed two shots before losing it to view. Andrew was sure it was either Laughing Gull or a Franklins Gull, his gut instinct was for a 1st summer Franklins Gull. The two heavily cropped record shots (see below) were circulated and the general consensus was inline with Andrew's instinct. But there are a few who still wouldn't rule out Laughing Gull. It is as I write this being looked for and has been seen twice very briefly since on the river and the landfill, but no absolute confirmation of id yet!
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| Laughing or Franklins? |
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| Laughing or Franklins? |
There are now lots of Reed Warblers singing around the reserve and I almost got clear views of one to photograph but frustratingly, not quite!
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| Reed Warbler |
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| Reed Warbler |
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| Reed Warbler |
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| Reed Warbler |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Canada Goose with goslings |
