Nightjar @ the Lodge

A Nightjar this close does not happen very often. A male was found snoozing on a log within feet of the path on the restored heathland.





Earlier a Wood Sandpiper was discovered on the scrape at Dunstable STW

Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve

A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was just outside the reserve viewed from a public footpath along the bank of the Thames.







The current visitors centre will eventually become an educational building. An interesting strucure indeed - my first thought was 'yuk' ! (and remains so).



A Wood Sandpiper was just a bit too distant.



A distant Northern Wheatear.



A few Little Egret were dotted around the reserve.



This Ruff showed well from the hide.





My best view of a Water Vole. This is a top site for these declining creatures.







Roesel's Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii. A scarce cricket, mainly found near coasts but increasing inland.



A Migrant Hawker.

A distant shot of the QEII bridge which carries the M25 motorway over the River Thames.



A nice spot, overall, difficult to believe it's not far from busy London.