After the rush of incoming spring migrants in April it predictably quietened down in May but I did manage to see a couple of hoped for good birds in London.
Rainham Marshes
I managed 12 visits in May, starting on the 1st when I left The Chase hurriedly on news of a Blue-winged Teal at Rainham. It was best viewed from the riverwall and showed well when it was feeding then it tucked itself up for a nap.
Female Blue-winged Teal, Rainham Marshes
It was the third Blue-winged Teal I've seen in London (the others were at Brent Res & Fairlop CP) but it was the first record of this American duck here so proved popular for the Rainham patchlisters during its short stay. A Ruddy Shelduck of unknown origin flew in while I was there.
A Little Egret in full breeding finery put in regular appearances right in front of Ken Barrett hide during the month and was very popular with the togs.
Little Egret
Another long-staying white bird was a Spoonbill, often seen on Purfleet Scrape; although I think there were actually two different birds.
Spoonbill eyeing up a Tufted Duck
It was also a good month for waders, particularly so in the second part of the month with several flocks of Ringed Plover and Sanderling occurring. My best day of the month was on 24th when I found a Bittern flying in from the east, an unexpected bird for this time of year as most Rainham records are in winter. Even better was to come whilst we were stood on the riverwall as Sam found a Roseate Tern on the Thames which we managed to see a couple of times. Surprisingly it was also seen the following day allowing a few latecomers to catch up with this fairly rare bird in London. We also managed to see two Curlew Sandpipers in with a flock of Sanderling.
Common Sandpiper
Knot
Whimbrel
Red Kites were seen regularly over the reserve and Hobby numbers increased during the month but no one was able to nail a Red-foot despite the national influx of this scarce falcon.
Corn Bunting on the Tip
As the spring migration petered out it was time to start looking for insects with more butterflies and dragonflies on the wing but this month happened to be good for moths as well. Wall butterfly seems to be having a good year at Rainham with frequent sightings along the riverwall.
Azure Damselfly
Cinnabar
Cream-spot Tiger
Dewick's Plusia
Small Copper
Small Tortoiseshell
Small White
Dagenham Chase
I visited here 12 times this month, one of which was an afternoon trip to see a fine drake Garganey having spent the morning at Rainham where I had seen another Garganey.
Garganey on The Slack at Dagenham Chase
Beam Valley
I made weekly visits to both Beam Parklands and Beam Valley CP. With most of the summer migrants now seen with the obvious omission of Hobby here, I was mainly recording breeding birds but did still manage one new bird for Beam Parklands when a Shelduck flew over. I also called in to Breton's Park to check on the heronry.
Warren Gorge
I visited this nature reserve at Chafford Hundred for the first time. I took the 372 bus to Lakeside Shopping Centre then walked through the car park and railway station to the Gorge.
Greylag Goose family
Other sites
I also made single visits to King George V Res, Beckton Creekside, Barking Riverside, Parsloes Park and Hutchinson's Bank. The latter was at the end of May and was a bit disappointing for butterflies apart from Small Blue which were everywhere.
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