The 12th November 2018: The Day The Sky Never Stood Still

Today was a classic November day at RSPB Rainham Marshes with huge fast moving squalls across skies that flashed between cobalt blue, septic yellow, lilac-grey and bruised black. 

Rainbows came and went with the alacrity of those encountered in Shetland with no chance whatsoever of acquiring any mythical fortune at either end while Sun Dogs were encouraged to come out and play when Sol made a brief appearance.

The reserve looks rejuvenated after three days with periods of persistent precipitation and duck and wader numbers are certainly already up on last week with swirling flocks of Teal and Wigeon and at least 500 Black-tailed Godwits and 800 Lapwing over high tide being harassed by marsh Harriers and Sparrowhawks.  There was even a bonus fly by Cattle Egret that headed straight across the river – the first one here for eight days so almost certainly a new bird in this record breaking national season.

A skyscape time line...

10.47am 

12.16pm

1.32pm

2.01pm

2.11pm

2.30pm

2.54pm

3.11pm

3.36pm

3.37pm
 

3.40pm
 

3.53pm