Not much has changed at Bowers Marsh, so it seemed when we got there-minimal facilities, a basic car park, and the whole area criss crossed with public footpaths and tracks. Even at half past nine it was hot, and with very little shade it proved rather exhausting doing the 5km circuit.
While we went primarily for dragonflies, butterflies and other insects, we ended up seeing very little and it was the birds that turned out to provide the highlights. Small Heaths were abundant, as were various White butterflies and we also saw a couple of Common Blues, Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks. Common and Ruddy Darters were out in small numbers and we also saw several Migrant Hawkers. We were hoping for Southern Migrants, this area being their stronghold but despite checking every hawker, none were seen. The area is good for Emerald and Scarce Emerald damselflies, but again none were found-just a few Bluetails and Common Blues.
A few waders were present on the lagoons-Black Tailed Godwits, including one that insisted on sitting on the path, one Green Sandpiper and a Curlew. Larger gulls flying down from the nearby landfill included a couple of Yellow Legged. One Kingfisher was a bit of a surprise.
The landfill fence was the best bit, with a flock of Linnets, one Yellow Wagtail, one or two Stonechats and a couple of Whinchats. Other probable migrants included a few Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Whitethroats.
After lunch we called in at RSPB West Canvey for a an hour or so, but this proved to be rather disappointing. This was the place for Southern Migrant Hawkers last time, but the ditches were overgrown, the more open areas of water didn't exist any more and we didn't see anything of interest. Butterflies and dragonflies were a repeat of Bowers Marsh, but in very small numbers and we didn't see many bird either apart from gulls and geese.
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