Rare bird visits the Thames

News from the RSPB site

One of Europe's most threatened migratory songbirds has been spotted at Rainham Marshes nature reserve.

The aquatic warbler is a rare UK visitor, occasionally dropping in on its unusual migration route between Eastern Europe and West Africa. These small brown and black birds are difficult to spot, but a volunteer at the reserve confirmed the sighting today in a reedbed near the Visitor Centre.

It's the third time since records began that an aquatic warbler has been spotted at Rainham Marshes. The last time was in August 2004.

Aquatic warblers don't spend much time in the UK so there's not much that can be done to help them here. Instead, we have invested time, energy and money in supporting our International colleagues in conserving and enhancing the species' strongholds, particularly in Poland.

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