New Hythe

I thought I'd just go and see if the jack snipe was still lurking along the stream that ran along Lunsford lane at New Hythe but no such luck, too much to expect really after a week but you never know. Although it was very gloomy and cold, birds were still confiding with goldcrests down to a few feet. No sign of any bitterns although I didn't get as far as Brooklands. I bumped into two redpolls of the British ssp cabaret along the lane and then whilst watching them I heard what sounded like a woodpecker drumming against some metal and that is exactly what it was. I'm not sure what this great-spotted woodpecker was trying to achieve but I'm sure it must have been giving itself a headache, it was determined to drill a hole into the metal.

Last Saturday, Lisa and I went to Dungeness being tempted by the reports of bitterns being seen on the RSPB reserve. Most of the pools were frozen over but a few open patches of water held a good selection of birds with red-crested pochards, slav and black-necked grebes and smews including a cracking male. We also managed to see certainly 2 and possibly 3 bitterns and some of the views were very good for such a secretive species. Lens envy ensued as I noticed someone there with a Canon 500mm f4 and not to be out done by Steves jack snipe shot, here is my best close up of bittern on the day. You can just make it out where the reeds meet the water in the lower middle of the shot with its head facing left.

On the 3rd Jan I decided to finally go and get some photos of the falcated duck that has decided to stay at Southfleet duck pond amongst all the farmyard ducks and geese and large group of mallards. It was bloomin bitterly cold but luckily the sun appeared for just a few moments and allowed me to get this shot of the glossy green head on this superb male.

Dare I say 'beautiful plumage' but I think it is. The vermiculations and scalloping on the breast feathers is exquisite.

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