Bitterns

Lade - 0830hrs -  cold, dry, overcast, nne 3 - The wind had swung round further to the north but remained bitingly cold with occasional snow flurries throughout the day. Little of note on the pits apart from a flyover Great White Egret and a Sparrowhawk. Down at Littlestone a single Snow Bunting was on the beach near the ramp, while six species of waders noted on the bay.
RSPB - 1100hrs - Did a Bittern walk for RSPB and a dozen birders during which we had two brief flight views of birds from Christmas Dell and Dengemarsh hides; all things considered something of a success in the strong wind. Also noted, 4 Goldeneyes and 5 Smews on Burrowes, including a drake, Stonechat and Fieldfare on the hayfield and 4 Barnacle Geese on the fields at Dengemarsh plus around a hundred Wigeons, Lapwings and Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, Curlew, Dabchick and Kestrel. Marsh Harriers were much in evidence around the bird reserve flushing the flocks in search of weaklings; while from Christmas Dell we watched one large female harrier tucking into a recently dispatched Coot.
From the causeway road on ARC 200 Shovelers and a Great White Egret of note.