First Bittern

Dungeness RSPB - mild, sunny, e 2 - A guided wildlife walk this morning around the circular route delivered a typical range of wetland birds for a lively group of individuals that included a couple of families with youngsters, which is always good to see. A pair of Marsh Harriers put on a fine show over Hooker`s reedbed, where we also had brief flight views of a Bittern, my first of the year. All the expected wildfowl were present on Burrowes, including several Goldeneyes and Shelducks, plus hundreds of Lapwings, gulls and Cormorants, the latter already repairing nests in the tree colony.
  With the temperature in the low teens several honey bees were actively feeding on gorse flowers, while songsters such as Great Tit, Greenfinch, Dunnock and Cetti`s Warbler hinted that spring is only just around the corner. Also noted during the circuit, Great White and Little Egret, Grey Heron, Raven, Little Grebe, Linnet, Skylark and 200 Stock Doves on the fields at Dengemarsh.