First frost of winter

Lade - cold, dry and sunny, light airs - A stunning winter morning with the first proper frost of the season covering the shingle and plants with a white rime, and welding the stones together affording an easy transit over the pebbles. Barney, however, wasn't so sure as he slithered his way across to the main track! The view south to Dungeness had an ethereal feel with the power stations and lighthouses looming out of  the mist.

                                Mullein rosette

                                Looking south towards Dungeness

  Along the main track there was a good selection of birds for a change including Dartford Warbler and Stonechats, Reed Buntings and Greenfinch. Around the ponds Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were bonus birds (the finch being particularly scarce here) plus Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warbler. On the lakes most of the Great Crested Grebes have now dispersed, presumably onto the sea for the winter; a lone Goldeneye was the only wildfowl of note. Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tits, Mipits, Blackbirds and Robins also noted.

                                Great Spotted Woodpecker

                               Guelder Rose by the ponds