Friday 17th.December 2010

Firstly , leftovers from Monday's blog , when Davo/Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris , thought that a Gull that was in the shot taken on the frozen middle pond at Keston , might have been a 1st. winter Mediterranean Gull . I found another shot taken at the same visit , that shows the three Gulls that were on the ice with a number of dodgy Ducks , the two Gulls on the left being those in the original shot . Also , a close up of the original two . I've looked at all three and pictures of a 1st. winter Mediterranean Gull , and to be honest , I'm not sure either way . It would be nice to have the record of the species on the site , but will leave it to those who know better to decide .

Didn't get out yesterday , as work on the Common was cancelled , and it rained most of the day .

Had an appointment this morning , and was hoping to get out this afternoon , then just about midday , the sky went black , and just as the last of the snow was disappearing , a half hour blizzard covered everything again . That has now frozen , and with more snow forecasted for tomorrow , watch this space .

I have spent my spare time both days , processing the many photographs taken over the last week or so . I hadn't realised that just at Sevenoaks Reserve alone , in the gloom of the fog , I had taken well over 100 Water Rail shots .
What a difference when I got back to the shots taken at Mote Park , of which there were almost 100 in brilliant sunshine . The two birds almost look as if they are different species , with the colours and markings showing so much better in the sun .

With more snow tomorrow , the clear up task with the Surrey Group has been postponed .
Will I get out ?