Monday 14th. February 2011

After my last couple of visits , it was good to see the early morning sun as I pulled into the car park at Sevenoaks Reserve . Having read recent reports of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker around the car park , and with no one else about , I had a good look around , without success . I did however put up this male Green Woodpecker from the picnic area , to pose on a nearby dead tree . On my way to the first hide , I also found this female Great Spotted relative .Very little apart from Teal and this pair of Shoveler , still sleeping in the shade .
A look from the Tower hide was difficult , looking straight into the rising sun , so I headed for the reedbed hide . Everything was very quiet apart from the odd Mallard and Coot on the pool behind , but with no wind , it was perfect to locate a Bittern , should one be there , which there wasn't . A distant sighting of a Water Rail in the gloom before the sun reached the area , and a very active Reed Bunting , given the still cool air temperature . One of the many Wrens heard and sometimes seen amongst the reeds , had more sense , and sat in the sun right outside the hide . Needless to say , the resident Robin turned up almost as soon as I arrived . I gave it almost 2 hours , then felling cold , went to have a look around , in the sunshine .

On one of the small islands , 3 Egyptian Geese were still half asleep . Whilst on Cairn Island , a Grey Heron was towering over a mixture of Canada and Greylag Geese , Cormorants and Black-headed Gulls . No Warren , the Gull above the Heron is not sitting on it's head .

As I walked along the main track on the other side of the lake , I could see a group of about 6 people , getting very excited and pointing cameras and optics over towards the Long Pit . I increased my pace , and on arrival at the group saw what all the excitement was about . A Bittern on the edge of the small reedbed , standing like a statue . I got a few shots , then one of the group decided that he wasn't close enough , and walked down a small path to an angler's peg , and the Bittern turned and disappeared into the vegetation behind . I had spotted two Great Crested Grebes from the far side of the main lake , looking like they were inspecting for a nest site , and when I returned to the main lake , they came together and started their 'mirroring' routine . Unfortunately , it didn't last long enough to get to the 'water walking' bit .A bit further along from where the Bittern was seen , a Grey Heron posed on a pile of logs , throwing it's reflection on the surface in front .On my way back , I checked the Willow Hide to see if the Bittern had headed for it's favourite reedbed there , but had no sighting . As usual , the Canada Geese were noisily bathing , before flying back into the sheep fields to feed .After photographing then in dull conditions , it was nice to get a pair of Gadwall in the now bright sunshine .Back alongside the main lake , one of the Great Crested Grebes popped up with a good sized fish , and I thought it might present it to it's mate , especially being Valentine's Day , but it didn't , eating it itself in double quick time .Very close by , the only Goosander seen today , a redhead . The Black-necked Grebe was found , but it stayed well out of camera range .

All around the reserve today , the birdsong was fantastic , none more so , than the still large flocks of Siskins , with a few Redpolls mixed in , chattering away noisily , whilst feeding on the Alder seeds .

A most enjoyable visit produced 57 species .

On the way home , I stopped off up on the Downs , to see how the Early Purple Orchids are coming on . I found at least 6 rosettes along the footpath , without going into the field , so there should be a good flowering season again this year .
Three days volunteering now , but you never know what might be found .