Monday 11th. March 2013

Recent weather conditions have not exactly been conducive with getting out and about , but I did manage a very wintry visit to Hayes Farm yesterday morning . It was so cold that even the 'brass monkey' failed to show up . Unexpectedly , not a single Winter Thrush was found , but both Song and Mistle were in full song . Gulls dominated the horse paddocks , with a good showing of Common and just a single Lesser Black-backed combining with the Black-headed . The Trout Fishery , being the highest point on the farm was Artic , with a very lazy , bitter wind blowing . The scan was well worth while though , with four pairs of Gadwall , three pairs of Tufted Duck , along with the usual Mallard types and the farmyard duck . Two pairs of Little Grebe were amongst the Coots and Moorhens . Greylag Geese were dominating the floating nest islands in the middle of the fishery , Canadas were bathing in the furthest margins , and the resident white farmyard geese were holding territory on the far bank as usual , but no sign of any Egyptians . Only other interest was a mini 'murmuration' of Starlings over the fields beyond the lake . I must admit , I was pleased to get back to the car , and out of that wind .
My plans for today were scuppered with snow flurries and longer spells of snow , right from first light . I did get a couple of chores done in the garage and got up to date on processing recently taken photos , which I was pleased to have done . About 2.30 this afternoon , I read a report of a Water Rail seen , within a stones throw of the High Street in Bromley . I looked out of the window , and it was a bit brighter , without any snow , so I decided to head off and see if I could find the bird . On arrival , there was still no snow , but today's wind was even colder than yesterday . I checked the area where the bird had been seen , an area of open water with much debris floating around , between two sections of culverted river , and dominated by a large island with  several very large multi-stemmed Willow trees and Phragmites Reed . I found Mallards , Coots and Moorhens , but no Water Rail . A walk downstream failed too , but another sign of Spring , in the form of the only broad-leaved tree in

the UK to bear cones , the Alder , were sporting both male and female catkins , together with last

year's cones . The yellow/green catkins are the males , the females being bud shaped , and coloured not unlike the female Hazel flowers . By the time I got back to the car , I was ready to head home , but decided to have one last look . As I got almost to the end of the island , I saw some ripples , and could make out a bird dipping into the water . I thought Coot or Moorhen , but through the branches

of the Willow , with the help of the binoculars , it turned out to be the Water Rail . The bird spotted me immediately , and scurried off to finish it's wash and brush up amongst the debris further back on

the island . As usual with this species , clear shots prove difficult to get , but a few minutes later , it headed out into the open for just a few seconds , before disappearing into the Phragmites at the back

of the island in ever worse light conditions , as yet another snow flurry moved in , so with not being able to feel my fingers , I was quite happy to call it a day and head back home .
Apologies for anyone who tried to use the link at the end of my last post , as it didn't work , and I don't know why . So , I asked John if I could post one of the Red Kite shots , which I do here . Yes ,

the Red Kite that turned up after I left the reserve , what's new ? Great shot John .
And finally , especially for fellow blogger ShySongbird , the first Primroses that I have found this

year , I know they are a favourite .