Today started as forecasted , grey and wet , but by about 10 o'clock , the rain stopped and the sky lightened a bit , enough for me to grab my things and get out . A snap decision to go for the male Goldeneye that Phil / Sharp by Nature , had posted recently was made , but once again reaching Wrotham Hill on the M20 with the 'Fog' lights flashing , the idea seemed flawed . The fog did thin out going down the other side , but it was very grey . Parking in Lunsford Lane , I had a quick look at the stream/raging torrent that runs alonside the road , but nothing showing . I walked the footpath between the large and small Alders Lakes , and with no anglers about ,
located the male and immature out in the gloom of the small lake . The pair are so edgy , the moment either spot you , they head over the other side of the lake . They had been diving , but 
then both went into preening mode , the male showing off his brilliant white underside whilst doing so . I got behind a large Willow and waited , hoping that they might come closer .Whilst under cover , I made the odd 'distressed Vole call' , or at least I think that was the noise I was making , as I have read that by doing so , you stand a better chance of getting the photograph you want . Eventually , I'm not sure if it was due to the calls , the male moved to the angler's car park end and started feeding again , only to have a Black-headed Gull try to mug him every time he returned to the surface . I also saw it reacting to fly over Gulls as Phil had described . I only 
moved when he dived , then had to guess where he was going to come up , and this was the best I could manage in the conditions , but it does show how the species gets it's name .I then left him to feed and decided that I must have another look for Bittern whilst I was there , so headed for Brookland's car park , which showed no evidence of Mr. Bittern/Phil Sharp in attendance . I carefully checked all the reedbeds around Brooklands Lake , especially near the paper works , but found nothing .Climbed to high ground above Abbey Mead , with the same result . As I was wearing wellingtons , dropped down and crossed the stream to get to the pipe with the view over the reedbeds of Abbey Mead , another blank . Almost the only bird I saw in
that corner was this Great Crested Grebe , just starting to come into it's breeding plumage . The small reedbeds along the anglers path back towards the railway were meticulously checked , again without result . My last chance were the reedbeds along the railway path side of 
Brooklands Lake , but just a few Tufted Duck and a sleeping pair of Pochard was all that was found . A small flock of Goldfinches feeding on Burdock seedheads met me back at the car park , on yet another Bittern-less visit . Light drizzle had started to fall , changing to light rain on my way home . By the time I had eaten my lunch , steady rain was falling . Just glad I decided to get out for a couple of hours between the rain .
open water this time , it quickly put distance between the two of us . I reached the last hide with very little found , but the sound of a child racing up and down the hide and screeching at the top of it's voice , convinced me of my mistake in turning in . Fortunately , after a few minutes , the family emerged , and the child raced down the path , followed by the parents , apparently oblivious of the disruption caused . I stayed at the hide for a while , without any more children turning up , but needless to say , the was no sign of the Water Rail or Bittern . The only birds 
seen in the reedbed were a pair of Wrens and a pair of Reed Buntings , of which , the female was by far the most showy , the male stubbornly refusing to come out of the reeds , perhaps thinking 
the racket was going to start again . There two other couples in the hide when the male half showed , and upon seeing him , one chap took out his notebook and said 'that's 119 so far this year' . I thought to myself , 119 species in 9 days , that's going some . I asked if he had been out every day , to which he replied this was his 4th. day of birding for the 119 . The other couple who were from Canvey Island looked as gobsmacked as I was . Just before leaving the hide , the 3 redhead Goosanders had re-united right over the other side of the lake , where they seemed to 
be feeding amongst some other ducks , sorry Warren . On the way back to the car , I passed three pushchairs and many young children , most of whom were giving their vocal chords a good work out , I couldn't get to the car quick enough .
also heard . Behind the island , a Nuthatch erupted into song , just as I was passing underneath . On the island itself , the new breeding season is getting under way . I counted at least 16 nests in the heronry and there could well have been more that I couldn't see . Most nests seemed 
complete , but odd birds were arriving with twigs to finish their nest off . Many of the waterfowl 
seemed to be pairing up too , this pair of Muscovy Ducks , one never leaving the other one's 
side . Also , looking as if breeding is high on the agenda too , this male Mandarin was looking very 
dapper , and of course , it is all to impress the ladies , one of whom , was very close by . Also in 
the same frame of mind , this adult Cormorant , with it's white flank patch starting to show . Of course , some are quite happy to rest for the time being , as was the case with this pair of 
Mandarins , on the river as I left the park . I had a quick look around the small wood that the river passes through before entering the wood , but only found Great Spotted Woodpecker , a mixed Tit flock , and lots of dog's muck .
Orpington Browns .
through them , all I saw was Fieldfares , when Adam said 'what about those three up top ?' . I got the binoculars on the threesome , almost choked on the cough sweet that I was sucking , and started the shutter clicking . In the early morning light , the three Waxwings looked absolutely 
superb , and I was well pleased that I had cleaned the card last night , given the number of shutter operations . They must have posed for about 3/4 minutes , when , once again , a short trill , and off they flew . Adam managed to keep them in sight , and saw them coming down at the rear of the Corner Orchard , and that was where we headed . It took some time , but eventually Adam spotted one on a post , which then flew down as if to feed . Once again , we got the sun behind us , then Adam very kindly let me go ahead to hopefully get some close shots . I slowly made my way between the rows , and to be honest , thought that they had flown , when 
almost at the end of the row , found two feeding on the apples . Not the greatest of shots , but the one on the right was a bit nervous , and I dare not get any closer . It proved right , as it flew off 
after just a couple of shots , but I managed to get closer to the bird that remained . Ideally , the shadow could have been elsewhere , but it's probably the closest I'll ever get to one of these fabulous birds . Soon after , all the Winter Thrushes lifted off , and the Waxwing joined them . A couple of minutes later , a Sparrowhawk , spotted by Adam , came at speed between the rows of trees , and overhead . By the time I got on to it , I managed another of my trademake 'rear-end' 
shots . I think Adam managed a couple of much better shots . I know I said I wouldn't post any 
more Redwing shots , but that light today was perfect , so just one more , and to go with it , one of the Fieldfares , this one , I managed to get to within 
10 metres of , before it flew . I said before that we had a few Brambling sightings , mostly amongst the Winter Thrushes , but the only shot I managed of one was a long distance shot 
along Adam's seeded track .
escape under a 3mtr. fence , and all I saw of the animal was it's disappearing tail .
did species yesterday . Green (pictured) and Great Spotted Woodpecker , Nuthatch and the usual Rose Ringed Parakeets was as good as it got today .
were the Jacob's Sheep , looking very snug in their winter coats .
pushing several flower spikes towards the now very grey sky . A bit more searching , and I 
eventually found one spike with the petals of the first flower of the year just opened .
first hide , I noticed a few birds right at the top of a large Silver Birch that turned out to be the first Redpolls that I have seen this Winter . I stopped at the open water beyond the hide , which had increased considerably since my last visit , but it contained mainly Tufted Ducks , Mallards and Pochard . As I walked on , more Mallard were found amongst the overhanging trees , then a sighting of a redhead stopped me in my tracks . The first sighting was followed by two more , and although I willed a male Goosander to follow them , but it didn't happen . I managed to get 
ahead of them as they made their way to the open water , when from being line astern , they grouped together and posed . After that , the walk to the end hide was without incident , until I was set upon by the resident Robin . Once again , I had come empty handed as I didn't know where I would end up . Needless to say , there weren't any Bittern sightings , but I was given the 
opportunity for yet more Water Rail shots , this time , right out in the open in front of the hide . The only other sightings were of a pair of Wrens and two Reed Buntings flew in , but disappeared immediately into the bottom of the reedbed . I left the hide , making sure the Robin was out , feeling well 
pleased and headed back to the main hide , passing a nice stand of fresh Velvet Shank-Flammulina velutipes , on the way .
when I got into the hide , when wave after wave of Canada and Greylag Geese descended in front , and immediately started their morning ablutions , noisily . Also out in front and on the 
first small island , I counted 18 Common Snipe and there could well have been more , here , 7 were feeding together in the soft mud . The washing and general disturbance of the Geese , 
seemed to attract one species , as the Black-necked Grebe turned up and started diving in amongst them . I could only think that small fish were being spook by the commotion and the Grebe was making the most of the situation . Beyond where the Common Snipe were feeding , a 
pair of Wigeon were grazing . Eventually , the Snipe started to spit up , and some made their 
way down to the waters edge , where they rubbed shoulders with the Teal amongst others . I had another sighting of just a single redhead Goosander , and just before leaving the hide , witnessed most of the Tufted Ducks that I had seen coming in soon after my arrival , were 
leaving in small squadrons . Walking back to the car park , my last sighting was a very mobile 
Goldcrest alongside the path , which was difficult to photograph , as I still had the large lens on , and couldn't get far enough away most of the time .
dropping out of sight , into the area that I know there is a pond . As it disappeared , two gardens further along , 3 Rose Ringed Parakeets were up to no good , ripping the unopened buds from 
the tree that they were perched in . As I have said before , when they get down into orchard areas in any sort of numbers , they will suffer the fate that Bullfinches used to , being shot and strung up on the fence lines . A call from Carol downstairs brought my attention to our garden , 
with the first visit of the Winter from a female Blackcap . A male has been seen for several weeks now , but less frequently recently . Last Winter , we managed 2 males and a female , all feeding on the Callicarpa berries together . Unfortunately , she was chased off by one of the many local 
Jackdaws , swooping in to see was was about to eat . I put the mesh on the side of the covered feeders in an attempt to keep these and the Collared Doves from 'hoovering' everything up , leaving nothing for the smaller birds , but both species found a way to get in in a matter of a few weeks .
photographed last visit , and a very mobile Grey Wagtail . I got a fleeting glimpse of a Water Rail as it disappeared up the gully at the back , then spent some time searching for my real quarry , the Jack Snipe . As I said , the light was not good and water level was quite high , so my hopes of finding the small camouflaged bird were not high . Then , out of the gloom , stepped a figure I knew , Simon / Mote Park - a Wildlife Patchwork , and was I pleased to see him , as if anyone had a chance of finding the Jack Snipe , it was the young eyes of Simon , but I knew it wasn't going to be easy . We scanned all the vegetation over and over without success , but , whilst 
doing so , the Green Sandpiper flew across in front of us and started to feed some 7/8 metres away . I was amazed how confiding this usually very flighty bird was , especially as there were 
many family parties , many with dogs , passing by on the road , but it did not seem to worry the bird . Once again the light didn't help , and nor did the bird's non stop movement in it's constant 
search for food . Also putting in an appearance was the same or another Water Rail , but it stayed well to the back of the pond . I must admit , I was beginning to give up on the Jack Snipe , especially as time was tight , when three words from Simon made my day , 'I've got it' . That began a period of frustration for me , and I'm sure despair for Simon , as he tried to describe where the small bird was in the tangle of dead vegetation , and I couldn't see it . It must have 
taken 10/15 minutes for Simon to guide my old eyes to the spot , but eventually , he managed it . There , nestled amongst the vegetation , about 5/6 metres out , was what I must have looked at several times and not seen , the head and shoulders of the Jack Snipe , with the two golden straps running over it's head and continuing down it's back . Given that the bird is about the same size as a Grey Wagtail , and coloured the same as the vegetation it was sitting in , how Simon spotted it I shall never know , but I am really thankful that he did , and after enjoying further views of the bird , he continued on his walk around the park , and I went back to the car and Carol , to continue our journey , feeling well chuffed , thanks to the keen young eyes of Simon .
gloom . I did manage a few shots , once again of poor quality , but I enjoyed watching them for the few minutes . I have since read that Ken / Focusing on Wildlife was there earlier in the day , when many more birds were in the area and he has posted some great shots on his blog .
