Smew

The idea was to go and photograph the Cattle Egret at Dengemarsh in Kent but with no cattle to be seen, it or they may have moved on for the time being?. So here are two images from Dungeness RSPB reserve of the Smew. Three redheads were present as was the cracking male- just a shame they wasn't a bit closer.

 Male

Redhead

Rainham Marshes

It was a cold and bright start at Rainham Marshes on Saturday morning so I decided to set up at the small pool just past the Ken Barrett hide to see the showy Water Rails that have been there, they were, but  certainly not showy. A kingfisher and Common Chiffchaff were also seen whilst getting cold waiting for the Rails to appear. So after a while I gave up and carried on and added Bullfinch to my patch year list near the feeders next to the boardwalk.

Reed Bunting

Chiffchaff

The Slavonian Grebe at Wanstead

Just had to go back for the Slavonian Grebe at Wanstead Saturday morning and like last time the Herony Pond was mostly frozen over but time it was the dark and shaded area with over hanging trees that was ice free  , so not ideal. Watching the Grebe snorkelling is something I've never seen Slav's do before, just like a Great Northern Diver does when hunting fish but this Grebe likes Sticklebacks! Later on in the session I was joined by Jono and a smart female Kingfisher which he needed for his all important Wanstead year list.

Female Kingfisher

Red eye

With so many images of the Slavonian Grebe taken yesterday and the news of its presents still today, here are a few more of this little stunner from Wanstead.

Slavonian Grebe at Wanstead

I was going start my Rainham Marshes year list this morning, when Nick Croft the finder of the Slavonian Grebe at Wanstead texted saying the Grebe was still present from the day before in the corner of Heronry Pond, where it was still ice free.

I 've had 'good one's' before like the one in Dartford a couple of years back but this was a real stunner. The morning was cold and foggy so the light not great BUT the views! Much better than I've ever had before.

So my new patch year list may not be a high total at the moment, but this morning was nice start to the year with some quaility like a Slavonian Grebe in the middle of London......

Adult winter Slavoian Grebe