As the various postings of the last week or so illustrate, the freezing weather has led to an influx of Bittern into our area. These birds have been easier to see as they struggle to find food, particularly at Rye Harbour and Dungeness. On Sunday one spent the whole day standing in a grassy field in Pett. One has also been observed several times in the Pannel Valley.
Saturday 10: With most of the pits still frozen, the majority of wildfowl, including 19 smew and 13 goosanders, were gathered on New Diggings. There were several sightings of bittern and the black-necked and Slavonian grebes and red-crested pochards were still present. A single scaup was on the ARC pit, a woodcock was spotted in the field alongside Christmas Dell and a water pipit was seen from Firth hide.
Sunday 11: Sightings today included single Slavonian and black-necked grebes, at least seven bitterns, 14 Bewick’s and one whooper swan, three smew, eight goosanders, merlin, hen harrier, Caspian gull, woodcock and two firecrests.