and finally!

Sunday dawned reasonably sunny after a Kent night of gales and rain. Having seen the Night Heron, albeit well tucked away in the reeds yesterday, we decided to head off after breakfast to try for a better sighting. So having got there just before 9 o'clock we wandered along the canal path. Saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker high in the trees and heard a Green woodie; blue tits, robins and chaffinches seen, as well as Moorhens, Coots, Mallards and the Muscovy Duck!

We got to the dam and our first "spot" there were four "birders" - this is quite a common species and mostly seen in their green winter plumage; occasionally you might see the face peeping out from (usually knitted) headcoverings! This particular group were carrying additional "eyes" which add distance to the range of their eyesight! We then spotted our target bird - the Night Heron. Again, hidden in the rushes, in the shade and very still. I got off an initial shot which only just showed it's beak -

so I moved a little further around. It had also moved - very slightly.

Having gone through the field's gate, I moved a few feet further along and managed to observe it better from this angle.

Pity it was so still and, given the time of day, not searching for food but hey - I saw it and got a record shot - whoo hoo!!

Pete and I then headed off in our respective directions and, home by lunchtime, had a sandwich and am now contemplating the sun and...