Woohoo! But sooo cold...

Denver Sluice, 19/11/06
James and Simeon

Got up early to bike to the Sluice and see if any more than the 10 already reported goosanders had arrived, but regretted it upon contracting frostbite... what happened to the mild autumn of two days ago? We saw all the goosanders (3 males and 7 females), but no more arrivals. A count of 7 grey herons was exceptionally high, and other highlights included the resident kingfisher, 2 little grebes and a grey wagtail which kept flying around our heads. Many thrushes were present including fieldfare, mistle and song thrush, and 50+ redwing, but there were very few blackbirds. However, the undisputed highlight of the day was just as we were about to leave. Low over our heads and then giving a final fly-by across the river, was a magnificent bittern - a cracking first for all of our patches! We walked quickly to the small area of reeds where it landed, but it did not cooperate for a photograph and we didn't see it again. We were amazed to hear from the Sluice manager that he had seen bittern there several times, so fingers crossed...