Penduline Tit

Lade - 0900hrs -chilly, sunny, w1 - At last, nailed a Bittern on the local patch, the first of the winter, sunning itself on the edge of the reedbed just south of the wall` mirror`. Unfortunately I only had bins with me, so distant, but in view for 20 minutes warming up in the sun. A pair of Ravens flew over `cronking` loudly as they headed inland, one with what looked like a shellfish in its beak. Several Marsh Harriers hunting over the airport and a pair of Shelducks on south pit.

                                          Lade  - wall `mirror` 
                     
ARC - 1215hrs Plenty of wildfowl from Hanson including 8 Goldeneyes, 3 Smews and a Pintail, single Blackwit, 3 Marsh Harriers, Water Rail and a Sparrowhawk. Whilst watching a small flock of passerines in the willows, including several Long-tailed tits and Chiffchaffs, was surprised to get brief views of a  Penduline Tit working its way through the top of the bushes. Only had the briefest of views of what appeared to be an adult, but didnt get a look at the legs to see if it was ringed, like the one at the back end of last year. I think this is the first sighting in 2012.