4th January 2012
Brickfields LNR.
Well Tuesday’s weather forecast was right, wet and windy, horrible to say the least. I said it was looking bad, but that was an understatement! About mid day a mini storm hit my garden, just like a hurricane, I’m glad my garden fences are still in one piece!
I did not think it was a good idea to venture out and check on the trees over Brickfields for damage. You probably saw the damage across the country on the news. Didn’t fancy being hit on the head by falling branches, let alone a whole tree!
So today had a look over Brickfields, no damage to report, just a few small branches broken off and a bit more wood in the pond. I thought we got away lightly.
Sometimes good comes from out of bad , for another new bird added to the list of species and one I was not expecting.... A Little Egret.  It was around the pond and took off when I approached. A lovely bird.

The Little Egret is more delicate-looking than any other heron-like bird which occurs in Britain. It is much smaller than a Grey Heron, with snowy white plumage, a long pointed black bill and black legs with strikingly yellow feet. In flight its legs project from the back. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor. It is included on the Amber List as rare breeding species. A recent colonist, it is most common along the south and east coasts of England. They are becoming increasingly common sight in inland areas where there is water and wetlands. A few are seen at Rainham Marsh on a daily basis. See pictures below.   Bye for now
                                  Little Egret                                          &                               Illustration in flight