Dec 15, 2012 at 12:06 
At the eastern end of the pool a rather damp Parkes Hide gave good views this morning of fishing Little Egret, Little Grebe and Slavonian Grebe (above). Also obliging were Redshank and Spotted Redshank (below) shrimping around the pit margin. Lots of Teal and Tufted Duck, but I failed to find any Smew.
Dec 13, 2012 at 21:25 This morning at Newenden Flood (the bit of flooded grazing marsh just South of the Rother) there was a juvenille Marsh Harrier, and two Bewick’s Swans amongst a dozen or so Mute Swans, and maybe twenty or so Teal. There were a number of small waders and wintering finches, but didn’t have time to stop to look more closely. From Dean Morrison by e-mail.
Birds Dec 13, 2012 at 10:46 You can't beat a bit of cold weather to mix things up a bit and its been a great week here for avian interest. Yesterday at Castle Water two Great White Egrets left the Litte Egret roost at dawn and today probably the same two birds were on Flat Beach and gave fantastic flight views low over the Wader Pool. Additional interest at Castle Water this week included 3 Bittern, 355 Teal, 240 Shoveler, 500 Wigeon, 150 Gadwall, 10 Pintail and two Woodcock. On Harbour Farm an incredible 9 Jack Snipe were roosting with 260 Snipe, and at day break today 670 Curlew were present along the shore before dispersing as the sea made its way over the low water sand.The calm conditions Offshore made a bit of sea watching easier and highlights included 140 Red-throated Diver, 65 Great Crested Grebe and at least 200 Guillemots. And last but not least two redhead Smew were on Ternery Pool.
Dec 11, 2012 at 19:48 The first drake smew of the winter landed on Burrowes pit late this morning, accompanied by four redheads. The black-throated diver was still on New Diggings and three great white egrets were seen across the reserve. A 1st-winter glaucous gull was a pleasing find among the numerous great black-backeds on Burrowes pit early in the afternoon and two female goosanders could be seen from the Visitor Centre late on.
Dec 10, 2012 at 17:10 I have often seen Herring Gulls feeding on starfish along the shore, but was amazed at this one this afternoon. The image below is the last of three that were taken in quick succession, but I have shown them in reverse order.
