Northward Hill

Today was my first ever visit to RSPB Northward Hill since its completion as a reserve, and I had no idea what to expect to see. I keep an eye on its community page on the RSPB website, but as the weather was a bit grey, though not raining, and 'Howling a Hoolie' (to coin the phrase a Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer taught me about wind), I wasn't expecting to see a huge amount.

Thirty species and several close encounters with sheep later, I can safely say I've had a wonderful, muddy morning. The major plus being that I was in the luxurious position of having a choice of THREE unblipped birds to choose from. A Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinches and one of the umpteen Grey Herons I stumbled across as I emerged from a thicket and startled them as much as they startled me by just being sat there.

I eventually picked the Heron, seeing as this is the bird Northward Hill symbolises with its massive Heronry (already being reclaimed by the mass of Herons that live there). I've never seen so many Herons in one place, and it'll stick as my abiding memory of this morning.

Work tomorrow, unless the weather improves I may struggle now...