October 2008
Green Heron seen at West Hythe.
26/10/08
My first sighting ever of a Green Heron.
Hasty arrangements were made late last night, as news of a Green Heron, seen at West Hythe, filtered through via the R.B.A pager. Being a first for Kent, and also a bird I have never seen before, I left home at 6 o clock, arriving at the Royal Military canal in West Hythe ¾ of an hour later, and followed a few other birders to the weir where it had been seen yesterday. Most of the birders from Kent were already in attendance, and along with them, I waited, camera at the ready, in a constant drizzle, made worse by a stiffening wind. I was only there for 30 minutes before it flew in to the canal in front of me, and landed on the reed bed to the far side of the bank. It continued to show on and off throughout the morning, and obtaining pictures in the dull light was challenging, but a few were gained, which was pleasing , as after a couple of hours I was soaked. A break mid morning, when along with Martyn Wilson, Steve Ray and Allan Ashdown, we drove into Dymchurch for a full English, and returned an hour later to the twitch. We saw the bird again on our return, but at 11 0 clock, the conditions got the better of me, and I made a hasty retreat to the car, and home. A 2-0 win for the Gunners, seen on Sky this afternoon, rounded of a great day.