With a cold northerly wind blowing I gave the early morning sea watch a miss today, which after talking to AJG was the right choice.

A Willow Warbler in the lighthouse garden and 2 Wheatears by the Experimental Station were the highlights. Th 1w Iceland Gull was still at The Patch per PT. 

 Garganey from Firth

On the reserve the Ring-necked Duck was still on Cook's Pool and the Long-eared Owl still at the Dipping Pool. From Firth hide on a wind swept Burrowes a drake Garganey was showing well as were 2 lingering Pintail, a few Swallows were over the lake but no waders on the islands 

 Pintail from Firth

 Goldeneye from Makepiece

In the sheltered area of water by Makepiece a lingering Goldeneye and a Water Rail. The walk up to Denge Marsh produced a Lesser and Common Whitethroat, plenty of Sedge and Warblers, also several Cetti's Warblers.

 Distant Garganey Denge Marsh

From Denge Marsh hide another distant Garganey, a Great-white Egret, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel the White-fronted Goose also a Bittern with a weak stuttering boom. At the back of the hide another Lesser Whitethroat and a cacophony of Sedge Warblers despite the cold miserable weather. The Hooded Merganser was still on the first pool on the footpath to Lydd and 3+ Marsh Harriers there.

Early afternoon a walk from Springfield Bridge down the track to Denge Marsh Gully and back found, 2 Corn Buntings, a single Blackcap, a Stonechat, 2 Willow Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler and a Wheatear.

While at home having a warming cup of tea a message from MP about 2 Water Pipits at Cook's Pool gave me the reason to brave the cold again. On a arrival at Cook's Pool a Bittern was showing clambering up the reeds. As I have never seen a Bittern from my garden can I count this one as my house can be seen in the background of the image below? One of the Water Pipits was also showing , eventually the 2 Water Pipits were seen with 2 Yellow Wagtails there. My visit was cut short by message from SO about a Pied Flycatcher showing well in the Gorse at West beach.

 Bittern Cook's Pool (garden tick????)

 Pied Flycatcher West Beach

 Pied Flycatcher West Beach