Sitting in the conservatory with the wife this morning(Jeanette) she pointed out a small bird feeding in a small Yew tree in one of our tubs,it turned out to be a nice male Goldcrest,only one foot away.Other birds in the garden included a male Blackcap (ringed on the 7th) and a nice male Reed Bunting.Called into New Hythe between 0900-1000,saw the Bittern again in the usual place about six feet into the reeds and half way up the stems (preening),also seen on the 8th at 1430 (preening).A Little Egret flew over the west scrub towards Johnson`s lake and three Heron were present along the mill stream.Back again at 1330,no Bittern but 2 Buzzards were watched over the Downs across at Burham (displaying).

February 11th 1968,Johnson`s lake,1400.A bird which I first thought was a Robin feeding on one of the small islands in the lake,turned out to be a 1st winter female Bluethroat.It was last seen in the same area on March 4th (second wintering record for Kent).