So far this winter at New Hythe its been slow bird wise.No cold weather wildfowl or grebes of note and I still haven`t seen a Siskin or Redpoll,although  Goldfinches as usual are present in good numbers feeding on the Teasel heads.This morning I had 49 species,birds of note being -Kingfisher (1),Little Egret (1),Redshank (1),Green Sandpiper (1) Snipe (2) Pochard (12),Shoveler (4) Teal (38) Lapwing (4) Common Buzzard (1) Chiffchaff (2) Water Rail (1) Goldcrest (1) and Treecreeper (1).

Pochard continue there downward trend in numbers.My maximum count so far this winter is just (19) birds.My garden is also slow,with no sightings so far of Reed Buntings or Blackcaps.