NEW HYTHE 2023 THE YEAR SO FAR

It's been several years since I posted on my blog so i'm looking forward to hopefully picking up where i left off. The new birding year started for me on 2nd January at New Hythe lakes. It wasn't an auspicious start with a disappointing 38 species seen. Goldcrest and bullfinch were probably the highlights among the usual suspects like the redwing above. It's fair to say i think, that it's been a disappointing winter at New Hythe with a single juvenile goldeneye on Alders big lake being the only decent winter visiting duck so far. Although a smattering of firecrests and the first bittern seen on site for about six years have helped maintain some interest. Last week saw the return of oystercatchers on the tidal Medway, seen from our viewpoint at Bucket Wood along with redshank, kingfisher, several snipe and visits from the common seal which has been entertaining the regular watchers for several years now. Two mediterranean gulls over Abbey Mead lake were an unexpected surprise as well last week and this morning a red kite drifting high over the sunken marsh brought my total species for NH so far this year to 58.