The New Year has got off to a pretty slow start. After getting rid of all the relatives there was a vague plan for two days birding - one on my own around in the local area and a day trip to norfolk. however both Judith and I went down with a horrid cold and sore throat so even local trips were out of the question.
We did have to go and drop off our tax returns in Chesham though, so it seemed rude to not at least try for the Greatr White Egret in the Chess Valley which was pretty much on the way back from Chesham.
So, after quickly dropping the forms off we started at the far end of the valley, and strted searching. We only had a vague idse that it was normally near Latimer, but could be quite mobile. So, it was a case of "get out, have a scan" and move on. A couple of times we went for a wanfer down to the river, including at the weit by Latimer, but not a sausage. A few winter thrushes around but not much else.
We had one bit of excitment when almost at Chenies when Judith spotted an egret in a tree, but on inspection it was only a Little Egret. I was ready to give up but Judith suggested one last look down the last lane before Chenies on the watermeadow. I know Judith really good at spotting dso she looked and i drove. At the end ogf the lane she called out that she may have something so i dropped her off and parked up. "i think its there"!!!. It took me a minute or two to gt onto it, but there in the reeds it was - stalking frogs or whatever. Not the greatest of views but more thna enough to clinch the i.d.
So, at least one nice bird to get the year list stared, all thanks to my eagle-eyed spotter!!!
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