An early morning visit to Crossness this morning proved very frustrating. Arriving around 7.30am to find much of the site covered in a thick mist. We were hoping to find the Penduline Tit but despite a two-hour search of the area surrounding the dipping pond, there was no sight or sound of it. After crossing the road we began another search of the reedbeds in front of the viewing screen but again failed to find the target. Several Bearded Tits were present and showed extremely well right in front of us. After another hour or so we decided to admit defeat.
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| Entrance to South Marsh and dipping pond |
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| The dipping pond |
Heading further South along the M25 we eventually arrived at Mercers Country Park in Redhill Surrey. A Black-throated Diver had taken up residence on the lake here since the 3rd of February. The main gate to the park was locked upon arrival! apparently, the Aqua Sports Company that operates from here is not open on a Friday in January and February thus the gate to the car park is locked. After finding a side street to park in we entered via a pedestrian pathway and began scanning the lake. The sides of the lake were bordered by trees on each side and this made scanning the lake difficult. It was a case of finding an opening through the trees, scanning the lake and then moving on to the next opening and scanning again. Eventually, the Black-throated Diver was found in the middle of the lake. I managed a record shot through the scope before we headed for home.
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| Black-throated Diver |
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