Wednesday 5th January (A Fox joins in the Search)

Mr. Kite had an lazy morning watching the rain dropping from a gloomy sky. At about two o'clock a few breaks in the cloud appeared and he decided he must make a move and go birding. With the unpredictable weather Mr. Kite decided that he would visit the lagoon in search of a Bittern or a Water Rail.

Once again he dressed up warmly for a chilling few hours in the hide. To help him search the reed beds Mr. Kite took his super telescope. On reaching the lagoon Mr. Kite noticed that there was still a thin layer of ice on the water and most importantly for a bird-watcher the lagoon was bird less. But he set up his telescope and looked at the Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves that were perched on trees outside of the reserve.

Every few minutes he scanned the reed beds carefully trying to pick out a camouflaged Bittern or a plain Water Rail. This went on for hours with the odd break to watch Black-headed Gulls, Mute Swan and Corvids fly over. A few ducks flew over and chose not to land on the icy wet surface.

With darkness creeping on Mr. Kite noticed a visitor on the left hand side of the hide. It was a Red Fox and he trotted on the ice towards the reed beds that Mr. Kite had watched so keenly all afternoon. This helpful animal started at the near end. Now Mr. Kite thought to himself 'blimey Raynard will flush out that elusive Bittern'. At any moment he expected a large brown and gold bird to break cover. Raynard continued walking along the edge of the reeds stopping at intervals to put his nose into the reeds. It surely was just a matter of time before something appeared but no. The fox reached the end of the reeds and walked off into the undergrowth. Mr. Kites conclusion the Bittern was not there.

After such an anti-climax it was time to go home for a cup of tea; and not a drink of beer.