Having spent all day in the office, a quick trip down to the reserve before it got dark was on the cards. It was a still, mild evening, but the threat of more heavy showers was in the air. However, I'm pleased that I made the effort as I found the juvenile black tern that had been reported over the weekend was still present and showing well, as it darted and dipped over the reservoir east of Southfleet hide. With absolutely no wind, you could really appreciate the grace of this bird as it dropped to the waters surface to pick up a floating food item, or twisted in mid-air to catch a passing fly. Most autumn black terns move through the UK in August & September, but there are still quite a few birds scattered around the country as I type.
Other highlights included one of my favourite birds - a pristine adult male hen harrier - the first of the winter. There were also 3 buzzard, a merlin, 3 barn owls (with more calling at Kingshill Farm), 2 spotted redshank, a green sandpiper and a wheatear.
And all in about an hour. Not too shabby at all...