Little Egret, Lemsford Springs

Spent a lovely day with our friends Al and Liz. Lots of good food and conversation. A good day weatherwise too as it was a bright, sunny, clear afternoon which enabled us to get out to Lemsford Springs in search of the ellusive Kingfisher.

A little jewel, tucked away just off the M25, where you had to collect the key to let you in from the Warden. The reserve is alongside the River Lea and is based around old watercress beds that now flourish in the clear spring waters that give the place its name

No Kingfisher sadly, but an elegant Little Egret who was on parade outside the hide hunting for food. We also saw Green Sandpipers, Snipe, a Heron (who had a very inactive afternoon standing on the banks, moving only his head from time to time) a pair of Mallards and some Moorhens. Also seen was a Grey Wagtail but I didn't spot that.

The sun eventually began to set and, as is always the case, these hides can be very cold and draughty so it was time to repair back to Al and Liz's to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice (or two) of cake in the very enjoyable surroundings of their new conservatory. The cake filled the gap while we anticipated dinner.

The journey back was frustrating, several speed limits owning to roadworks on the M25, all expecting you to come down to 40mph. Some of the areas were not being worked in at all and once again the matrix signs were about as much use as a chocolate teapot. The journey back was at least easier than the journey up. An accident at the Dartford Tunnel had closed two lanes so we had to do our customary detour via the Blackwall wormhole. We seem to have to go the Blackwall way more often than not.

Even on the way home at 11.00pm, there was over two miles of queuing traffic northbound.