LONDON NEWS

Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on foreshore near Yacht Club. 3 Ruff, 6 Avocet, Grey Plover, Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, 3 Rock Pipit, 5 Curlew. Hampstead Heath : Water Rail showed briefly on Sanctuary Pond at 08:00 (Allan Stewart). Another Water Rail at top of Ladies Pond at 0900. Bittern on Conservation Pond in N W corner at 09:45 (Birdguides); Bittern watched by ST and FT from 0915 to 0950; moves from right to left of reedbeds at Sanctuary Pond- chased a Water Rail across the ice. Also pr Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Siskin. West Thurrock Marshes: 67 Black Tailed Godwit, Bar Tailed Godwit, 8 Oystercatchers, 24 Curlew, Knot, 3 Sanderling, 16 Common Snipe, 7 Avocet, 52 Redshank and Jack Snipe.