Minsmere & beyond

Marsh Harrier

Minsmere Scrape

Black-headed Gulls

Mediterrian Gull

Sedge Warbler

Avocets

Marsh Harrier

Sand Martin

Wheatear

Minsmere reed beds

A plan was hatched to go and try & see the reported American Bittern in Suffolk. With midweek fog and sightings being very sporadic we switched our attempt to Friday which would give us the weekend to recover from what would be a very long day. The travel party would consist WarwickRCBirder, Chris Lane, the Squire & myself. The Squire arrived late, rallying his car round the final corner on two wheels before parking. 

With a dip highly likely we opted to visit Minsmere first, a rare RSPB reserve that I hadn't visited. Over the car park a Sparrowhawk hunted high and once inside we visited the impressive Sand Martin bank before trying to find a Stone Curlew. Sadly the Stone Curlews had not returned as yet but we did pick up a couple of Wheatear as Mediterranean Gulls flew over head.

On the way to the Mere Hide we recorded many Blackcaps in good voice and a calling Tawny Owl on the Adder Trail. From the hide the reported Savi's Warbler was picked up calling at long distance but was never seen which was frustrating as it would have been a lifer for the Squire. I did pick up a year tick with a Bearded Tit in flight before diving deep down in the reeds. A Eurasian Bittern was seen once during our session in the hide with at least four Marsh Harriers. 

It was grim listening to the warden who reported a huge loss of the Cett's Warbler population over the winter. Lets hope for a speedy recovery. 

On the walk to the scape a Sedge Warbler rose out of the reeds, from the hide there was plenty of activity. Sightings included 14 Sandwich Tern,  6 Common Tern, a Turnstone, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, Meditarrean Gulls and two Oycestercatchers.

As we left the reserve we tried a local spot hoping for a Dartford Warbler but it seems everyone in area was struggling to see them but we did hear two Wood Larks and a Nightingale. Now for the American Bittern……………..see next blog for full details.