Minsmere (RSPB) - 31 May 2008

I had an enjoyable day on the Suffolk coast despite a few early set-backs due to the weather.

After a very early start I set out from Eastbridge along the footpath to Minsmere Sluice. The weather was very foggy so I had no chance of seeing any distant birds over the reed beds, and no hunting Barn Owls.

The closer hedgerow birds were however very much in evidence. I soon managed to see or hear Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers. 2 very vocal Cetti's Warblers less than 100m apart seemed to be competing against each other. Their loud songs were exploding out of the hedgerows at frequent intervals. I was able to spot one bird as it flew from 1 bush to another.

I then discovered that the path ahead of me was completely flooded and too deep to walk through. This didn't stop 2 red deer hinds who paddled through then squeezed there way under a barbed wire fence out on to the reed bed.

Disappointed, I turned back after only a very short walk and decided to try my luck at Dunwich Forest. Here in the trees the fog was not a problem. In the woods the rhododendrons were putting on a good show.






Rhododendrons

There were several Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a few Jays, Treecreepers and a couple of Blackcaps were heard singing. I managed to get a very clear few of one of the Blackcaps just as I returned to the car park. On an area of heath a Tree Pipit was singing from a lone birch tree.

The misty air produced some good spiders web in an area of newly-planted pine trees. The spiders webs were on the ground and each had a funnel in the centre.


Spider's web

It was now 8.30 and so I made my way the the RSPB reserve at Minsmere. I decided to have quick visit to the Bittern Hide before the Visitor Centre opened at 9. A Bittern was booming somewhere to the left of the hide and as usual a Cetti's Warbler was signing underneath me. A sparrowhawk perched on a dead tree took off across the reed bed.

Although no bitterns were seen during this first visit to the hide the Marsh Harriers were very active, often being mobbed by Black-Headed Gulls.




Marsh Harrier (female)

Some Bearded Tits were in the reeds in front of the hide and a Red Deer crossed a stream and walked off along the track.



Red Deer

With the fog almost gone I checked in at the centre and made my way around the Scrape. There were plenty of sand martins in the sand bank in the old car park area. A Nightingale was surprisingly sitting out in the open on a grass bank.

Little Terns were nesting in the fenced-off area on the beach. These are one of my favourite birds. I love to watch them hovering over the Scrape or at sea.


Little Tern

From the East Hide there were hundreds of Black-Headed Gulls, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults, 1 2nd Summer), lots of Common Terns, many Avocets, Lapwings and Barnacle Geese. In front of the hide were a pair of moorhens with their chicks, which stayed safely hidden in the reeds most of the time. 3 Turnstones came to Island in front of the hide




Avocet




Black-Headed Gull


Turnstones


Moorhen

Along the Beach to the Sluice were Linnets, Dunnocks, Stonechats and Meadow Pipits. Cetti's Warblers were signing in the Sluice Bushes.


Stonechat (male)


Meadow Pipit

At the Sluice, Swallows were the star attraction. These lovely birds were eager to pose for photos.






Swallow on the signpost


Swallow on the gate to the levels


Swallow inside the sluice

The path from the Sluice to the South hide was very flooded, but passable with wellies or walking boots. From here 2 Bitterns were seen flying over the reed beds behind and I also got a good view of a Cetti's warbler out in the open.


Cetti's Warbler

A Little Gull was with the Black-Headed Gulls and Common Terns on the South Scrape, along with Avocets and Oystercatchers.


Avocet

After lunch I went back to the Bittern Hide for more good views of the Marsh Harriers. Again Bitterns were booming were 2 separate locations. A Heron was in front of the hide and a Little Grebe.


Marsh Harrier (female)


Marsh Harrier (male)


Grey Heron


Little Grebe

There were plenty of Marsh Harriers at the Island Mere hide too and another view of 2 Bitterns flying together and a Hobby. Out on the water were a few Tufted Ducks and some Cormorants.


Cormorants

To round off the visit a detour from the beach to Dunwich Heath provided some good views of a number of Dartford Warblers.

There was much evidence of breeding success at Minsmere. A number of birds had chicks including Avocets, Oystercatchers, Black-Headed Gulls, Geese, Mallards, Coots and Moorhens.

Coot with chicks

Black-Headed Gull with a hungry chick


Oystercatcher (one of a pair with 2 chicks)

Maybe more Black-Headed Gulls to follow!