A big decision today and a long drive to Suffolk to twitch a Purple Swamphen that had been present since last weekend. To cut a long story short, as it happened the bird did a bunk on Friday night so it was a massive dip, but we gave it a go and actually had a nice couple of hours wandering around this great reserve. I had left home at 5am picking up Oli and John en route.
Pretty much the first thing we saw as we left the car park was a Painted Lady amongst commoner butterflies on one of the buddleia bushes, and then off to South Hide where around 150 birders were waiting patiently and staring at a reed-fringed pool that was devoid of any mega rarities!
A couple of Bearded Tits were seen whilst we waited but after by 10.30am there had been no sign so we took a walk around the reserve, knowing if it was seen we would easily be able to get back. As we reached the sluice a juvenile Wheatear put on a good show and single Whinchats and Stonechats were seen. On then to the hide overlooking the East Scrape where there were good numbers of waders and an amazing forty or so Little Gulls. Waders included a single Knot, three Green Sandpipers, a couple of Little Ringed Plovers and Ringed Plovers, several Dunlin and loads of Black-tailed Godwits and Avocet. As well as that at least four Spotted Redshank were noted and a single Turnstone. A great selection of stuff.
We continued the circular walk around Minsmere, pausing to try and see the breeding Stone Curlews, but all we could find were three Curlews and a pair of Lesser Whitethroats. Loads of Sand Martins were over their nest burrows and a couple of Marsh Harriers were seen high over the reeds.
At 1pm we decided to call it quits and drove back home, seeing a couple of Red Kites on the way. A long day out and I drove over 500 miles, we didn't see the bird we wanted to see, but had a good trip out nonetheless.
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