randombirder

Another great day at Minsmere - due to Covid - this was the first visit after around eighteen months. Always plenty to see around the reserve.  From the east hide, ten summer plumage spotted redshank were present out on the scrape along with a couple of green sandpiper , black-tailed godwit , and two stunning ruff in breeding plumage. The raucous sound of breeding gulls and terns including hundreds of black-headed gull , sandwich tern , and a few meditteranean gull and little tern were present on the islands. A couple of lovely male dartford warbler were present along the beach and three garganey (1 drake and 2 duck) were seen from the south scrape hide while searching for the roseate tern that weren't seen during the afternoon. A short vigil from the Bittern Hide hoping for the purple heron that failed to alight from the reedbeds was a real pleasure watching marsh harrier on feeding sorties.  A single hobby was seen flying over the reeds.

I remember pouring over bird books as a kid seeing birds like bee-eater, hoopoe, kingfisher and of course roller .  Drawn to the vivid coloration, it never felt conceivable that I would ever see such wondrous species.  With the bonus of it being under an hour from home this southern european gem appeared settled within a sheep field a mile or so east of the Suffolk village of Icklingham, sitting patiently along telegraph wires, frequently setting off in pursuit of a snacky invert. These terrible photos just don't do it justice but it was a joy to watch.

A brilliant week in North Wales celebrating all kinds of things from birthdays to engagements.  The holiday destination of my childhood, it's always great to return with memories of hill climbs with my late dad, and arguments with my sister at the back of the car which always felt like a journey that required an overnight stay. Not that I've grown up much since, the four and half hour drive seems to flash by while I lament the changing perception of time. A week in Wales is never exclusively about birding but it's hard to ignore what this part of the UK offers - a range of rare breeders against a mountainous backdrop resting against a foreground of lush mature woodland. Conwy was our base for the week, a really impressive town with an eclectic mix of locals gave the place an interesting vibe and provided plenty of amusing moments.  The castle lies imperious on the edge of town, and the quay is great place to sit and watch the this small corner of the world pass by.  A day...

It took a mega to get me down to the magnificent Ham Wall RSPB reserve.  Let's start off with the river warbler - my goodness what a bird.  I'd seen a few of these in Poland but not like this.  Sitting up on the reeds in view of the assembled mass of birders (and twitchers) was wholly uncharacteristic to what I've experienced in the past.  Photos just don't do it justice, the jangle of sounds this species is able to emit is quite astounding and at volume - it could be heard from hundreds of metres away.  I was blown away. It was also nice to get away and explore a bit of the reserve - away from the crowds - it's about nature and not people. A wander round produced some great local birds - displaying marsh harrier , two  cuckoo , two flyby bittern , great egret , and warblers everywhere.  Wouldn't mind all this on my doorstep.