randombirder

I was itching to head out somewhere and by midday, I was still at home trying to work out the options.  Checking birdguides for one final time, a Blyth's Reed Warbler had been found in Southwold, Suffolk.  It hardly took a moment to get myself on the road. It was a showery day, cool and cloudy, nothing remotely resembling June. There was a small gathering but the viewing area was limited and therefore social distancing was well and truly out of the window.  Managing to just hang back, I was fortunate with a little guidance from David Bradnum to see the bird well through a gap singing heartily within the short reed.  Fortuitous as the bird promptly disappeared for a long period thereafter. Showers were passing through but with a few hours to spare, I headed over to the tracks surrounding Minsmere RSPB reserve.  Parking up, I walked over to Dunwich Heath. I was alone for over an hour and it was bliss.  The views over the cliff face and the re...

Another trip to Thursley Common because it is such a great place to visit.  The morning started off quite fresh but it didn't take too long for the temperature to rise.   The main draw today was the male Red-backed Shrike having presumably drifted across from the continent on the run of easterlies that have been a feature over the past few days.  It was always distant as the photo below testifies, but these birds are a joy to observe which after a sluggish start, became more active, flying low between vantage points, successfully predating an unfortunate beetle. There was a lot of activity today, at least six Common Redstart seen.  This male was briefly in song. A couple of juvenile birds were noted along the Heathland Trail. The rich cascading melody of a  Woodlark provided the perfect soundtrack to the heathland backdrop. I'd never seen so many Dartford Warbler .  Around a dozen at least, a lot of vocalising, a f...

An early start to make the most of a gorgeous day, not as radiant as the previous day but the east fared well as the weather rolled in from the west.  The morning was crisp, and clear. The first stop was Eastbridge where the Glossy Ibis was feeding along the edges of the flooded marsh.  It was then spooked by a passing Marsh Harrier , it's iridescence shimmering against the morning sun as it flew round and then dropped down again.   A group of Curlew were present there as were a few flighty Common Snipe . I was really looking forward to visiting Minsmere again.  It's such a fabulous reserve with so much to offer all year round. Heading along the path toward Island Mere hide, common birds were now vocalising salutations for the onset of Spring within the woodland.  There is a while to go but today in the sun, the signs were promising. This Robin was really confiding. There were plenty of Siskin and a few Redpoll seen fro...