RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk

Juvenile Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Tuesday 26 August

Three days in Suffolk staying at a beautiful little cottage in the ancient village of Wissett, with its early Norman church, so a great reason to visit RSPB Minsmere with our Canadian friends, Ron and Eileen Orenstein. Indeed, sitting at the breakfast table we looked out to see  Green Woodpecker on the far fence and a Wren on the nearer fence.  An opportunity, even at a distance, but photographing through glass is always going to present a challenge, especially with the birds likely to take off before even fetching a camera - as can be seen!

Very distant Green Woodpecker Picus viridis through the window

Then it was off to Minsmere, about thirty minutes away, and arriving just after 10am and noting both Magpie and Blackbird as we entered the car park.  Lots of waders seen the previous day, Bank Holiday Monday, but whilst the weather was still warm with much blue sky, albeit gradually clouding over during our almost four hour stay, a strong breeze had picked up and with most of the shallow areas now almost with out water very few birds on show.  But we still finally managed to see a total of 47 species.  Straight to the North Hide which produced very distant Mallards.  Moving in a clockwise circuit on the long trail towards the East Hide we came across a group of young Pheasant on a side track and then a resting Mute Swan.

South Hide at Minsmere

Approaching South Hide a Kestrel overhead and once inside time to check the bird life, albeit still further way than we have preferred.  Lots of Mallard plus a few Shelduck and at least a couple of Shoveler.  Two Moorhen off to the right and a score or more Avocets ahead of us. A couple of distant Greylag and a single Egyptian Goose along with mainly Black-headed but also a Herring Gull. As might be expected, always a Carrion Crow somewhere.  Checking the far back alongside the reeded edge we managed to find three Green Sandpipers.  At this point Jenny and Eileen carried on and made their way back towards the Visitors Centre.

Juvenile Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Moving on to the South Hide we had a few closer birds starting with Mallards but also a couple of Gadwall.  To our left a moulting male Teal and then off to the far right a Whimbrel.  A Redshank was found a little further away and a Heron at the far right with a lone Little Egret not so far away to its left but the bird of interest was the juvenile Ruff immediately in front of us but a good distance away until it decided to wander a little nearer.  Just as we were about to leave we noted the small wader to our left which then crossed the island towards the Ruff revealing itself to be a Common Sandpiper.  On to the final hide, Wildlife Lookout, on this loop and, again, very little to see other than a few more Mallards but, away in the dry grass to our left a solitary Canada Goose.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

But, first, meeting the trail to the shorter loop through the woods we made a diversion to visit both the Bittern and Island Hides.  The Bittern Hide certainly made the day worthwhile as it sat high above the vast reed bed in a tower.  We had hardly settled in when a male Marsh Harrier drifted past the front followed by a Cormorant moving in the opposite direction. Patience finally paid off when a Hobby flew in and over the reeds to our right, settle somewhere below and then returned a little later over the reeds.  meanwhile a Buzzard was noted over the tall trees to our right and then a Little Grebe in a small open stretch of water immediately below us. I then found a Great White Egret on our extreme left as it landed in the reeds but was always just about visible.  We had decided to wait another often minutes in the hope that a Bittern might show and within two minutes a Bittern lifted out of the reeds on the right and flew very low over the vegetation and disappeared somewhere behind the hide.  But we had seen one of our three target birds, the other being the Hobby and the Spotted Redshank which did not show today.

Island Mere Hide with its Cormorants Phalocrocorax carbo

Finally, we moved on to the Island Hide which I expected to have some sort of shore feeding area but turned out to be completely fringed by the vast reed bed, but full of water and a dozen resting Cormorants on the posts in the water.  A handful of Coot were noted and then a Great White Egret flew across and disappeared from vie behind the reeds.  A Great Crested Grebe appeared on the far side amongst the Cormorants and even a resting Heron until, as we were about to leave, a very quick view of a Cetti's Warbler as it moved across the reeds and Ron caught a glimpse of the hiding Bittern below us.

Great White Egret Ardea alba

Next it was the walk back to the Visitors Centre where, upon leaving the Bittern Hide we immediately came across both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.  It was upon rejoining the original loop that we also came across both Green Woodpecker and Long-tailed Tit. Then, at the Visitors Centre and watching the feeders we managed to observe Marsh, Coal, Blue and Great Tits along with Robin, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.  Despite the lack of water in the scrapes, a most enjoyable four hours.  And to cap it off as we made brief stop in Southwold and walked the pier, a Barn Swallow flew overhead and the a score of resting Turnstones on a cabin roof.

Turnstones Arenaria interpress

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

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Wren Troglodytes troglodytes seen through the window

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Warsash and Solent Shores

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Saturday 23 August

Out along the Warsash shore with Ron Orenstein and down to the Split before carrying on along the Solent shore to the Meandering Pool and back before high tide.  But with high water rapidly moving over the flats it was, perhaps, important to move quicker than normal to check the beaches before encountering a high tide upon the return journey.  So, once at the harbour and start of the shore walk both a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls along with the first of the Black-tailed Godwits.

As we moved along to Strawberry Fields we picked up more Black-tailed Godwits along with a good number of Redshank and a quartet of Turnstone.  way towards the pier we could see many Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls plus the foist of 17 Little Egrets to be seen during the morning. But only a couple of Oystercatchers.  Behind us both Robin and Woodpigeon then a pair of Carrion Crows.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Once at the pier, on the north side a Greenshank, Curlew and Whimbrel whilst the southern side held the main flock of Black-tailed Godwits along with another Curlew, couple of Herons and more Oystercatchers. Also present eight Mallards on the sea edge.  A Magpie was seen on the ;awn of the new extra large house behind us.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Checking the resting Black-headed Gulls we also found at two Common Tern. At least a dozen Ringed Plover and then the arrival of a small flock of Starlings to join the foraging birds whilst further out a Cormorant flew upstream.

At the Spit we stopped to see a couple of feeding Sandwich Terns and looking on the still exposed gravel beach scores of Oystercatchers.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Once at the Scrape time to check what was still present and included 40 Avocets, a juvenile Shelduck and at least two score Black-tailed Godwits.  A single Moorhen paddled across the water and at the back two more Common Terns plus a handful of Mallard.  Up above a hovering Kestrel and then time to move on towards the Meandering Pool.  The stretch between both waters produced a couple of Wheatear and then, once at the gorse area, not only more Stonechats and Linnets but also a Dartford Warbler.  Observing both Linnets and Stonechats we also discovered a handful of Common Whitethroat and so on to the Meandering Pool itself which produced a second Greenshank.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Making our return journey we found a single Great Crested Grebe on the water north of the pier whilst on the top of the scrape in the grass a couple of resting Heron accompanied by no less then 14 Little Egrets. Even a Barn Swallow over head to complete the birding with our thirty-fourth sighting.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina (above) and Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel. Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Juvenile Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Mainly Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa with Little Egret Egretta garzetta (far right)

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Lower Hamble River, Warsash

Thursday 21 August 

Canadian birding friends Ron and Eileen Orenstein arrived very early this morning so mid-afternoon saw Ron and I taking a walk up the Hamble River to the high bridge and back.  The tide approaching its lowest level so most birds a far distance away but still plenty to be seen on a somewhat cloudy afternoon and a little cooler then past days.  A couple of Woodpigeon as we approached the river that a number of Back-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and a trio of Turnstone on the mud near the ferry pier.  Also present both Herring and Black-headed Gulls and the first of seven Little Egrets seen during the next couple of hours.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Making our way up river a continuous supply of Black-tailed Godwits and regular Redshank appearances. At the turn to the narrow track over the meadow to the trees a lone Lesser black-backed Gull and right at the back of the meadow almost in the tall grasses a Common Sandpiper.  Taking chance to study the now wide green area without water coverage, not only more Black-tailed Godwits but a small number of Ringed Plover.  A Moorhen ran for cover and a couple of Lapwing put in and appearance.  Then we found the newly arrived Grey Plover.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

Turning towards the shore, we managed to find a couple of Carrion Crows and more Ringed Plovers. A little surprised to find a singe Dunlin and a Cormorant flew up river.  Back over a field on the opposite side a large mixed flock of Barn Swallows and mainly Sand Martins busy feeding over the dried grass.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

At the conservation area a couple of Mallards flew in to join the many Black-headed Gulls.  A flash of white as a Greenshank took off and later returned to the same area where we found a second bird.  Near the wreck, a wandering Heron and a Woodpigeon was joined by a couple of Rock Doves.

Heron Ardea cinerea

The walk up the high bridge revealed nothing new and many more Black-tailed Godwits so the long walk back home.  Half-way back and we came across a Pied Wagtail and a sunbathing Cormorant on the shore.  Finally, we found the only Curlew of the afternoon.  We also came across a single Mute Swan on the final inlet to give a total of 26 species.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax garbo

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herrin Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

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Workmans Lane, Warsash then and along shore back to Warsash

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Tuesday 19 August

Only "quiet" day of the week so up to the top of Workmans Lane to walk down to Solent shore, via a diversion across the horse field, and then back to Warsash and home (Jenny take me back to collect the car later).  broken cloud and a light to variable breeze but still pleasantly warm. parking the car, I noticed a birder just arriving from the lane below who was new to the area so he was pleased to accompany him back and through the horse filed as he had missed the entrance.  So, off we set with a couple of passing Woodpigeons and Blue Tits foraging about in the open trees to our left.  My acquaintance mentioned he had seen a few very distant Yellow Wagtails amongst the small herd of cows as he walked southwards along the coast and in a few minutes I was able to show him the field in question on the right of the lane, opposite the horse field. And, yes, we did find a trio of the birds along with a couple of Pied Wagtails.

Juvenile Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

A few of the Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica

Also a trio of House Martins Delichon urbicum

Arriving at the track leading into the horse fields we spent some time watching the fifty or more Barn Swallows, mainly juveniles, and a few House Martins that were feeding and tree resting almost opposite the entrance.  At this point, also, the sun broke through and the temperature started to rapidly rise.  A few Carrion Crows on the filed to the left but the horses well over half-way across the field from the track and no sign of any Yellow Wagtails.  However, we started to see small groups of Linnets and then a single Rook flew past.

Strange to see eight fellow birders already on site near the Donkey Paddock and it turned out a single Wryneck had been seen at the start of the day but those present were still waiting their opportunity.  A single Stonechat on the bushes but no sign of the four Whinchat that had been on the brambles a little earlier. A couple of Magpies beyond the horses and then a small flock of Starlings and more Linnets.

Linnets Carduelis cannabina

Continuing on to the end and round the corner to check the hidden pond I found a pair of Egyptian Geese, one a juvenile, so, presumably, the rest of the family were below the bank out of sight.  making my way back to the road I stopped near the exit and was lucky enough to see the bird movement as at least seventeen Yellow and three Pied Wagtails accompanied by a dozen or so Starlings suddenly lifted slightly from the ground feeding area about fifty yards in as they moved to fresh pastures with ten yards and, once again, disappeared from sight. The cows had moved south to the adjoining field and close enough for me to pick out and other trio of Yellow Wagtails and chance for a difficult photo of an individual on the fence wire and slightly obscured by grasses.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Then, having returned to the car to retrieve a cap, I continued on down the lane and path to the shore but not before also recording Robin, Dunnock and Collared Dove.  One at the shore, to coincide with the rapidly falling tide following the second high tide at 11.30, a good number of Herring Gulls and around fifty Oystercatchers.  Also off shore on the island about to be fully exposed more of the same but also a single Great Black-backed Gull. But on the wall stretching down to the sea a single Oystercatcher and a pair of juvenile Carrion Crows with their parent on the beach below.

Juvenile Carrion Crows Corvus corone

Approaching Chilling Head with more Oystercatchers and a good number of Black-headed Gulls on the beach, I stopped as a small warbler dashed out of the brambles ahead and over the top to the southern side and I was able to confirm a Lesser Whitethroat.  Then it was on towards the Meandering Pool which produced no birds and entering the path alongside the fence to the gorse area a Whitethroat on the first bush followed by the regular appearance of more small groups of Linnets.  But then, on the path immediately in front, a beautiful Wheatear which kindly hopped up onto the fence the posts for better views!

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Arriving at the Scrape few birds than expected, especially on the long wooden island at the back.  A few Mallards and a score or more Black-tailed Godwits but no geese on this occasion.  The island to my front right held a pair of Avocet, a single Common Tern and a score of Mallard.  On the water behind in front of the reeds a pair of dabbling Gadwall.  Two more Common Terns were found moving around the water but nothing else with the islands to the left now ell covered in high grass.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Very distant Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

The final walk back to Warsash via the Spit produced a trio of House Sparrows, and, in total, about 25 Redshank and 40 plus Black-tailed Godwits.  Just the single Cormorant resting at the end of the Spit but plenty of Black-headed and a few more Herring Gulls.  Approaching the navigation pier a Wren on my right and then, once past the pier, I found a trio of foraging Turnstone.  Finally, just beyond the Turnstones at the water's edge a couple of resting Sandwich Terns.  A lovely, but tiring, walk of over six kilometres taking just under three hours.

Birds seen:

Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Common Tern Sterna hirundo with Mallards Anas platyrhynchos

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Oystercatchers and Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca

More Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica

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