Minsmere reprise!

Linda & I are extremely fortunate in having two delightful friends and neighbours, Sue & Peter, who share many of our interests and enthusiasms. So, although I'd visited Minsmere and Dunwich on Thursday, I didn't hesitate when they suggested a return a day later!

We drove straight to the reserve (via the curious Reedham  chain  Ferry) arriving well ahead of the holiday crowds. Newly-arrived migrants had trickled in: Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Swallows and Sand Martins being the most abundant.

The walk to Island Mere and back provided good views of the two large Woodpeckers, Treecreepers and adders, this time including a whopping female! No Bitterns emerged from the reeds today, but they were booming all over the reserve. No Bean Geese, either, but Bearded Tits put in brief appearances a couple of times.

The scrapes held flocks of gorgeous brick-red Black-tailed Godwits as well as lots of the commoner waders and Little Egrets, while we got some terrific views of Linnets and Stonechats along the beach.

Last stop on the coast was Dunwich Heath: more Dartfords (always distant) as well as a couple of displaying Woodlarks were nice to see.

On the way home (before an excellent supper at the Reedham Ferry Inn) we paused briefly at Wrentham, where the Black Kite flashed overhead before, apparently, going to roost in this curious nest!