Hobbies, an Ibis and Tree Pipit: a great day out in the Brecks!

Peter and Sue, our friends next door, have been keen to catch up with the pre-dispersal gathering of Hobbies at Lakenheath Fen, so (following a somewhat late start!) we headed south down the A11.

First stop was Weeting Heath, where we managed to get to the Stone Curlew hide just before the arrival of an RSPB coach trip: we needn't have bothered - the birds were either absent or hunkered down in the long grass. We quickly moved on to Lakenheath, where another coach party had just arrived! However, this is a very large reserve with plenty of room for everyone and we had an absolutely terrific couple of hours: Glossy Ibis was good to see, albeit somewhat distantly, while Great White Egret, Buzzard and Bittern were welcome additions to the day list.

Lots of odonata had been brought out by the sunshine: Hairy Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Large Red and Variable Damselflies were all great to see.

Stars of the show, though, were the 60+ Hobbies that wheeled over the reedbeds and river - small groups occasionally detached themselves and gave us close fly-bys.

Last stop was Mayday Farm, where a long walk eventually produced excellent views of a singing Tree Pipit. Home by five for a wine-lubricated evening under the new patio heaters: and guess what flew over, chasing Swifts? A Hobby! 😃