Bluethroat, Firecrest, Black Redstart and Dartford: full house in Suffolk!

Linda, Sue, Peter and I decided to take advantage of the unexpectedly good weather to drive down to Landguard. I must admit, I was unusually pessimistic about our chances of connecting with any of the reported 'goodies', but within minutes of arriving Peter found the first of two Bluethroats: a somewhat drab and unringed individual that refused to pose for a photo! A move along towards the Fort produced spectacular views of two gorgeous little Firecrests feeding close by the seawall in the sunshine.

After coffee we decided on a last walk around the dunes and immediately found ourselves enjoying fabulous views of a second Bluethroat. Loosely associating with a female Black Redstart, this was a much brighter, ringed individual.

We drove north for lunch at Minsmere, pausing at Eastbridge, where there was no sign of the Glossy Ibis - nor the water it was wading in when I last saw it!

Last stop was Dunwich Heath: by now the sky had clouded over and I had to wind up the ISO to 1600 - I really didn't think we stood a chance of a Dartford. Nevertheless, Sue picked one out just as we'd given up: obligingly it came really close and posed beautifully for us. Last good bird was a dapper little tiercel Peregrine that charged across the Heath a couple of times.