The Brecks: Bitterns, Hobbies, Stone Curlews and a bonus Raven!

Following a leisurely start, Linda and I enjoyed a lovely day out in the Suffolk sunshine with friends Peter and Sue. First stop was Lakenheath Fen, where the lack of water in the 'flash' precluded any Great Egrets or Garganey: we did see lots of Hairy Hawkers, though.

The viewpoint at Joist Fen was much more rewarding, with increasingly close views of Hobbies, lots of Marsh Harriers and Buzzards, several Bearded Tits and the first of three Bitterns. After sandwiches, we walked back to the centre, enjoying a charming Great Crested Grebe and young and a confiding Bittern hunting the reed margins near Fen Hide. Cuckoos were everywhere, if largely invisible: however, we did manage good views of a couple near the screen hide (Where we collected a third Bittern and lots more Hobbies)

Following a late pub lunch in Weeting, we made a brief stop at Weeting Heath for an ice cream and distant, hazy views of a Stone Curlew and - more unexpectedly - a Raven.