Minsmere: Smew and Green-winged Teal!

With nothing new in Norfolk, Brian, Norman and I headed south to Minsmere for a change. The walk round to the East Hide gave us close views of several pairs of Stonechats, as well as Gannets offshore. A long search from the hide eventually turned up the long-staying Green-winged Teal lurking very distantly among the reeds: Avocets, Pintails and both Godwits were the best of the rest. (The first GWT pic is Brian's!)

The remainder of our circuit produced a family group of Whooper Swans, but little else, so we had coffee and prepared to move on. However, Matt at reception mentioned that a red-head Smew was currently viewable from South Hide, so we trudged round for a look. Brian - again - was the hero, picking out this pretty little sawbill among a flock of Shovelers.

We made our way home via Hardley Staithe: no owls here, but we did see a Barn Owl, two Red Kites and a Buzzard as we passed through Claxton and Surlingham.