I can't seem to stay away from Minsmere lately. Limpy and I found we had a day to ourselves so the destination was something of a foregone conclusion. We saw some lovely birds as well!
There were loads of small birds around the trail through the North Bushes - I snapped everything I could see so I could check what I'd seen later. Imagine my surprise when one of those small birds turned out to be a gorgeous wheatear lesser whitethroat? I've never seen one of these and I'm chuffed to bits!
A youngster in the East Hide identified these wigeon for me. I really must work on my ID skills.
This teal looked very coolly at me.
You'd think that butter wouldn't melt in their mouths but they were scrapping merrily only seconds before I took this snap.
There were lots of pied wagtails about - I love these little birds!
A colourful young shelduck.
I'm going to guess that this is a shoveler in eclipse plumage. I like to live dangerously.
This moorhen looked a shady character....literally.
The preening pool at Island Mere Hide looked rather two-tone.
This mute swan is handsome and he knows it.
I don't often see cormorants sleeping on the perches so this made a nice change from the usual 'flasher' pose.
A marsh harrier obligingly floats within range.
I hope you enjoy these, as always.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
You are getting some lovely photos and species at Minsmere Clare, thanks for sharing them with us. The young Shelduck is very handsome. Looks like we are in for mini heatwave on Tuessday/Wednesday so guess we'll all be out somewhere enjoying the wildlife !!
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Regards, Hazel
Lovely photos as usual Clare.
Just wanted ot correct the ID in the first picture. It's a lesser whitethroat, not a wheatear. Note the greyish plumage and dark eye mask. Wheatears are much paler and brighter and rare seen feeding in bushes like this.
I saw a wheatear in the dunes between the sea and the north scrape last year
They're lovely birds - regular on migration at Minsmere, especially in that area
Unknown said:Just wanted ot correct the ID in the first picture. It's a lesser whitethroat, not a wheatear. Note the greyish plumage and dark eye mask. Wheatears are much paler and brighter and rare seen feeding in bushes like this.
What ever they said in the visitor centre, Ian is right. Wheatears are good, but in my experience, much easier to see than a Lesser Whitethroat!
Good photos Clare, especially like the lapwing, gorgeous shellduck and swan, and of course the marsh harrier is always great to see.
Lot to learn