I picked the right day to arrive early for my afternoon Reception shift yesterday - I had a few hours to have a good look at the Scrape in the beautiful weather. My first sighting, though, wasn't feathered:
A wasp spider! Always nice to see.
A nice pair of shelducks.
This black-tailed godwit was still sporting its lovely breeding colouring.
The sheen of the lapwing really stood out amongst the avocets.
Caught in mid-sunbathe.
There were a serious number of pied wagtails about.
The dunlins on one of their panicked flyabouts.
They pile in for a mass paddle.
This ruff has such beautiful markings. I've yet to see one in its full breeding glory.
A lesser black-backed gull flies over.
Avocets are such elegant birds.
Even when they stop to give you a look!
Lapwing landing. What gorgeous wings!
I wish this curlew had come closer!
I'd run if I had that beak behind me!
Two very contrasting ducks head off for a swim.
A spotted redshank. I didn't manage to get the one still in breeding plumage.
A lovely young stonechat. Thanks for the ID help, Monkeycheese and Paul!
NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I hate having my photo taken!
I love seeing peacock butterflies. Not least because I can ID them!
What an impressive caterpillar. Apparently it's a large white. Or it will be!
A young chaffinch.
Finishing with Phil in diva mood!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Excellent photo's. Was it very busy at Minsmere today?
Regards,
Ian.
I don't know, as I wasn't there. It certainly should have been as the weather was nice again today.
EDIT: I didn't make it clear that I got these yesterday! Sorry about that. I'd better tweak the post.
I was there on Saturday - I'd describe it as steady rather than busy. I didn't have a problem getting a seat at lunchtime anyway :-)
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Nice to see Minsmere again Clare, like the Avocet and Lapwing, never have seen a Wasp Spider before, pretty remarkable.
Lot to learn