I visited yesterday 21 July on a day trip from London to see my son who was staying in the neighbourhood. I have visted twice before, once in 2008 and once in 2009. I find the site a delight - no feeling of being on a formal reserve, simply a walk in glorious Suffolk countryside with the bonus for birders of estuarine habitat. I did not I'm afraid make a scientific count and the following is not exhaustive but, on arrival, immediately heard reed bunting calling, a snatch of reed warbler song and saw near the pool ("flash"?) on the left a pair of linnet. On getting closer I was greeted with the superb sight of 30-40 black tailed godwit, males naturally resplendant in summer plumage, 4 avocet (I thought I detected a juvenile but wasn't looking for any as unfortunately hadn't then read Kieran's blog of 1 July), oyster catcher of course, lapwing, several redshank (a group of which was flying round the site apparently unwilling to land), greylag and many b-headed gull. Eventually on to the river bank, meadow pipit of course and, on walking a little way south-west, several curlew, 2 -3 little egret, a solitary dunlin, skylark singing much of time. In distance on Orford Ness all the "big" gulls. All of this in the space of less than an hour and I have probably left some sightings out. I just love this place and wish I could visit more. Thank you RSPB for its creation and maintenance.
So glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting Boyton. it is always very heartening to hear positive things about our work.
I hope you get to visit the reserve again soon.
Kind regards
Aaron, Site Manager