We've all been there, and got the T-shirt. A long journey with kids is almost guaranteed to include the words "Are we there yet?" In many cases these might be repeated many times, and perhaps by the adults as well as the children.
At least we are usually able to provide an answer, as even if stuck in traffic we should know roughly how far these is to go, and these days the Sat Nav is likely to give a pretty accurate estimated time of arrival. We also have the option of stopping to refuel at a service station, or snacking on sweets, crisps or healthier options that we're packed in preparation for the journey.
Life is far less easy, or predictable, for our migrant wildlife as they embark on their annual migration. They don't have the luxury of a Sat Nav, though their in-built computer is often even more accurate. How else can a swallow fly to South Africa and back and manage to return to exactly the same nest in which it was born? For those making long sea crossings there are no opportunities to stop for a rest or food either.
As a result, when birds finally make landfall following these sea crossings they often arrive so tired and hungry that they seek the first opportunity to rest, refuel and recover before continuing their journey. For many of the tiniest birds, they may not even make it, as they literally fall exhausted into the sea and certain death.
With a band of cold weather sweeping across Europe on strong northeasterly winds, many birds have taken the opportunity to complete the crossing of the North Sea with the assistance of a tail wind, arriving tired and hungry on our beaches or in coastal scrub.
You may have read in the newspapers or seen in the news that the earliest ever Bewick's swans have already returned to WWT Slimbridge on the Severn Estuary. They were also reported at RSPB Burton Marsh on the Dee Estuary this week, so we can expect them at Minsmere within the next few weeks too. Bewick's swans are strong fliers, but that's not the case for all our migrants.
The last couple of days have seen large flocks of goldcrests arriving at Minsmere, with some birds so exhausted that they've been dropping at people's feet along the dunes. Others have stopped to feed int he bushes by East Hide, while smaller flocks can be spotted anywhere around the reserve. Several flocks of siskins were seen on Monday, with upto 750 counted passing over the reserve.
Goldcrest by Jon Evans
Not all migrants have arrived in such numbers, but there have still been some notable sightings. A brambling was first noted on the feeders outside the visitor centre on Sunday, and was joined by a second bird today. The cold weather has brought several other bramblings onto the reserve too. One flew up from my feet at the end of the North Wall this afternoon, landing briefly on the beach before flying into the reedbed. Hopefully it continued its journey after a short rest. Another was just outside the office too.
Male brambling by Jon Evans
An obliging Lapland bunting spent Monday in the dunes between the North Wall and East Hide, and the first redwings have finally begun to arrive too.
With birds on the move, there have been some notable sightings offshore too. Large flocks of brent geese moved south on Saturday and Sunday, while a long-tailed duck and great northern diver were both unusual reports yesterday.
Despite the arrival of so many winter visitors, a couple of swallows were feeding around the pond today, and hobbies have been seen daily until at least yesterday. There are even still some migrant hawker dragonflies on the wing.
Elsewhere, the starling roost in North Marsh is growing in size and putting on a great display at dusk; marsh harriers, bitterns, otters and bearded tits continue to be seen at Island Mere; six avocets remain on the Scrape, and other waders include the odd dunlin, spotted redshank and turnstone as well as a few lapwings, black-tailed godwits and snipe.
Meanwhile, our wardens and volunteers have been busy cutting the reeds in front of Island Mere this week, and we hope that our Young Wardens Group will be able to rake and burn these reeds on Saturday morning. This will greatly improve wildlife watching opportunities. We plan to cut at Bittern Hide within the next two weeks too. We also have a digger working on West Scrape to turn over islands and improve the habitat for nesting avocets next spring, though as water levels are low on West Scrape the ducks are waders are mostly using East Scrape anyway, so they aren't disturbed by this work.
Finally, two events that might be of interest this weekend are our latest binocular and telescope open weekend, and a UK Fungi Day event in the Discovery Centre on Saturday. We'd love to see you there.
Fly agaric among beech leaves by Ian Barthorpe - one of the fungi to look out for at Minsmere this month