There's something really magical about autumn, especially when the sun shines, as it has done today. From clear blue morning skies to orange sunsets casting a golden light across the reedbed, the light it ever changing. Today was one of those, and the wildlife seemed to be enjoying it too.
The view from reception on arrival this morning was very inviting.
My colleague, Matt, had already been out and about and was treated to this little beauty around the sand martin bank at 8 am.
Little owls are unusual around the main visitor trails, but some of our much more familiar wildlife put on a great show in the early morning light.
Autumn pheasant and rabbit, both by Matt Parrott
The Scrape looked pretty special this morning too.
Wigeon and konik Polskis both by Matt Parrott
The highlights around the Coast Trail were all on the now infamous "albtross/swamphen pool" behind South Hide. Whilst not as rare as their predecessors, it was nice to see both meadow and water pipits, a couple of water rails and a snipe alongside the teals on this pool. They were joined by two redshanks, two dunlins, a couple of robins and a dunnock, while bearded tits have been regular here too.
Snipe in flight over the reedbed by Matt Parrott
There are some great autumn colours in the woods too, including these beautiful bracken fronds.
Otters and bitterns have been stealing the limelight at Island Mere this week, with regular sightings of both these elusive species as well as several marsh harriers and cormorants and a Bewick's swan or two.
With the starlings having apparently moved on from the Scrape, I headed to Island Mere in the hope of finding them tonight. Whilst we saw about 2500 starlings, they headed straight to roost without any display, and it seems that we are missing 50 000 of their kin. Presumably they have move to another coastal reedbed - possibly around the Alde Estuary where I hear that there was a good display yesterday - if anyone sees a large roost on the Suffolk coast, please let us know.
But, my visit to Island Mere was not in vane - it never is. As well a bittern, Bewick's swan and stonechat, I was treated to flypasts by hundreds of teals and greylag geese and several snipe. It was, however, the constantly changing light that kept the interest, as the following series of photos hopefully shows.
The forecast may not be great for tomorrow, but with many more sunny autumns days to come, why not plan your visit now.