Bitterns have been the theme of much of social media over the past couple of weeks in anticipation of Jack Baddams' Bittern Quest walks last Sunday. Jack is a BBC Springwatch researcher who had never managed to see a Bittern. After filming a feature for Winterwatch about this glaring gap in his bird list, Jack arranged to host guided walks at four of the best RSPB nature reserves to see Bitterns. He started close to home, in Yorkshire, with walks at RSPB Old Moor and RSPB St Aidan's, without success. He followed that with a walk at RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire. Again, he heard Bitterns, but didn't see one.
Saving the best till last, Jack arrived at Minsmere early on Sunday morning for the first of two walks. Incredibly, despite the best efforts of our volunteer guide, Steve, the Bitterns continued to elude Jack in the morning. Cue his final Bittern Quest walk, on Sunday afternoon. Accompanied by another of our guides, David, the group set off towards Island Mere, and it wasn't long before David spotted a Bittern flying over the reedbed as the group walked down Whin Hill. Two more brief sightings followed from the hide, before David led the group along the North Wall. There, they hit the jackpot, as a Bittern flying languidly overhead, giving everyone superb views. It couldn't possibly have been a better ending to Jack's Bittern Quest.
Bittern in flight by David Naylor
Of course, we always knew that Jack would see a Bittern at Minsmere, as they have been showing well again this spring. Bittern Hide, especially, can be very busy with people looking for Bitterns, though Island Mere is always my preferred option. In fact, I came in very early on Saturday for a Dawn Chorus walk with my family and as we entered Island Mere Hide a Bittern was strolling along the bank of cut reeds adjacent to the hide. Shortly afterwards, this Grey Heron came in to land close to the hide, making it five species of heron in the morning as we'd already seen Little Egret, Great Egret and a dawn flypast by two Spoonbills.
There is something special about being on the reserve as the sun rises. Usually when I've come in early, I've headed to the reedbed hides first, but this time we set off along the North Wall and were rewarded with the magical sight of the sun rising above the sea.
The light was incredible, showing off the plumage of the birds on the Scrape perfectly. We enjoyed some extremely close views of breeding Avocets, Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns, as well as a variety of ducks, geese, gulls and waders. Here you can see the low sun reflecting off the white plumage of Black-headed Gulls and a Shelduck.
The first Avocet chicks of the year were reported on East Scrape early in the week, though sadly they don't look like they survived for long, but no doubt more will be hatching in the next few days. Black-headed Gull chicks are appearing on the islands too, and there are several broods of geese around the Scrape, including Greylag, Canada and Barnacle Geese. The pair of Egyptian Geese are particularly aggressive towards allcomers, as beautifully captured in David Naylor's photo.
The avocets aren't the only wading birds nesting on the Scrape. There are also Lapwings, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers.. There's also been a good variety of wading birds passing through, many in their finest breeding plumage. These have included Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, a brief Temminck's Stint, Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Common Sandpiper. There was also a Glossy Ibis for a couple of days this week.
Despite the chill easterly wind, there have been some excellent views of Stonechats, Whitethroats and Linnets in the dunes, as well as Reed Buntings and Sedge Warblers in the reedbed. Reed Warblers, Cetti's Warblers and Bearded Tits, though, are more likely to be heard than seen.
A particularly bright male Linnet by David Naylor
Apart from Bitterns, Hobbies have been the stars of the show in the reedbed, often perching close to Island Mere between bouts of catching dragonflies. Marsh Harriers, too, are very easy to see, and there have been good numbers of Swifts overhead, joining the Sand Martins in pursuit of smaller insects.
Hobby by David Naylor
Talking of insects, this superb swarm of Honeybees set up residence near Bittern Hide this week. Swarms like this occur when the queen moves to set up a new colony, her pheromones attracting hundreds of workers. The swarm is well away from the path and they will soon move on to find a suitable nest site where they'll continue the next generation. I've often seen bee swarms, but I love the symmetry of this one.
What surprises will the next week bring?