As we move into December thoughts usually turn to planning for Christmas. For birdwatchers it's always a little different. Some will be looking to add one or two more birds to their final year list for this year. Others will be thinking about where to visit in the first few days of January in order to start next year's list off a high. Perhaps they'll even be trying to spot 100 species on New Year's Day.
Luckily for both camps, birds tend to be quite settled at this time of year. Of course they will be some movement, particularly the arrival of more ducks or thrushes from the continent when the temperature drops, but most birds that were present at Minsmere last week will remain well into the New Year.
It therefore came as quite a surprise when one of our regular visitors found a White-rumped Sandpiper on East Scrape this morning. White-rumped Sandpipers breed in the tundra of North America and migrate almost the entire length of the Americas to spend the northern winter around coast of Argentina and southern Chile. Every year, a handful of these tiny waders are blown across the North Atlantic by tropical storms, typically arriving on the west coast of the UK in July and August. There have been several previous sightings, usually of adult birds, at Minsmere in late summer and early autumn, but it is very rare to spot a young bird at Minsmere, and even more unusual to see a White-rumped Sandpiper anywhere in the UK midwinter.
White-rumped Sandpipers are small waders. In winter, they look very similar to Dunlins and could easily be overlooked by inexperienced birdwatchers. One very obvious difference, as the name suggests, is a white rump, but this is only really visible when the bird flies or sits preening. Another key feature is their long wings which extend well beyond the tail, giving them a much more elongated shape than Dunlins. There are more subtle plumage differences too.
Although I popped out and saw the bird this morning it was a bit too far away for a photo, so if you want to see what one looks like click here for the eBird information about White-rumped Sandpiper.
There are several other species of wader to spot on the Scrape today, included a scattered flock of about 15 Dunlins, four Avocets, a few Black-tailed Godwits, the odd Turnstone and a single Redshank. Unusually for this time of year an Oystercatcher was seen earlier in the week too.
Redshank
More typically, the flocks of ducks continue to increase, with Pintails and Shovelers looking particularly stunning in the winter sun, plus good numbers of Mallards, Gadwalls, Teals, Wigeons and Shelducks. A few Goosanders are seen most evenings as they return to roost on the Scrape, while geese should include Greylag, Canada, Barnacle and Egyptian.
The large flocks of gulls on the Scrape have included a few of both Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls, as well as Black-headed, Common, Herring, Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Until the arrival of the sandpiper, the main attractions on the Scrape this week were the pair of Whooper and pair of Bewick's Swans. With a pair of Mute Swans also present, it's usually been possible to get a good comparison of all three swan species. In fact, there have actually been four types of swan at Minsmere this week as a pair of Black Swans has also been spotted around Island Mere. This is an Australian species that is widely kept in captivity so it's not unusual for a few free-flying birds to accompany swan flocks.
Black Swans coming to land. Photo by David Naylor
Apart from bill colour, one thing that distinguishes the two winter swan species form the familiar Mute Swans is their beautiful bugling calls. However, they definitely have competition in the bugling stakes this week in the shape of Common Cranes.
Common Cranes may not be the rare birds that they once were, but we don't tend to see them in the winter, so it was a bit of a surprise when five Cranes arrived this week. The birds, which consist of two pairs and a juvenile bird, can sometimes be seen distantly on the South Levels or beyond Island Mere, but even if you don't see them, you have a very good chance of hearing their wonderfully bugling calls drifting over the reeds.
In fact, Common Cranes have been in the news this week, with some fantastic video footage of Cranes at RSPB Lakenheath Fen featuring on the RSPB's social media accounts.
Common Cranes by David Naylor
Of course, there's plenty to see around the reedbed too. Up to 33 Marsh Harriers regularly come to roost in the evenings, and you may spot a hunting Sparrowhawk or Buzzard too. There have also been sightings of both Red Kite and Hen Harrier this week. The Water Rails, Bearded Tits and Cetti's Warblers are more likely to be heard than seen. Kingfishers are still being seen most days around both the reedbed and Scrape, while I spotted two Otters on Island Mere on Wednesday.
Other mammals seen this week include Water Vole, Stoat, Weasel, Badger and the regular Grey Squirrels, Rabbits, Muntjacs and Red Deer. Elsewhere, highlights have included Firecrest and Siskins around the Rhododendron Tunnel, Stonechat and Meadow Pipits in the dunes, Nuthatch, Marsh and Coal Tits on the feeders, Bullfinches in North Bushes and a single Snow Bunting on the beach.
Firecrest by Steve Everett
Finally, to return to the start, did you know that Father Christmas has managed to find a few hours in his busy schedule to visit Minsmere on Sunday 15 December? If the younger members of your family would like to meet him, you can book your time via our website by clicking here.