Wow, there's just so much happening at Minsmere - and we haven't even got to May yet!
After yesterday's stone-curlew was spotted from the approach road, another was located on the Konik Field, where it showed well all afternoon. Although they are waders, stone-curlews are rarely seen near water, so this was particularly notable location.
Other notable waders yesterday included six wood sandpipers flying north (an excellent count), two greenshanks and two spotted redshanks. A drake garganey was on the Levels, and five late brent geese dropped in.
It was good day for passage migrants. No fewer than three red kites flew through during the day, and a buzzard was spotted. Wheatears were widespread - at least nine on the reserve. Two black terns, single white and yellow wagtails and a female redstart in the dunes near East Hide were also noteworthy.
Garden warbler numbers have increased in recent days, with at least nine around the reserve. A cuckoo was heard again on the Levels, and a lesser whitethroat in North Bushes. A grasshopper warbler continues to sing along the North Wall.
Another bird with a reeling song similar to a grasshopper warbler is the much rarer Savi's warbler. One was heard between West and South Hides at 7 am this morning, and for a little while afterwards, and may still be in the area, but they are easiest to hear early and late in the day.
Among our popular regular species, bitterns continue to show from Bittern and Island Mere Hides, hobbies dart above the reedbeds, marsh harriers are doing regular food passes, sand martins are busy around the colony, and the nightingale near the car park entrance was feeding in the open this morning. Finally, a nuthatch was on the feeders outside the tearoom yesterday.
On the insect front, the first small coppers were noted around the stone-curlew viewpoint yesterday.
With the Bank Holiday weather forecast for cooler, wetter weather, i hope spring migrants will continue to arrive to be enjoyed by our many visitors.