Some of the most famous singers in the world have been referred to as crooners. Think Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole or Marty Wilde. The term may not be in such common usage these days - I can't see it being used for Ed Sheeran, for example - but it is an apt word for a bird that has what might be the described as the best songster in the UK: the Nightingale.
Nightingales are summer migrants, spending the winter in Africa before returning to our shores in mid April. As their name suggests, they often sing throughout the night, but are equally likely to be heard by day, with their rich melodic and highly variable song filling the airwaves of woodlands and scrub of southeast England for the next six weeks or so.
The population size and distribution of Nightingales has, sadly, been going down in the UK for many years, due to a combination of woodland loss, less coppicing of woodlands, increasing deer browsing and the effects of climate change, with their strongholds now restricted to East Anglia, Kent and Sussex. We're lucky, here at Minsmere, to still have several pairs returning to breed every year. In recent years, most of these have been around the heathlands at the northern edge of the reserve, but this week our visitors have been treated to their wonderful song on arrival in the car park. At least one Nightingale is singing there, with others in the North Bushes and even close to the toilets.
Whilst they are incredible songsters, Nightingales can be frustratingly difficult to see as they hide among the denser vegetation. Luckily, with fewer leaves on the trees, they can be a bit easier to see when they first return, and I was treated to excellent views of the one at the car park entrance on Wednesday morning, though I didn't have my camera so here's one from several years ago.
Nightingale by Ian Barthorpe
Nightingales are certainly not the only songbirds that have returned from Africa to breed at Minsmere. Blackcaps are now widespread with the woods, and several Sedge Warblers are singing from within the reedbeds, while the first Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler have also been heard already.
There was another bird seen last weekend that could also be described as a crooner, though only when the males are displaying. Drake Eiders have a wonderful courtship call, often likened to the legendary Kenneth Williams saying "ooo-er" in a Carry On film. Eiders are scarce birds on the Suffolk coast, almost exclusively being seen offshore, so it was a real surprise when an immaculate drake was discovered on East Scrape. It showed very well for visitors that day, before moving a few miles north to the river mouth at Walberswick.
Eider by Les Cater
The Eider is just one of the many mainly black-and-white birds on the Scrape, with several Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls among the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and Avocets. Other birds present on the Scrape this week include 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, several Redshanks, Lapwings and Oystercatchers, plus Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a variety of ducks.
Most visitors have been able to hear Bitterns this week, with at least 17 males now booming around the reedbed. There have also been regular sightings in flight, or feeding in front of Bittern Hide, where one of our volunteers was fortunate enough to watch a pair of Bitterns mating.
A displaying pair of Bitterns, with the male (on the left) showing its blue bill base. Photo by Les Cater
Elsewhere within the reedbed there are several pairs of Marsh Harriers nesting, giving great views from Bittern Hide and Island Mere; at least two Great Egrets and two Common Cranes that may be spotted in flight; Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little and Great Crested Grebes at Island Mere; Bearded Tits on North Wall and at Island Mere; Cetti's Warblers singing everywhere; and Sand Martins feeding overhead. We've also had sightings of both Swallow and House Martin this week.
Other more unusual birds that have been seen this week include Redstart and Stone-curlew from the start of the North Wall today, Red Kites daily, and a Spoonbill on the Scrape on Tuesday. Butterfly variety is also increasing, with sightings this week including Brimstone, Orange Tip, Large White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Comma and Speckled Wood. We expect the first damselflies to start emerging soon, and the Antlion larvae are increasingly active. Some visitors also enjoyed great views of a Great Prominent moth near the visitor centre on Wednesday, while the Adders continue to show well near the pond.