It's not every day that a report of a rare bird at Minsmere leads to everyone rushing outside to catch a glimpse. But then, it's not every day that an eagle flies over, either.
Yes, you did read that correctly! We saw an eagle at Minsmere on Wednesday! A White-tailed Eagle. AKA Sea Eagle.
Until a few years ago, reports of White-tailed Eagles were real red-letter days anywhere in England. Then, we typically saw one at Minsmere about once every five years, usually in March or April. These were generally assumed to be Scandinavian birds that had wintered somewhere further south and were trying to get back to Norway, Sweden or the Baltic States without crossing the North Sea, because large water bodies pose an obstacle for birds that rely on catching rising thermals to soar, rather having to flap their large wings.
More recently, sightings have increased considerably. This may partly reflect the increasing populations breeding in the Netherlands and Germany, but is more likely to be the result of young birds wandering widely from the population that is being reintroduced to the Isle of Wight. In fact, one pair from this population has already nested in Sussex, and sightings are regular around Dorset and Hampshire.
As many of these reintroduced birds are fitted with satellite transmitters, it's easy to monitor their movements. Therefore, thanks to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, we know that the White-tailed Eagle that circled low over the reserve on Wednesday was G819, a female that was released onto the Isle of Wight in 2021. Since then, she has travelled widely, being reported recently in Exmoor, Devon, before the first of several sightings along the Suffolk coast last weekend. It was perhaps inevitable that she would appear at Minsmere as she continued her journey north, and there were many excited staff, volunteers and visitors who managed to spot this majestic bird.
This is a photo I took of a different White-tailed Eagle low over the Visitor Centre a few years ago.
White-tailed Eagles are truly impressive birds. Their wingspan stretches to more than two metres (about 7 feet) - longer than any other British bird. The wings are very broad too, leading to many birdwatchers referring to them as flying barn doors. We had a good indication of their size when she was eventually shepherded away by a territorial Common Buzzard, which was completely dwarfed!
Although often known as Sea Eagles, White-tailed Eagles are equally at home around inland areas, especially where there is a good mix of woodland and wetland. They will eat a variety of food, including fish, seabirds, water birds, mammals, and particularly carrion. As big birds, they regularly fly huge distances, often soaring at great height, so can "disappear" for several days between sightings. Whether G819 comes back to Minsmere later this spring remains to be seen, but for those of who saw her on Wednesday, it was a very memorable day.
Of course, the eagle was not the only exciting bird seen this week, with another huge, long-wing bird proving equally popular to those lucky enough to see it. Or rather them, as the two Common Cranes continue to lurk around the reedbed, but in occasional flights above the reedbed to reveal their presence, or bugling loudly as they maintain their pair bond.
Common Cranes from Island Mere earlier this week. Photo by David Naylor
White-tailed Eagles and Common Cranes have both benefited greatly from conservation efforts, including reintroduction programmes, as have other increasingly regular visitors. Red Kites are now seen regularly at Minsmere, which would have been unthinkable 30 years ago when reintroductions started. Ravens have spread entirely naturally and are also starting to be seen more often in Suffolk. both species have been seen regularly this week.
Here's a Raven that a photographed recently in the Midlands. I'm yet to photograph one at Minsmere.
Of course, Bitterns, too, have benefitted from conservation and after last year's record numbers it looks like we could be in for another good breeding season, with several males already booming around the reedbed. Some visitors have been able to enjoy excellent views of these superbly camouflaged herons from both Bittern Hide and Island Mere.
Bittern in flight by David Naylor
Our other herons are less well camouflaged, but not necessarily easier to spot. Little Egrets and Grey Herons are often seen feeding around the Scrape, a couple of Great Egrets remain around the reedbed, and two Spoonbills have been making regular brief visits to the Scrape - except when I go to look for them!
Elsewhere around the reedbed, our Marsh Harriers are busy displaying and nest building, Cetti's Warblers are increasingly vocal and Kingfishers are regularly seen from both Bittern Hide and North Wall. Bearded Tits are a bit shy at the moment, but sometimes show well from Island Mere. At least two pairs each of Little and Great Crested Grebes are at Island Mere, while you can hear Little Grebes whinnying from many other reedbed pools. We've also welcomed back the first couple of Sand Martins this week.
I absolutely love this photo of a female Marsh Harrier looking inquisitively at the camera. Photo by David Naylor
The Scrape is starting to look and sound much more like spring than winter, although there are still good numbers of most of the ducks presents. Black-headed Gulls, Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits can be heard squabbling as they display to each other or chase away any rivals that stray too close. Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Lapwings are already displaying and establishing territories too, with the latter giving their wonderful tumbling display flights close to North Hide.
Among the less common visitors to the Scrape this week, I was pleased to find a lovely Jack Snipe this afternoon, which proved to be much showier than usual. Other waders include Dunlins, Turnstones, Ringed Plover and Curlew, while three Grey Plovers were seen today, too. Gulls have included Caspian, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gull. Water Pipits have been seen at both West Scrape and Island Mere.
This Jack Snipe showed well on the Scrape at this time last year, too.
Away from bird news, the Adders are still putting on a good show beneath the Sand Martin bank, Otters have been seen a few times at Bittern Hide, and there have been sightings of Comma, Red Admiral and Brimstone butterflies and a several species of bees when the sun shines.