Minsmere's pioneering warden, Bert Axell, famous said that were only three seasons in nature: winter, spring and autumn. Despite the gorgeous sunny weather this week, bringing us a welcome feeling that summer is finally here, I tend to agree with Bert when it comes to birding. No sooner had the last northbound migrants passed through in mid June, the first southbound birds were already returning to our shores.
In fact, a quick look at West Scrape this week has given more than just a hint of autumn, with a good variety of waders returning from breeding grounds further north. These have included 15 Spotted Redshanks, five Green Sandpipers, two Wood Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, seven Little Ringed Plovers, three Greenshanks, three Ruff and two Knot. Numbers of Teal, Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets have increased considerably too, with counts of 308 Avocets and 208 Black-tailed Godwits on West Scrape alone this morning. A further hint of autumn is the increasingly ragged plumage of many our ducks as they acquire their drab eclipse plumage prior to growing their shiny new feathers back.
Spotted Redshank in full breeding plumage, showing its lovely black feathers and silvery-spotted upperparts
Whilst the waders may hint at autumn, East and South Scrapes have a more spring-like feel, with Black-headed Gulls, Common and Sandwich Terns all un full breeding mode. Many of the gull chicks have already fledged, and some of the tern chicks are not far off following them. Look carefully among the flocks, though, as you may still spot a few Little or Mediterranean Gulls, Little Terns or Kittiwakes.
Juvenile Black-headed Gull
Other noticeable chicks on the Scrape include several broods of Shelducks and Coots, and a growing family of Egyptian Geese.
Shelduck (above) and Coot (below) with chicks
Midsummer through to the autumn is also a good time to look for herons feeding in the shallow waters on the Scrape, with several Little Egrets and juvenile Grey Herons present this week. Perhaps the most sought-after bird on the Scrape this week, though, has been this gorgeous immature Glossy Ibis.
Frustratingly, this scarce visitor has proved very elusive at times, but when it does deign to appear it can often be seen feeding close to Wildlife Lookout. Although Glossy Ibises are increasingly frequent visitors to the UK, and can be seen at any time of year, sightings can never be predicted and they don't yet breed regularly on our shores. It may only be a matter of time, though.
It always surprises me how small Glossy Ibises are, as can be seen in comparison with Coot in this picture
Meanwhile, our Bitterns continue to be seen regularly, especially at Bittern Hide and Island Mere. The latter location is also reliable for seeing Bearded Tits, while both Little and Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks remain on the mere. Marsh Harriers are reliable over the reedbed, a few Hobbies remain, and the occasional Otter or Kingfisher continue to be seen.
We're really pleased that our Water Voles are starting to show regularly again at the pond, which is also a good place to look for Norfolk Hawker, Emperor and Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies and Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies. Several visitors have managed to see one of our reptiles this week, too, including an Adder that was actually inside East Hide and a Slow Worm just outside the visitor centre.
As we're coming to the end of National Insect Week, I must mention a few more of our insects too. The first White Admiral, Ringlet and Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies are now on the wing, and a few visitors have spotted a Broad-bordered Bee-hawkmoth near the pond. Even more excitingly, Digger Alley is open for business, with sightings this week including Beewolf, Pantaloon Bee, Green-eyed Flower-bee, Silvery Leafcutter Bee and the wasp Oxybelus uniglumis. If you haven't discovered Digger Alley for yourself yet then make a visit over the next six weeks to enjoy the action for yourself.
Pantaloon Bee by Steve Everett - look at those baggy trousers!
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