There is definitely a green takeover on the Scrape this week. Green Plovers that is. AKA Peewits. AKA Lapwings.
Whilst we can see varying numbers of Lapwings throughout the year, there are some particularly impressive numbers present at the moment, with counts exceeding 1000 throughout the week. Lapwings are gorgeous birds with their bottle green upperparts reflecting varying tones of bronze and purple depending on the light, white underparts and a pretty black and white face, offset by a long wispy crest. They are members of the plover family, hence the former name of Green Plover.
Lapwing by Steve Everett
In flight, flocks of Lapwings flicker alternately black and white as they twist and turn. Their rounded wings and butterfly-like display flights are thought to be the origins of the their familiar name, with Lapwing being derived from "flapwing" or "flopwing."
The Olde Englishe name for Lapwings was Peewit, which is an onomatopoeic interpretation of their call, and these beautiful calls are resounding around the Scrape as flocks chatter whilst resting on the islands. When a Marsh Harrier or Sparrowhawk disturbs the flock, the spectacle is superbly dramatic.
Male Sparrowhawk by David Naylor. This one is a regular at Island Mere
There are a few other waders among the Lapwings too, including Dunlins, Black-tailed Godwits, the odd Oystercatcher and Redshank, and about a dozen Avocets. A few lucky visitors have spotted a Golden Plover or two, while a Spotted Redshank has been seen feeding in a patch of cut reeds between South Scrape and the Sluice.
Another bird that is more numerous than usual on the Scrape is Pintail, with counts of up to 130 this week. Perhaps our most elegant duck, Pintails were scarce birds at Minsmere until a couple of years ago, so it's great to see so many now using the Scrape on a regular basis. The other common duck species - Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard and Shoveler - are all numerous, and one or two Pochards, Tufted Ducks and Goosanders remain.
The four Whooper Swans remain on the Scrape (with occasion trips to Island Mere), but it looks like the Bewick's Swans departed midweek.
Whooper Swans by David Naylor
Among the gulls, the standout bird was an immature Glaucous Gull on the Levels last Friday and Scrape on Saturday, but it didn't stay long. This is a large gull that breeds around the Arctic and is a scarce visitor to Suffolk. You do, however, have a good chance of spotting a Caspian Gull (up to 20 have been counted) or Yellow-legged Gull, while the odd Mediterranean Gull is now visiting the Scrape too.
The other bird that is attracting a lot of interest on the Scrape is a Water Pipit that is feeding between North Hide and West Hide (or Wildlife Lookout as it has been known recently). It can be elusive at time, but shows very well at other times. You may also spot a Water Pipit at Island Mere.
Water Pipit by David Naylor
Many visitors have been excited by views of Kingfishers at Bittern Hide or in North Marsh, or by Bearded Tits at Island Mere or near South Hide. Other notable sightings around the reedbed include Great Egrets, Bitterns, the occasional Otter and displaying Marsh Harriers.
Displaying Marsh Harriers by David Naylor
Nuthatches, Marsh Tits and Great Spotted Woodpeckers continue to be regular visitors to the feeders at the Visitor Centre, and the latter can be heard drumming in the woods. It's been a good week for sightings of Treecreepers, but the Siskins and Bullfinches have been less obvious this week.
Finally, there has been a good murmuration of Starlings this week. They are best watched from the North Wall, from about 4.45 pm, so we recommend arriving at the Visitor Centre no later than 4.30 pm to give you time to get to the best spot, then keeping your eyes to the skies both north and south of the path. Better still, arrive before the cafe closes at 4 pm so that you enjoy a warm coffee and a cake first.