On the lookout

As I type this, I've just heard that a black-browed albatross has been spotted off RSPB Bempton Cliffs in North Yorkshire. This is presumably the same albatross that visited Minsmere in July 2015 and has spent several summers in gannet colonies off the German coast. No doubt birdwatchers across Suffolk will be hoping for a repeat performance, and another chance to spot this magnificent bird. The chances of it landing on one of our freshwater pools again must rate at close to zero, but a sighting offshore is a distinct possibility. Probably tomorrow, when I'm not working and have alternative plans - heads up, everyone, make sure you're here tomorrow!

It may not be quite as impressive, but we did see a close relative of an albatross at Minsmere today as a fulmar drifted over the Scrape before heading back out over the dunes and up the coast.

Fulmar by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) - the closest most of us will come to seeing an albatross in the UK

There was also a great example of how birds can be tracked along the coast this morning when one of our wardens spotted two spoonbills heading south over Dingle Marshes this morning. He quickly alerted our guides by radio, and sure enough just a few minutes these elegant white birds drifted over and landed on the South Levels, joining a third bird that was already present. The two later headed back north, giving more visitors a chance to spot them as they went.

As is often the case at this time of year, white (or more accurately white and black) birds tend to dominate the sightings news: avocets, little egrets, terns and gulls in particular. Among these. a couple of little gulls were seen at both Island Mere and the Scrape today, with 50+ Mediterranean gulls, 100+ common terns, nine little terns and a second year Caspian gull also on the Scrape, alongside black-headed, common, lesser black-backed and herring gulls and kittiwakes. 

Continuing the black and white theme, the two bar-headed geese remain on West Scrape, where the drake mandarin adds a welcome splash of colour. Other highlights around the Coast Trail today included grey plover, bar-tailed godwit and ringed plover on Lucky Pool, black-tailed godwits on West Scrape and a flyover yellow wagtail.

Within the reedbed, Bittern Hide was a centre of activity today, with regular sightings of bittern, marsh harrier, hobby, water rail, little grebe and little egret, as well as kingfisher, swifts, swallows and Cetti's warbler. The Savi's warbler remains at Island Mere, and bearded tits are regularly seen there. 

Not wanting to be outdone, the woodland yielded stoat (a female catching young rabbits near Bittern Hide), great spotted woodpecker, calling cuckoo, hairy dragonflies, various butterflies and a good selection of warblers. Star of the show here, though was the spotted flycatcher in North Bushes this morning - an increasingly scarce spring migrant.

Spotted flycatcher by Jon Evans

Good luck with your albatross spotting tomorrow folks!