As the Easter holidays draw to a close we’re looking forward to the busy breeding season here at Minsmere. Families taking part in our brilliant Wild Things activities will have heard some of the newly arrived songbirds – blackcaps, chiffchaffs and willow warblers – as they sing to attract mates to their territories. These birds have made the long journey back from warmer climates in the Mediterranean and Africa, and are now returning to build nests amongst the blossom and brambles.
Sadly we have waved goodbye to our amazing starling spectacle on April 4th as they return to their breeding grounds in North Western Europe, hopefully they’ll return again in the autumn. Leaving too are the Scandinavian thrushes – redwings and fieldfare – but can still be heard as night falls as they migrate in darkness. Incoming to the reserve are the waders including our iconic avocets, lapwing, redshanks and ringed plovers. Having sheltered from the poor weather and gorged on the abundant food in the local estuaries, they now return to establish nests on the scrape islands.
Black headed and Mediterranean gulls have also begun to establish themselves on the scrape islands, as well as around 20 Sandwich terns and a handful of common terns. Little and common gulls have also been seen around the scrape. Sandwich tern by Jon Evans.
We’ve also seen the return of our sand martins as they return to the burrows by the pond. Sand martins will change nest sites every few years, last year they chose the fresh sandstone cliffs at Dunwich, but after work was done by the reserve team to scrape a fresh surface on the burrows last autumn it looks like it has been successful.
Wheatears and ring ouzels have been seen around the heathland areas of the reserve, where Dartford warblers and woodlarks are singing. For those of a patient nature you may appreciate the challenge of listening for the rare Savi's warbler at Island Mere or the trio of tiny jack snipes demonstrating their amazing camouflage at North Hide.
Bitterns are continuing to boom, marsh harriers are gathering nesting materials and starting to pass food in mid air displays of aerobatics, and bearded tits can be seen around the reedbeds if you're lucky! Bearded tit by Matt Parrott.
In the coming weeks of hopefully good weather we’re hoping to see more of our summer species returning – stone curlews, swifts, cuckoos and nightingales. Most of these species can be seen across the reserve, but to best experience the spring spectacle it’s worth booking on one of our guided walks to see not only the birds, but flowers and invertebrates too, see the RSPB Minsmere website for details.