Although wader migration is typically well past its peak by mid September, there's always a surprise just around the corner. Last year it was the discovery of Minsmere's first Buff-breasted Sandpiper for about 40 years that set the pulses racing. While not quite on the same level of rarity value, two of the smallest waders in the world sprung a surprise this week.
First up was a Temminck's Stint that was found on South Scrape just hours after I wrote last week's blog, and remained until yesterday. This was followed a few days later by a Little Stint on East Scrape, and that has been seen again today.
Temminck's Stints are most typically seen at Minsmere as scarce spring migrants, especially in early May. Autumn records are more unusual, and tend to occur in August. Late September is an unusual time of year to see these tiny waders. When I saw tiny, they are barely as large as a House Sparrow, making them particularly difficult to spot as they skulk around the vegetated margins of the islands and banks on the Scrape. They are greyish above, white below, with greenish legs - the latter helps to distinguish them from most similar species. Unfortunately, this one didn't come close enough for any photos.
Little Stints are less rare, and tend to be expected at Minsmere during August and early September, when they often associate with flocks of the closely related Dunlin. They are similar in size to Temminck's Stints, but brighter and more patterned above and with blacklegs. They are best told from winter plumage Dunlins by their smaller size (which is obvious if the two are seen together) and black legs. Both stints also have shorter bills that Dunlins. Here's a library photo of a juvenile Little Stint by Steve Everett.
As well a few Dunlins, two other closely related waders have been seen this week, too. A much larger Knot was on the Scrape today, while three Sanderlings were spotted scuttling along the beach, in typical clockwork-toy-style over the weekend, with these two stopping just long enough for Les Cater to grab a few fabulous photos.
Other waders making the most of the muddy shallows on the Scrape this week have included Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Lapwing, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. Six Spoonbills popped in briefly over the weekend, and another nine flew past offshore during the week.
Ducks on the Scrape have started to get their finest plumage back, making it easier to identify at least some of the Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard, while a few Pochards and Tufted Ducks remain at Island Mere along with several Coots and Great Crested Grebes.
Elsewhere in the reedbed, there are regular sightings of Bittern, Great Egret, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Bearded Tit. In fact, yesterday I enjoyed an unusual sighting of a Hobby dive-bombing a flying Bittern, which quickly dropped back into the reedbed. If you want to experience the reedbed from a new angle, while not join our volunteers on Monday morning for the first Reedbed Ramble of the year, where they will hope to spot Bearded Tits, Bitterns and perhaps even an Otter.
Bearded Tit by David Naylor
Talking of events, there's still time to book onto one of popular Red Deer Safaris, with spaces still available on some of the tours this weekend and during the week. These offer a unique chance to close to the action as the stags battle for supremacy of a harem of hinds.
Of course, Red Deer aren't the only mammals stealing the show at the moment, with the Water Voles still performing to all-comers at the pond and Muntjacs often being seen in the woods. I found a lovely Common Toad just outside the Visitor Centre yesterday, too.
There are still good numbers of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies on the wing, as well as Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Comma butterflies. I particularly like this photo that I took of a Red Admiral resting on a bunch of black and red Blackberries.
Finally, with apologies for choosing yet another picture of a Kestrel (in case you are new to these blogs, this is one of my favourite birds), I couldn't help taking a few more pictures of a this handsome female close to the Work Centre yesterday. What a beauty.