It seems to have been a day for all seasons at Minsmere today. Bright blue skies and a warming sun this morning hinted at spring, while heavy rain as I type confirms that we are in autumn. A swallow flew south along the dunes this afternoon, bringing memories of summer, but the wildlife generally had a more wintry feel about it, including some welcome surprises.
The day began in typical November fashion, with reports of redwings and bullfinches in the North Bushes, a few common scoters on the sea, and large flocks of the commoner ducks on the Scrape. Among the duck were a handful of waders - redshank, spotted redshank, grey plover, dunlin, turnstone, snipe and black-tailed godwit and at least 350 lapwings. Three yellow-legged gulls were spotted too.
Those in Island Mere Hide this morning were treated to some truly spectacular bittern sightings, with one bird parading close to the hide for at least two hours! This particular bittern has a limp but appears to be feeding very well judging by the size of some of the perch he's been catching. It can also fly strongly, so there is every chance that it will survive despite this injury. I'm sure many of us will sympathise as we are so often nursing aching joints ourselves - I know I do.
The otters weren't so visible at Island Mere today, but at least four marsh harriers were hunting over the reedbed, and good numbers of cormorants were resting on the island or fishing in the mere.
The excitement began to build mid morning when our guides located three snow buntings in the dunes, then glimpsed a short-eared owl flying around the Sluice Bushes, before four Bewick's swans flew in to land on East Scrape. Winter was definitely in the air.
Shortly before lunch I was asked to identify a bird from a photo on someone's camera and was surprised to confirm that they have photographed a great grey shrike. Apparently the bird had been present for most of the morning, but news had only just filtered through to us in the visitor centre. At the same time I was told that there were now 12 snow buntings in the dunes.
I headed out to try to spot the shrike and was rewarded with some good views of this beautiful bird perching in various bushes on the stone-curlew-nesting field - the same field over which the cliff swallow was feeding last week. It didn't come close enough for me to get a decent picture, but Matt managed a quick snap.
Today's great grey shrike by Matt Parrott
The shrike was last seen flying over the cafe, then diving into a nearby oak tree to escape the attentions of a couple of pied wagtails that were mobbing it. Will it stay? It would certainly be nice if it did, though it is more likely to move on, much like the recent bird on Westleton Heath.
While watching the shrike I heard reports that the snow bunting flock was now 20 strong. This was too tempting, and a quick stroll along the beach was clearly in order. With the help of one of our wardens, I managed to find the flock feeding in the dunes between the sluice and the Public Viewpoint and was able to count 23 snow buntings, plus a couple of greenfinches and meadow pipits. At that point, Amy caught us up and managed to take a few photos of what were her first snow buntings.
One of today's snow buntings by Amy Lever
We watched the snow bunting flock for several minutes, but it remained very mobile, moving as far north as the North Wall, and as far south as the sluice, so if they are still here tomorrow they may take a bit of finding.
What will the rest of the week bring?
I saw the Great Grey Shrike on the North Wall. I would like to Thank the man who lowered his scope so I was abled to see the Great Grey Shrike. I did get a photo later but it isn't very close or clear. Once again thanks to the fellow birder.
My Flickr. Photos link HERE