Surf's up!

There's always a risk when going on holiday that I'll miss something exciting at Minsmere while I'm away. Unusually, while I was Spain for half term (missing the worst of the flooding, thankfully), there weren't any rare birds spotted at Minsmere, though I did miss a murmuration of about 10 000 Starlings. Sadly, these seem to have dispersed just as quickly as they arrived, but we'll keep you posted if they return. I also missed a brief Ring Ouzel in the North Bushes.

On my return to Minsmere on Monday, I was pleasantly surprised to count ten species of waders on the Scrape - a really count for November. These included the expected Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits and Snipe, plus seven Avocets that are lingering well into the winter. More unexpected were a single Golden Plover on South Scrape, no fewer than three wintering Green Sandpipers, and an elusive Jack Snipe - one of two that were spotted on West Scrape. The remaining waders were three species that regularly, but not necessarily reliably seen at Minsmere in winter - Dunlin, Curlew and Redshank.

The wader interest picked up even more today when one of our wardens spotted a Grey Phalarope feeding in the surf zone along the beach. Grey Phalaropes nest in Arctic Canada (where they are known as Red Phalaropes due to their brick-red plumage), and spend the winter bobbing around on the sea (unusual behaviour for most waders, but typical of the three phalaropes). They are regularly spotted passing along UK coasts in autumn storms, often spending several days resting on coastal pools, such as the Scrape, where they feed by spinning like a top. Although they are often seen feeding in the surf zone during stormy conditions, today's bird was found in calmer conditions (though the easterly wind has caused quite a swell). Even more unusually, it hung around all morning, even allowing me to grab a few quick photos.

Today's Grey Phalarope, showing it's typical black mask

I even added a twelfth wader of the week on the Scrape, too, with a single Knot feeding alongside the Green Sandpipers on West Scrape, where further excitement has been provided by up to three Water Pipits.

Elsewhere on the Scrape, several Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls have been spotted, particularly later in the afternoon when they return to roost after feeding on local pig fields. Good numbers of Pintails have now returned, alongside the more regular Shelducks, Wigeons, Gadwall, Teals, Mallards and Shovelers, while a female Goldeneye paid a brief visit to South Scrape on Wednesday.

Drake Pintail

Over at Island Mere, at least three Pochards remain, along with several Tufted Ducks and Coots. Bitterns, Water Rails and Snipe are sometimes seen in front of the hide, although Bitterns are still more likely to be picked out in flight. Little and Great Egrets and Grey Herons are feeding in reedbed pools, too. Bearded Tits continue to be seen regularly along the Island Mere boardwalk and near South Hide. Birds of prey are best seen over the reedbed and included Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards and Kestrels. The latter can sometimes be seen catching the remaining Common Darters, though less adeptly than the Hobbies, which have now finally departed for warmer climes.

Talking of summer migrants, perhaps my most unexpected sighting of the week was a Swallow that flew north over the Sluice yesterday. Swallows in November are not unheard of, and probably becoming more regular due to warmer autumns, with several only heading south as far as Spain, where I watched a flock feeding last week. More surprisingly, there are still several flowers in bloom, including Yellow Horned-poppy on the beach, Sheep's-bit in the dunes and Ragwort on Whin Hill - all very unusual in November.

Bringing a more wintry feel to the bird news this week, we've just had a reports of a Brambling on the feeders, there are several flocks of Siskins in the Alders, the first Fieldfares and Redwings have been seen, and small groups of Brent Geese continue to fly south offshore.

Male Siskin

Finally, the end of British Summer Time means that it is dark when I go home, so most evenings I can hear a Tawny Owl or two calling as I get into the car. Which reminds me, we still have a few spaces left on our final Sunset Stroll guided walk of the year, starting at 3 pm tomorrow (Saturday 9 November). If you're quick, you can book your space here. There are also spaces on Tuesday's Winter Wildfowl walk (starting at 10am) and our Minsmere Safaris on Wednesday.