I hope you are all safe and well after yesterday's storms that affected many parts of the country. Here in Suffolk we avoided the worst of the weather, though it was certainly a dull damp day yesterday. What a contrast with today. A visit to Minsmere is so much better when the sun shines!
Looking south from the North Wall towards the Scrape
There's certainly been a lot to see over the past few days. Birds of prey have been quite notable, including up to 42 Marsh Harriers coming to roost in the evenings and several starting to display on sunny days like today. A red Kite and two Ravens flew over the reserve this morning, and a pair of Peregrines have been seen several times. Plus, of course, there are regular sightings of Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
A Great Egret has returned to the reedbed, where Bitterns, Little Egrets and Water Rails are all regularly seen - or more often heard in the latter's case. Bearded Tits are best seen around the South Hide area, Cetti's Warblers are starting to sing more often, and a Water Pipit has been seen a few times both at Island Mere and on the Scrape.
Male and female Bearded Tit by Les Cater
The Water Voles haven't been reported for about a week, but there have been sightings of an Otter at Island Mere, and a Mole was spotted above ground in Digger Alley this week - a very apt location for a such an industrious digger.
A Chiffchaff has been seen around the Rhododendron Tunnel again today, while Goldcests, Treecreepers and Long-tailed Tits are often spotted among the tit flocks. Siskins are best seen in Alders around South Belt Crossroads or near the Rhododendron Tunnel, often in company with Goldfinches. Bullfinches are best in the North Bushes. Flocks of Redwings continue to forage in the woodland leaf litter, and Nuthatches and Marsh Tits are regular on the feeders. It's also good to hear the first drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers as a sign that spring is just around the corner.
Great Spotted Woodpecker by Clare Carter
The first Ringed Plover of the year has been on the Scrape this week, along with the lingering Purple Sandpiper, and several Dunlins, Turnstones, Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets. At least one Pochard and several Tufted Ducks and Goosanders are often accompanying the huge flocks of Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail and Shoveler on the Scrape. Common Gull numbers have been a bit lower this week - although still in the hundreds - and our guides have often found the odd Caspian Gull among the Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.
There has been a welcome increase in wintering swan numbers today, including six Whooper and four Bewick's Swans. Perhaps even more exciting has been the arrival of three European White-fronted Geese around the Chapel Field. This species has become much more unusual at Minsmere in recent years, with the local flocks favouring places like RSPB North Warren and RSPB Boyton and Hollesley Marshes.
Whooper Swans by David Naylor