Hot on the heels on my two butterfly sightings on Monday, there have been further notable sightings this week. Perhaps the most surprising was the three spoonbills that dropped onto East Scrape on Wednesday. Although common visitors in spring, winter records of spoonbill are rare. We assume these were three of the four birds that have been seen recently on the Alde Estuary.
They're not the only scarce herons that have been seen locally this month either. A beautiful cattle egret has taken up residence close to the Alde Estuary in the village of Iken, where it has joined a flock of little egrets feeding among a herd of Suffolk redpoll cattle. And a great white egret that has been commuting between Dingle Marshes and Hen Reedbed was joined by a second bird at Dingle yesterday. With both species slowly colonising the UK, it is not impossible that either species will begin breeding in Suffolk soon, though cattle egrets remain very rare in Suffolk. Will either of these birds grace us with a visit to Minsmere in the next few weeks?
The Iken cattle egret in typical pose by Ian Barthorpe
On a personal level, I was very surprised that my sighting of a grey heron yesterday was my fifth species of heron this year (and fourth at Minsmere) - after bittern, spoonbill, little egret and cattle egret. What are the chances of seeing all four of those species before a grey heron?
A grey heron up close by Ian Barthorpe
Another highlight on Wednesday was watching one of two short-eared owls hunting around the chapel field and along the New Cut. Despite the dull, misty weather, and the distance from Bittern Hide, they put on a good display for much of the morning. I think everyone enjoys watching owls, so this was a real bonus for those visitors lucky enough to spot them. We haven't had any reports of barn or tawny owls yet this year though.
The two tundra bean geese remain on the South Levels, though they can be tricky to spot, while four whooper swans visited the Konik Field on Wednesday.
Out on the Scrape, six pintails remain among the commoner ducks. A small of dunlins has attracted a knot, and the occasional turnstone can be seen . A green sandpiper flew past on Wednesday, and two avocets were present again yesterday. If you are walking around the Scrape, please note that the path has begun to flood between the sluice and South Hide. While passable in walking boots this morning, it is likely to get worse before it get better, so wellies are recommended.
Offshore, there has been a good passage of little gulls and brent geese this week, but sadly none of the little auks that have been widely reported farther north. A fine drake velvet scoter was a bonus today.
In the reedbed there have been regular sightings of bitterns, marsh harriers, sparrowhawks, kingfishers and otters this week, and the Cetti's warblers are in full song. The Bewick's swans are often feeding alongside mute swans and curlews south of Island Mere (viewable form Whin Hill). Water rails and bearded tits have been a bit more elusive, though can often be heard.
Goldcrests, jays and bullfinches are all regularly spotted in the woods, and a great spotted woodpecker has been a regular visitor to the feeders at the visitor centre. I spotted a song thrush in the car this morning too.
With cold weather forecast for the weekend, will we see the arrival of more thrushes, starlings, geese and perhaps even a woodcock or two? And will it slow the early blooming of some of our flowers? I've already seen snowdrops and daffodils in flower, and some of Minsmere's daffodils are much more advanced than usual for early January.
Finally, we have a couple of events coming up that might be of interest.
On Friday 15 and Saturday 16 January we're hosting the Darsham Astronomical Society's stargazing live event from 7.30 pm. This is a free event, with no need to book.
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January our Garden Bird Festival provides a great introduction to the following weekend's Big Garden Birdwatch. We'll have quizzes, activities and expert advice on garden bird feeding, as well as the chance to make a feeder of your own.
Since posting this blog, I've been told of some more good seabirds passing by offshore this morning: three eiders, a fulmar, a great skua, seven little gulls and lots of unidentified auks (probably mostly guillemots). A Dartford warbler has also been found in the scrub south of the sluice.