It's a big year at Minsmere, as we'll be celebrating our 70th anniversary as an RSPB nature reserve later this spring - they'll be much more on this as the spring progresses. But that's not the only anniversary that we'll be celebrating.
As of early March in 1947, one of Minsmere's most iconic birds was still considered a rare visitor to the UK, having been absent as a breeding bird for more than 100 years. A couple of months later, four pairs of avocets were discovered nesting on a pool at Minsmere, and the rest, as they say, is history. Well, perhaps, that a bit too much of a simplification, but again, we'll be telling the story in more details later in the year. For now, suffice to say, that avocets have bred here in Suffolk ever since that first tentative colonisation, initially mainly at Havergate Island, then from the early 1960s back here at Minsmere.
Well, 70 years on, the avocets are back, and remain a joy to behold. Our first few avocets of the spring returned late last week, and although no more than 15 of these elegant birds have been seen yet, they have already started courtship displays and even copulation, so we're optimistic for another successful spring.
Mating avocets by Jon Evans
Their timing is almost prefect, as we've been out completing the finishing touches of the Scrape's winter management programme today, cutting vegetation on many of the banks using a tractor-mounted cutter. This will improve nesting habitat for some of the Scrape's breeding birds, as well as improving viewing for visitors.
The avocets aren't the only birds that returned to the Scrape for the spring, either. As I walked into East Hide at lunchtime I was greeted by the familiar raucous calls of black-headed gulls. I must admit to a little smile and giggle with joy at the REAL sound of spring at Minsmere. From the hide it was clear that several pairs of black-headed gulls are already intent on nesting on some of the islands on the northern end of East Scrape, as they displayed and showed every sign of marking out their small patch with a quick stab of their beak at their nearest neighbour.
Two black-headed gulls taking up their familiar position on the wooden crossbar near East Hide
A careful scan through the gulls also revealed at least four Mediterranean gulls with their jet black heads and bright red bills. One was sporting a colour ring which may allow us to learn a little about it's life history. Indeed, a colour-ringed second-year Caspian gull spotted last week was ringed as a chick near Lviv in Ukraine, and has subsequently been seen at various sites in France, the Netherlands and Kent, as well as here at Minsmere. It's certainly a well traveled bird.
There are now several pairs of oystercatchers and redshanks are prospecting for nest sites on the Scrape, and the first ringed plovers have returned too. Lapwings are displaying too, with North Hide offering excellent opportunities to watch their amazing tumbling display.
Other waders on the Scrape are passing through on migration, but include a few black-tailed godwits, turnstones and dunlins. Although numbers of ducks on the Scrape are down as birds begin the long journey back to the Arctic, our pair of smew were, surprisingly, joined by an other pair yesterday. I can't remember the last time that we saw two drakes together at Minsmere.
There's been plenty of notable sightings elsewhere over the few days too. Red kites have been seen almost daily, marsh harriers are displaying over the reedbed, buzzards and sparrowhawks can usually be spotted at some point during the day, and a ringtail hen harrier roosted at the west end of the reedbed last night. Otters, bitterns and bearded tits are regular at Island Mere, where Cetti's warblers and reed buntings are already singing, and little and great crested grebes have begun to return. Other sightings at Island Mere include kingfisher, water rail and upto eight goosanders.
Spring has certainly returned to the woodland areas too. I was greeted by a drumming great spotted woodpecker this morning, and a beautiful song thrush in full song last Wednesday, while adders have been spotted on most days, providing the rain holds off in the morning.
Finally, anyone who regularly reads my blogs will know how much I love a good skyscape or reflection, so here's a couple to finish with from today.
Reedmace reflected in the pond (above) and a showery sky above the Scrape