Variety is the Spice of Life

One of the nice things about this time of year is the sheer scale of variety you can see whilst wandering around the reserve.  Outside the Visitor Centre you have cheeky squirrels

and plenty of birds to photograph, whether it's a Chaffinch

or a Robin

They're all busy scoffing seeds.  A stroll down to the pond area will often lead to a close encounter with Minnie - named for the pattern on her head that looks like Mickey Mouse ears.  We believe she may be pregnant, so hopefully we'll be able to see her regularly over the coming weeks

It's not just Adders of course, the pond nearby means Grass Snakes are never far away.  This tiny baby snake was a real treat though

The Tiger Beetles are in the same area - and they've been showing off their ferocious nature

The Beetles aren't the only Tiger here - this is a Tiger Cranefly!

The prize for "Most Difficult to Fly" insect has to go to the Longhorn Moth though - how on earth does it manage with those antenna?

It's not just moths of course, little butterflies abound, like this Small Copper

  • Carrying on along the North Wall, you cannot miss all the reedbed specialists, like this Sedge Warbler singing away

    Little Wrens confidently shout at the top of their voices

    On the seafront itself, the Stonechats are doing well

    They have three youngsters, all seem to be doing OK (which is good to see, I've been hearing many little woodland birds have been struggling)

    Whitethroats are plentiful

    and small flocks of Linnet are up and down all day

    If you're really lucky, you may spot a distant Cuckoo

    But for many birds, the time for nest building (or pirating) is long gone - little Goslings about all round the scrape

    Redshank strut their stuff along the water's edge

    and Barnacle Geese trim the grass neatly

    Baby Bunnies are also out and about on grass trimming duty

    and noisy Black Headed Gulls are finally settling down to the serious business - the cold weather we've had recently definitely seems to have delayed the start of serious incubation

    The last duck to see us away from the Scrape is a Tuftie - mooching up and down the waterways 

    There's just time to pop along to Bittern Hide, where a chance encounter almost distracted me

    But I maintained my concentration and was rewarded with a slightly grumpy subject in the rain.  Everyone should have a Hobby :-)

  • Absolutely beautiful amazing stupendous photos and videos as are all of WJ's takes on my favourite home from home. It helps us feel closer to RSPB Minsmere. Won't be long now till we venture east. It's been 9 months too long, but just two of us three have been vaxed so we'll wait a while longer. Don't go away....

    Thank you WJ.
  • Lovely write up and super photos Whistling Joe. Enjoyed your post and will visit very soon.
    Kind regards
    JeniRen
  • Melbro said:
    It helps us feel closer to RSPB Minsmere

    My time is well spent then :-)

    The good thing about Minsmere is that so much of this wildlife is visible from outside the hides, so you don't feel short-changed if you prefer to avoid the undercover spaces at present

  • Thank you WJ for keeping us all in touch with Minsmere and it's occupants. Fabulous photos, so good to see them all, love the Sedge Warbler what a beautiful bird as are of course the Stonechat and Hobby, not to mention the various snakes. Isn't Spring good when the weather allows it to progress:-)