A walk from Dunwich along Dingle Marshes with sights and wildlife aplenty.

Last Monday was forecast to be be the best day of the week weather wise and so it was, bright and sunny all day with little wind but quite cold. Suffolk didn't suffer too much from Storm Arwen, but one of the results of the Storm was a heavy swell pushing down the North Sea and quite a heavy surf running, for Suffolk anyway.

I hope anyone still without power gets all the help they need and all their services restored as soon as possible.

We headed for the coast again, Dunwich this time, and planned a walk north towards RSPB Dingle Marshes. It's a mile and a half walk with a good chance of seeing Snow Buntings at the end of it. The first thing that greeted us was the scene below looking north towards Walberswick.

Then a BHG with an itch.

That's got it.

Then a female Red Deer with offspring.

More of the herd dozing in the sun, the one on the left doing it's best donkey impression.

A couple of Great Egrets flew over the marshes.

There is a wide bank of shingle here with quite a bit of vegetation and lots of birds were foraging for seeds amongst it. There were Linnets, Skylarks and Greenfinches all feeding together in the same area.

What are you looking at?

A couple of Dunlin feeding in the shore pool by the reeds.

A Marsh Harrier on patrol.

You still looking at me?

A Redshank appearing to be distracted by it's own reflection.

The Greenfinches were finding plenty to eat. We were told later that they appear to have come across from the Continent.

A small group of Starlings.

Once you get past the shore pools the going gets quite hard work on the shingle so with the tide low we made good progress on the firm sand on the shore line by the waves.

Looking north towards Southwold.

Further along, more reeds and another Redshank

Then a Little Egret.

Followed by a Reed Bunting.

Finally the Snow Buntings, I'd gone past these ones and had the sun behind them.

A few minutes later and a small flock of 20 or so birds landed quite close to us, they were a mixture of Snow Buntings and Linnets.

The occasional territorial dispute.

Then more birds drop in.

Peace again, they would feed for a few minutes fly off down the beach for a little while then return.

It was then time to head back to Dunwich for lunch at the Ship. When we arrived we were quite hungry but were greeted by a "Closed for Renovation" sign. Plan B was the National Trust Tea Room at Dunwich Heath. No luck, it now only opens at the weekend at this time of year. Minsmere saved the day with an excellent Cheese Scone and a Curried Cauliflower Pasty.

A quick walk into the Reserve late afternoon. a Wren in the late sunshine.

Plus a Stonechat posing beautifully.

Even the waves looked better in the setting sun.

In the last of the light from East Hide some Teal.

A great day out that exceeded expectations.

Hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Trevor