On the Suffolk Coast at Walberswick hoping for something a little different.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been regular sightings of a Glossy Ibis at Walberswick and relatively easy to find. Last Wednesday promised a bit of sun so we thought we would try our luck for something we'd never seen before. As we parked the car and were about to set off somebody stopped and asked us if we'd seen the Glossy Ibis when we told her that we'd only just arrived she said she'd seen it earlier and told us exactly where and the bird was there waiting for us, viewed from a path overlooking a grassy meadow. We didn't see it straight away as there were a lot of crows in the meadow doing their best Ibis impressions. It was someway off and kept disappearing behind grassy tussocks.

We next headed to where the river meets the sea and found some very obliging Turnstones.

After that a walk through the reed beds and south to the beach where we'd seen Snow Buntings before. Cruising over the reeds we saw 3 or 4 Marsh Harriers one with the sea as a backdrop.

A Great Egret flying overhead.

Then the bit of beach where the Snow Buntings hang out although the first birds seen were Reed Buntings

As we sat on the beach eating our lunch the Snow Buntings turned up.

Then a female Reed Bunting.

There were a few Meadow Pipits among the Buntings and at first I assumed this was one but on closer inspection I think it is a Twite which are seen here most winters and have been reported where we were very recently. I am assuming the small pale beak ID's it as as Twite, a first for us here in Suffolk. Previous sightings were in the Outer Hebrides.

Back at Walberswick one last look for the Glossy Ibis and this time it was much closer to the path.

After 2 recent trips to see something unusual drawing blanks we went home very happy.

Best Wishes,

Trevor