A Walk along the River Deben in Suffolk.

Sandwiched between my two days at Minmere recently, my wife and I went on one of our favourite walks along the River Deben from Wilford Bridge to Woodbridge and on to Martlesham Creek.

When we started the tide was high and so no mud for the waders, but this Great Tit posed for us.

We stopped to eat our sandwiches on a bench overlooking the river just beyond Woodbridge. There was one Black-tailed Godwit feeding as the falling tide revealed the mud and it was quickly joined by more and only a few feet in front of us. 

Further along this Curlew flew ahead of us.

Then turned and flew right in front of us and landed.

This Little Grebe seemed to think the Godwit was worth a closer look.

Curiosity satisfied it swam off.

There's not many days we don't see a Buzzard

The sun bringing out the best in a Lapwing.

A Kestrel briefly right overhead, not an easy angle for taking pictures.

Curlew joined by one of a number of Turnstones.

There were a few Widgeon about.

This was a very low tide and the numbers of Godwits went into the hundreds along the river.

Among them a few Dunlins.

For a while some Redshanks put on a show dancing across the water.

Even more Godwits.

And Dunlins.

A Black-headed Gull was diving unsuccessfully.

One of the many Cormorants did a long run take off for us.

In the air at last.

A Pied Wagtail on a decaying boat hull.

Nearly back to the car, another Curlew.

That's all folks.

A lovely easy walk along the River Deben along a public footpath with no hides but great views and lots of other people walking by so the birds(and there are always plenty when the mud is showing at this time of year) are used to people and you get closer views than on many reserves.

Best Wishes,

Trevor