There are some days when I feel so lucky to work at Minsmere. Most people who I meet say things like "you're so lucky to do your job" to which I invariably reply, "it's a shame I spend so much time int he office". Today though, things were different. For a start, I managed to find time for a stroll at lunchtime. The first surprise was watching a male sparrowhawk chasing a kestrel above the car park - not something you see everyday! Although at first glance the North Bushes trail seemed quiet, there were a few goldcrests around, and a superb view of a treecreeper. Careful checking through the vegetation revealed a late lesser whitehroat feeding, while a calling chiffchaff refused to reveal itself. A few swallows flew overhead, but the highlight was an incoming viistor: a stunnign male brambling. My first of the year.
A few minutes later, I was watching small groups of brent geese heading south offshore, with a red-throated diver on the sea. Winter is clearly approaching, and there was a definite nip in the air.
Soon after returning the office, Adam Rowlands relayed a message over our radios that one of our guides had found a red-flanked bluetail in the Sluice Bushes. This is an extremely rare autumn visitor to the UK. Tiny numbers breed in Finland, with the rest spread across the Siberian taiga forest. They usually head southeast to spend the winter in SE Asia. However, a few drift the opposite way and if conditions are suitable they may arrive in the UK. Until three years ago, there was only record in Suffolk, then one was found at Thorpeness. There has been one in each of the last two years too, but there had never been one at Minsmere. Until now. The wardens all rushed out in hope of finding this much-sought after visitor. The bird was very mobile in thick scrub,and being hassled by robins and wrens, but it did eventually show itself, leaving msot fo the staff very happy.
As usual with lost migrants, this is a young bird, so not as colourful as an adult male. However, it is still a gorgeous lttle bird, with a blue tail, orange-red flanks, and a white chin, plus a white ring around the eye. You might not even find it in your field guide, as they are such rare visitors tot he UK. Many people will probably ask red-flanked what?
It's not just rare birds that I've been watching recently, as last week I took four people on another Minsmere deer safari. We had superb views of our red deer, including an impressive 20-pointer stag. It's amazing how close we can get to these impressive beasts in our vehicles. The deer safaris have been so popula rthat they are now fully booked, but if you want to watch the deer, then please visit our viewpoint on Westleotn Heath. It is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend, then daily from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, from 3 pm to dusk. Why not come and visit?