Great walk yesterday morning to celebrate National Farmhouse Breakfast Week. It was cold but clear with a red dawn sky over the sea when we started at 7 am. Gorgeous sunrise as we reached East Hide, and not too cold when sheltered from NE wind. We had some cracking views of wildlife too, before returning for porridge, full English and toast in the tearoom - thanks to Aris and Barbie for laying on such a spread.
The most disappointing thing was probably only having four people join me on the walk. That or the surprising lack of raptors. Not even a marsh harrier. Never mind, what we did see more than made up for it.
Water rail calling and Cetti's warbler singing from North Wall was a great start, with cormorants leaving roost to fly north. Shame no roosting starlings now (they seem to be at RSPB North Warren and Blythburgh instead).
East Hide superb. Good numbers of shelduck, shoveler and gadwall showing really well left of the hide, then seven(!) redhead smews swam through flock. Biggest count I've ever had! Showed well for five minutes, before flying further back on East Scrape. Five stunning drake pintails, but not many wigeons or teals.
Red deer stared at us from path along beach before fleeing with his friends. Public viewpoint gave great views of a drake smew - he even sat there long enough for everyone to look through the scope - and another redhead. Wow.
Drake smew with two redheads
Big arrival of ducks from Levels - 400 teal, 100 gadwall. Lots of lapwings too. Yet by the time we reached South Hide (after quick look across the Levels), most of these had gone. Two grey plovers, two dunlins and a redshank ample consolation.
A very pleasant walk - it's always great to be at Minsmere early. If the early start put you off, why not join me for the last Winter Wildfowl walk at Minsmere on Wednesday, starting at 9.30 am. (There are two more at North Warren on Sat 5 and Sat 19 Feb). We'll be celebrating World Wetlands Day. If early starts are not a problem, book now for dawn chorus (4 am plus breakfast to follow) or nightingales and warblers (7 am) walks in April and May. Places are selling fast!
And a quick remnder. If you haven't done Big Garden Birdwatch yet, then top up the feeders and get counting this afternoon or tomorrow.