Trip reports

Minsmere

Sunday, 1 June 2008

Minsmere is the RSPB's flagship reserve, and potentially one of the best places in Britain to see birds. As such it is very busy, and with limited space available for coaches, it is often difficult to get one of those coveted May Sundays. The 1st of June was a good compromise. The first flush of Spring song is over, but even late migrants have arrived and birds are busy feeding the first brood of hungry beaks.

We were fortunate to have a dry and fairly sunny day for our visit, though rather too breezy for those reed bed specialists the bearded tits. Spring had generally been very wet (again!) and this had repercussions on the reserve as we were to find out. We arrived in good time after a trouble free run from Bickley, enlivened by views of a daytime hunting barn owl as we neared our destination, and after receiving our visitor stickers, went our various ways. Most of us went first to the visitor centre to check for any special birds to look out for. We were told that it was impossible to make the usual circuit of the reserve via the beach and sluice because of flooding on the return path from the sluice, and unfortunately this put a couple of hides out of reach too.

Jenny, Peter and I decided to walk down to the sea first. On route we had excellent views of the comings and goings at the sand martin colony in the artificial bank near the visitor centre. Whitethroats were singing from several bushes and a Cetti's warbler gave it's sudden startling call from dense cover as usual. As we approached the causeway through the reed beds, sedge warblers were making themselves heard, and we managed to get some good views. After waiting in vain for any bearded tits and enjoying some nice views of a reed bunting, we made our way to the sea and the hide overlooking the main scrapes. The impact of the high water levels could clearly be seen. The avocets had some of their normal nest islands flooded, and there were relatively few nests and chicks to be seen. Hopefully they tried again when water levels fell. Plenty of adults could be admired though, as they fed in their characteristic way, their curious curved beaks skimming the water for tiny creatures. Black headed gull also nest on the larger islands and these had large fluffy chicks in evidence. June is a quiet month for waders and there were relatively few present. Redshanks, the odd tumstone and a few oystercatchers were all that were seen. Terns were noticeable, with common terns attempting to nest on the islands and little terns constantly flying around calling loudly. At this point we split up and I walked on towards the sluice while Peter and Jenny returned to the visitor centre; we agreed to meet up for lunch and look for bitterns later. On the beach little terns and ringed plovers were nesting in the fenced area and a few well camouflaged tem chicks could be seen huddling in their nest scrapes. The gorse bushes that back the dunes proved a good area for stonechat and linnet and more whitethroats. I searched in vain for the whinchat and late pied flycatcher that had been reported from the area earlier. On my return journey I had good views of one of the many marsh harriers that were busy quartering the reed beds. In fact I soon lost count of the total number of marsh harriers I saw; they were very much a constant feature of the day,

I met up with Jenny and Peter again at the visitor centre and we walked through the wooded area towards the two hides overlooking the main reed beds. The woodland was fairly quiet, but a great spotted woodpecker and two treecreepers were seen. At the Bittern Hide we waited for a while, but no bitterns obliged. There were plenty of marsh harriers though, and a distant sparrowhawk. We stopped for lunch at a favourite bench on the way to the Island Mere hide. This is usually a good spot for nightingale , and sure enough, although it was too late in the season for song, we saw an adult bird several times, obviously collecting food for young. The area is also good for warblers and we saw and heard willow warbler, chiffchaff and blackcap here. A turtle dove was heard calling, but was fairly distant and could not be located. After lunch we walked towards the Island Mere Hide. On the way we were treated to a green woodpecker on the ground, a normally secretive Cetti's warbler perched in the open, and a 'scope filling perched marsh harrier. I have never failed to see bittern on recent visits to Minsmere, and luck was with us again this time. As we quietly entered the hide, the occupants pointed to a bittern in full view in an open space right in front of the hide. You can imagine how hard I kicked myself for not having a camera available. Not a mistake I plan ever to repeat! The bittern showed off outrageously, pointing its beak up vertically in true bittern fashion and then poking around in the water for any tasty morsels, before regally stalking off into the reeds. It was the best view I have ever had of a bittern and I don't expect ever to get much better. We stayed in the hide for quite a while in the hope of a repeat performance, and though the bittern never showed again as close, we were treated to the sight of it flying, and the sight of two other bitterns flying across the reeds. The bittern is not at its most impressive when flying. Its legs trail behind it like an afterthought, and it lands in the reeds with the sort of kerfuffle that contrasts markedly with its stateliness and poise when fishing. We also enjoyed some great views of marsh harriers from the hide, including one posing on a bank quite nearby. As the afternoon warmed up a little, a hobby also appeared. Eventually we managed to tear ourselves away, as a cup of tea was calling, and we made our way back to the visitor centre in time for some refreshments. Then it was reluctantly back to the coach for the journey home. If you only manage to do one trip with the Bromley Group in the year it has to be Minsmere!