Trip reports

Bird Walk at Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Sunday 10 September 2006

Saturday, 14 October 2006

Eight people participated on this walk which was accompanied by a bright warm day with mainly clear skies and a light breeze, ideal for walking and lingering but not suitable for bringing in numbers of unusual migrants. It had been hoped that a Red-footed Falcon, present for a week, would be seen but it was last reported around the middle of the previous day. The almost still conditions should have suited the resident Bearded Tits but they were apparently reluctant to perform. On the positive side however several species of wader were seen from East Hide. A Knot and two Spotted Redshank, all now in winter plumage, were accompanied by a few Ruff, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe, and a fine juvenile Little Stint was identified amongst the feeding flock of Dunlin.

On the dunes we located a pair of Stonechats, a solitary passage female Wheatear and a few Swallows were feeding aerially around the sluice. Many Reed Buntings were also seen all over the reserve, whilst on the sea a flock of about two dozen Common Scoter contained at least one Velvet Scoter.

From West Hide several duck species included Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler and a large feral flock of well over 100 Barnacle geese. The Konik ponies which do such an invaluable job keeping vegetation down appear to have raised several foals this year and their future as a vital tool on the reserve seems assured.

From Bittern Hide and Island Mere Hide several Little Grebes were seen and Cetti's Warblers , with their explosive outbursts, were heard only. This years successful young Marsh Harriers appear to have moved on but a couple of adults were watched distantly. The highlight however was a pair of Hobbies which gave close exciting views as they hunted over the reedbeds and were seen catching and eating dragonflies on the wing. In fact dragonflies were extremely numerous all round the reserve and amongst the butterflies seen were several Red Admirals and Speckled Woods, all enjoying the early autumn sunshine.