Trip reports

Birdwatching Weekend - 10th to 12th May

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Our annual birdwatching weekend was again in May and once more proved to be very popular. We visited Suffolk this time, an area which most people had been to before but we still managed to find some new reserves for many people. After last year's rather wet weekend, everyone was delighted with wall-to-wall sunshine this time.

Day One: After a 7.00am departure from Derby Full Street, and a refuelling stop for the passengers on the A14, we arrived at our first reserve, Lackford Lakes near Bury St Edmunds. Nightingale and Hobby watched our arrival and Reed Warblers were announcing their presence everywhere. After an alfresco lunch we moved on to RSPB Lakenheath where a few people managed to see the Golden Oriole, although many of us heard them calling. Garganey, Common Crane, Marsh Harrier and up to 20 Hobbies gave us a good start to the weekend. We continued our journey to the hotel at Great Yarmouth, where a dinner and a well earned drink (or two) finished off the day nicely.

Day Two: A full day at RSPB Minsmere and as usual the reserve did not disappoint. Bittern was seen and heard while Avocets were on the Scrape along with Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper. The Sand Martins were flying in and out of their nesting holes near the visitor centre, accompanied by the song of Nightingale. Marsh Harrier and Hobby flew overhead and warblers were singing everywhere in the sun. There were several Dartford Warblers on the heathland and a Cetti's Warbler even made an appearance rather than hiding in a bush (a special flight to reward the coach driver for all his hard work!)

Day Three: RSPB North Warren. Another hot and sunny day with plenty of time to take on ice cream at Thorpeness. The grazing marshes were rather low on bird species but with Marsh Harrier and Hobby over the reedbeds our spirits were soon raised. Mediterranean Gull was seen and a Roseate Tern was found near the Mere just before our departure.

The group as a whole saw a total of 117 species and most people saw at least 80 of these. A Red Kite near Corby on the way home gave us a farewell fly past and who knows what Dorset will hold for us next year.