Trip reports

Coach trip to RSPB Minsmere

Saturday, 16 May 2009

Terry Smith led this trip on a dry, overcast and windy day but it became brighter later in the afternoon. 39 supporters had booked for this popular outing.

As we drove into the reserve a herd of Red Deer were spotted in the woodland. We had good views of Marsh harriers, hobby, avocets, little terns etc. A bittern was heard 'booming' at the Mere hide, and many swifts and swallows were hunting over the reeds. In the afternoon the tea room was well supported!

90 Species were seen or heard:
Little grebe, great crested grebe, fulmar, cormorant, bittern, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, Barnacle goose, shelduck, gadwall, mallard, pintail, shoveler, tufted duck, marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, kestrel, hobby, peregrine, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover, grey plover, lapwing, little stint, dunlin, black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit, redshank, common sandpiper, turnstone, mediterranean gull, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, kittiwake, Sandwich tern, common tern, little tern, stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove, swift, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, skylark, sand martin, swallow, house martin, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, nightingale, stonechat, wheatear, blackbird, Cetti's warbler, sedge warbler, reed warbler, whitethroat, garden warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, bearded tit, long-tailed tit, marsh tit, blue tit, great tit, treecreeper, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet and reed bunting.

Also seen en route: Rook, red legged partridge

Other wildlife:
Grey Squirrel, Rabbit and Red deer.
Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Red Admiral and Green-veined White Butterflies.
Hornet and Broad Bodied Chaser.

Many thanks to Terry and all the walk leaders for helping us to enjoy the day.