On a day of April showers we visited the RSPB's flagship reserve at Minsmere. On our first view of the Scrape we were surprised to find that it has become totally dominated by Black-headed Gulls. They were everywhere! The first bird of interest turned out to be one that we couldn't tick as it was the Greater Flamingo, nicknamed Fiona, who has been around for quite a time having taken a break from her life at Marwell Zoo. Another species very much in evidence was Barnacle Goose of which there were several pairs.
Viewing the Scrape from the various hides we found Mediterranean Gulls, a few Sandwich Terns and a male Pintail. There were a few waders with 25+ Avocets,Turnstones, Ringed Plovers and a single Black-tailed Godwit. We also managed to see a cracking male Bearded Tit, albeit briefly.
A male Bearded Tit (photographed elsewhere).
After lunch and a heavy shower we made our way round via the Bittern Hide to Island Mere. At the former we managed to get a view of a Bittern and another from Island Mere. We had heard 2 booming as we went round the Scrape in the morning. Altogether there must have been over 10 Marsh Harriers flying around and we had close views of 3 Red Deer hinds in the woodland.
A brief visit to Dunwich Heath before starting for home provided prolonged views of a very showy male Dartford Warbler which performed for us for several minutes.
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