17th May - RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk

It was back to RSPB Minsmere today, arriving the same time, but today the conditions were a lot warmer, the wind was more from the south west and much lighter and as a result as we walked to the Island Mere Hide there was plenty of bird song in the woods, including this male Blackcap.

We had decided to miss out the Bittern Hide this morning, the word was that the best views were being seen from the Island Mere, although a little later in the day we were told of a Bittern that fished in th epool in front of the Bittern Hide for about forty five minutes.  Such is life.

It wasn't too busy in the hide and the beauty of the hide is that it has wide, high windows, no leaning forward to look through a small opening, we both were suffering with our necks as a result.

There are great views across the tops of the reeds and of course there were Marsh Harriers, this one a male drifting past.

I had been hearing the calls of Bearded Tit from the moment we walked down the board walk, but they were staying low in the reeds until this male appeared on the edge of the reeds, low down, but showing well.

Some classic Bearded Tit poses in the reeds.

There were three others in the hide and as we looked out across the mere the call went out "Bittern" and one came from the left hand side of the hide, flying low in front of the hide across the cut reeds.  Wonderful, just what we had come for.

In the breeding season the males have a light blue patch around the eye and at the base of the bill.  This was a male bird.

The throat and belly plumage is what catches the eye, due to its ability to hide the Bittern in the reeds, but in flight you get to appreciate the stunning patterns on the wings and back, a truly beautiful bird.

The Camera just fired away as it passed and I couldn't make my mind up which one was the best so here are all of them.

Following a recent census the RSPB reckon that there are twelve breeding pairs around the reed bed, there was a nest to the left of the hide which is thought to now have chicks.

A little after the first Bittern flew past, another took off t=from the are in which we had briefly seen one on Friday.  It flew across the mere to the reeds on the far side.

We settled in once more to see if anymore would show and we did see two more distantly to the west of the hide.  But another surprise was a Common Crane that flew up from the area directly in front of us and behind the mere.

There were two birds and we could hear them calling, with that lovely wild bugling sound.  The pair have a nest and the thinking is that the chicks have hatched and are now being fed.  Another big success for Minsmere.  The adult birds would fly between the area in front of the hid to a spot distant to the west.

Quite a sight in flight with the wide wingspan and long legs extended beyond the wings.

A sedge Warbler was singing and bursting in the air with its display flight on the right hand side of the hide.

While on the left hand side this Reed Warbler seemed to prefer the small hawthorn bush to the reeds to sing in.

With the calmer conditions today the water of the mere was quite still and threw a nice reflection of the Cormorants resting on the wooden platform.

While a Common Tern fished out in the middle of the mere.

Then another surprise one of the Common Cranes took off from the nest area and flew towards us behind the hide.  I came out on to the boardwalk as it began circling to gain height.

Showing off the impressive wingspan and overall size of the bird.

Things quietened a little as we approached lunch time, so we walked back to the centre for a coffee and something to eat.  Sitting outside I couldn't resist the Sand Martins flying to and fro from their nest holes.

As I watched the Sand Martins I was reminded of the first time I came to Minsmere back in the late eighties when the Sand Martin Colony was the back drop for the car park.  That car park would never support the number of visitors the reserve gets today.

We decided to walk around the scrapes once one, coming up to the north wall a Reed Bunting sand from a single branch within the reeds.

There was always a chance of a heavy shower today, but fortunately we were lucky, this one passing to the south of us heading out to the north sea over Thorpeness.

We walked the board walk once again and then up and over into the dunes.  This Brent Goose was a surprise as it headed out to the sea from the scrape, a very late bird.

A Linnet in the gorse by the sluice.

We walked around to the South Hide, but before going in there is a small raised area where you can look over the scrape that can't be seen from the hide.  As I walked up to view all the Common Terns went up together

Kittiwakes nest on the platforms out at sea and come to the scrape to collect nest material.  Always an impressive bird when seen close up.

We went in to the South Hide, mainly to try and find a summer plumaged Grey Plover.  We found the plover but it was much to far away and the heat haze made a photograph, even a record shot a waste of time.

Another bonus though was a first summer Little Gull, however it is in quite a bit of moult with wing and tail feathers growing.

I couldn't leave Minsmere without a photograph of an Avocet and this one was feeding in the shallow water along with a nice reflection.

As we walked back to the car park through the woodland this little Wren sat up nicely on a fallen trunk.

Minsmere always delivers, but even more so at this time of year, the two days here provided some quality birds and and some great photo opportunities.  I mustn't leave it so long for the next visit.

16th May - The Sailor's Path, Snape to Aldeburgh, Suffolk

We met with Friends today and decided to walk from our cottage to Aldeburgh.  Fortunately the footpath was just across the road from Snape Hall where we were staying, the footpath would pick up the Sailor's Path. The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

We were not visiting the Snape Maltings, but have been there before.  Snape Maltings rises above its surroundings like a great ship. Local businessman Newson Garrett built the Maltings in stages from 1846. The railway arrived in 1859 ensuring that the Maltings remained a viable business until it closed in 1965.  They are now an antiques and craft centre, plus a concert hall.

Having picked up the Sailor's Path it wound through farmland on a sandy path and then into oak and pine woodland.  A Jay, normally a shy bird, appeared on the fence close by.

The path continued through the woodland with singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff.  There was a section of boardwalk as we passed over streams, eventually coming out into the open at Hazelwood Marshes.

The River Alde has one of the most beautiful estuaries on the east coast. The river flows through wide marshes and low hills under a huge Suffolk sky. In the past, barges transported goods to and from Snape Maltings. The barges moored at Snape today are used for pleasure trips.

The tide was rising and there were a few waders on the mud.  This Redshank in breeding plumage.

And a few Oystercatcher.

Further away a pair of Avocet were engaged in their mating display.

After the detour to look at the marshes we returned to the path and walked past two singing Nightingale which were a surprise.

The path eventually reached the main road into Aldeburgh at the golf course and you then walk along a pavement past some very large houses finally coming into Aldeburgh's High Street.

We walked to the sea front and found somewhere to have fish and chips, after which we walked along the front and beach.

The coastal town of Aldeburgh is a popular place for holidays. In medieval times, the town had a successful shipbuilding industry. Fishing has also played an important role in the town’s economy. Aldeburgh still has a small fishing fleet and fresh fish can be bought from huts on the beach.

The coastal town of Aldeburgh is a popular place for holidays. In medieval times, the town had a successful shipbuilding industry. Fishing has also played an important role in the town’s economy. Aldeburgh still has a small fishing fleet and fresh fish can be bought from huts on the beach.

Herring Gulls patrolled the beach always on the look out for an easy meal.

At the northern end of the town's sea fron there were public toilets and for some reason the building was perfect for Swallows, that could be seen flying around the buildings and call all the time either in the air of actually on the building.

They clearly breed here and the birds were paired up and chattering away to each other.

Sitting together on the roof tops

So of course there was the chance to catch them in the air, but this was the best I could do.

We opted to avoid the walk back and instead managed to get a taxi.  The weather had been good to us on what was a lovely opportunity to catch up with friends.