Page 7 - Out Birding Winter 2023

by Lindsay who, unfortunately, had been delayed in New Zealand and was much missed. However, Jolyon and Robert, stalwarts of the annual Minsmere trips, kindly stepped in to co-ordinate the visit. With members from Herts, E Sussex, Suffolk, Essex, London and Yorkshire a􏰀ending, it was a great opportunity to rekindle friendships.
With a large reserve to survey we had a 10am start and only a few paces from the centre saw us stopping to admire the lively colony of Sand Mar􏰁n which annually inhabit the sand cliffs by the café. This, as always, proves an exci􏰁ng spectacle with the birds swooping low and fast over the adjacent pond. Nearby we took the oppor- tunity to use a viewing pla􏰂orm to look out over the scrapes and see Grey Heron, Black Headed Gull and Canada Goose around the reeds north of the West Scrape.
Heading into the North Hide we managed to secure a few seats between us on what was a very busy Saturday. Views over the West Scrape gave good sigh􏰁ngs of Mallard, Curlew, Avocet, Shelduck, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Black Tailed Godwit, Tu􏰃ed Duck, Barnacle Geese, and goslings, and a distant Spo􏰀ed Redshank, (of which we got be􏰀er sigh􏰁ngs later in East Hide). Also, along for a morning paddle were Coot, Greylag Geese, Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gull, Gadwall, Lapwing and Teal. Marsh Harrier soared over the reeds in the distance and a Sedge Warbler sang noisily from nearby reeds but gave us only flee􏰁ng glances un􏰁l later, when it stood ‘out and proud’. Woodpigeon passed by and a Li􏰀le Egret flew on, whilst Li􏰀le Grebe and Wig- eon dri􏰃ed around to pools looking for lunch.
Leaving the hide and moving along the North Wall, we enjoyed the company of Gold- finch, Magpie, Ce􏰄’s Warbler, Reed Bun􏰁ng, and Linnet. Jolyon managed a brief sight of a nearby Bi􏰀ern in flight, but this evaded the rest of us un􏰁l much later in the a􏰃ernoon. To my delight, we discovered that RSPB Minsmere has now laid a sturdy boardwalk inside the sea wall all the way to the East Hide. This allows those using mobility scooters, and others who struggle with, or prefer not to walk in, sand dunes access to the East Hide and views over the East Scrape. This held a wealth of birdlife, including many men􏰁oned above, but were joined by Egyp􏰁an Goose, Common Tern, Li􏰀le Tern, Li􏰀le Ringed Plover, Moorhen and Shoveler.
With hunger pangs calling, the group returned to the visitor centre via the coastal trail, sigh􏰁ng Common Whitethroat, Stonechat, Skylark, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and Chiffchaff. Taking 􏰁me to rest, lunch and enjoy the company of GBC members is always a pleasure, and today was no excep􏰁on. At this point Jolyon and Robert said goodbye and the rest of the group set out for the West of the reserve and the Mere Hide. A quiet 􏰁me but with Great Crested Grebe swimming around and allowing young on and off her back proving a delight. Jackdaw circled and sat on posts, but was seen off by a Carrion Crow who wanted the perch. Then a good sigh􏰁ng of Bi􏰀ern for the whole group. S􏰁cking its head up against the reeds had a hide of some 35 people squeezed at one end all trying to spot it “It’s there... to the right of that bloke’s head... between his right ear and the window frame... No it’s moved!... It’s back up again... To
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