We arrived in the car park before ten o’clock and, as the cafe was not yet open, set off to the North Hide picking up Sand Martins and the usual finches and tits on the feeders.  As we settled down in the hide we all immediately locked on to a female Sparrowhawk sitting on a post some distance away but not too far away to see her fierce eyes and talons.  There were a number of ducks and geese on the pools and a distant Little Egret was spotted.  We then walked clockwise along the North Wall adding Marsh Harrier, Sedge and Reed Warblers to our list before coming down to the sea-edge.  Here we added a couple of Tern species and as we entered the East Hide a Cetti’s Warbler welcomed us.

There was very little on the Scrape so we soon moved on to the public viewpoint where a few more birds were seen.  A solitary Green Sandpiper was asleep near a small island and three Little Terns joined him before we moved on.  We continued towards the Sluice and noted several butterflies (Small Copper, Common Blue, Gatekeepers and Essex Skipper) and dragonflies (Emperor, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker).  As we walked on towards South Hide an obliging young Bearded Tit showed well and some of the group heard the distant deep boom of a Bittern.  Lone Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit were added to the list.  It was now after 1 o’clock so we headed back to the cars for lunch.

After our break and with the day getting warmer we set off for Island Mere Hide.  Through the woods a pair of Marsh Tits were heard and then seen.  But little else.  Along the way the butterfly enthusiasts had a treat watching several Purple Hairstreaks among the tops of oak trees.  From the hide we were treated to another perching Sparrowhawk, this time a male.  There were plenty of ducks and grebes and our list was now over sixty species.  We decided to get back to the cars and head for Westleton Heath in the hope of seeing Dartford Warblers.  After only a short walk up the heath we heard and then saw one as it flicked along the heather on the skyline.  Our last sighting of the day was a fine male Stonechat.  We headed back to the cars and home.  A great day out and many thanks to Colin for organising and leading the walk.
71 Species recorded :-
Sand Martin, Pheasant, Sedge Warbler, Starling, Pochard, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Gadwall, Little Tern, Wigeon, Goldfinch, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Swift, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Great B;acl-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Tit, Greylag Goose, Reed Warbler, Bearded Tit, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Yellowhammer, Swallow, Lapwing, Feral Pigeon, Mute Swan, Stonechat, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Linnet, Little Grebe, Jackdaw, Jay, Mallard, Sandwich Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Dartford Warbler, Moorhen, Teal, Common Tern, Shelduck, Skylark, Robin, Avocet, Cetti’s Warbler, Curlew, Whimbrel, Treecreeper, Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Bittern, Woodpigeon, Coot, Meadow Pipit, Tufted Duck, Green Woodpecker, Barnacle Goose, Oystercatcher, Marsh Tit, Wren, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greenshank, Great Crested Grebe