28.05.2023 - Field Trip : Westleton Heath & RSPB Minsmere

​Leaders: Sue Gale & Colin Fenn
Reporter & Bird List: David Laurie

At 7:30 we gathered in a layby at a footpath onto Westleton Heath (just to the North of Minsmere). There was a Chiffchaff overhead and a Blackcap and soon after we set off there was a singing Nightingale which was seen by a fortunate few. Further on a view over a field to the right gave us a pair of Stone-curlews with two chicks, welcome evidence of successful breeding. Moving on we came upon a substantial herd of Red Deer and a gorse patch with a Dartford Warbler, again seen by a few of us, and a fine male Yellowhammer. On the grassland behind was another Stone-curlew which gave us much closer views. A little further on a pit to the left of the path had nesting Sand Martins, while on the edge were Woodlarks and a splendid Wheatear. All of which made an excellent start to a clear, sunny and warming day.

Returning along the path we discussed trying for a Golden Oriole reported in the near vicinity, but a stop there for information from other birders indicated it had not been heard since the early morning, so we pressed on to Minsmere car park where others were joining us. After a pause for refreshments at the cafe we walked to the North Hide for an assortment of ducks, geese, waders and a Sparrowhawk.
Then it was down towards the sea and the new boardwalk leading to the East Hide. On the way we were treated to the sight of two Bitterns in flight, perhaps heading to or from a nest of hungry youngsters.
The boardwalk had singing Reed Warblers but, on this occasion, no Bearded Tits. The hide overlooking the East Scrape gave us views of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, a group of five Sanderling including one with its rufous-headed summer plumage,
nesting Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls with newly hatched chicks. Sadly, there were also a few dead Black-headed Gulls, likely victims of Avian Influenza. Ducks included Mallard, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Tufted Duck and Shelduck while among them were Greylag, Canada, Barnacle and Egyptian Geese.
Walking towards the Sluice we saw several Stonechats, including one juvenile, and a Whitethroat. Back on the reserve at the South Hide we found a couple of Turnstones with their tan coloured back and white head summer plumage, a single Dunlin and a Grey Plover.
At the Wildlife Lookout a pair of Garganey were showing well and there was a Redshank to add to the wader list while from the back of the hide a Bittern was seen flying over the North Levels. This was possibly a third bird or one of the two seen earlier on another feeding flight.
After a break for lunch at the cafe some had to leave but the rest of us headed for the Bittern Hide where a Cetti's Warbler was singing very loudly. There was a Grey Heron in front of the hide and Marsh Harriers floating over the reedbed.
​Moving on towards the Mere Hide we found several Norfolk Hawker dragonflies circling in a sheltered glade amongst the trees and on arrival at the lake we added Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant and Bearded Tit to our list, the latter flitting over the reeds before diving in out of the brisk NE wind. Over the mere there were Swifts and good views of a Hobby feeding on flying insects.
It was an excellent day, with a total of 81 bird species seen, and our thanks go to Sue and Colin for leading the outing. But spare a thought for Seamus, who due to a car problem had to wait all day in the car park for the repairer to arrive.

Bird list:
Westleton Heath - W, Minsmere - M

Avocet M
Barnacle Goose M
Bearded Tit M
Bittern M
Black-headed Gull W M
Black-tailed Godwit M
Blackbird M
Blackcap W M
Blue Tit W M
Buzzard W M
Canada Goose M
Carrion Crow W M
Cetti's Warbler M
Chaffinch W M
Chiffchaff W M
Common Sandpiper M
Common Tern M
Coot M
Cormorant M
Dartford Warbler W
Dunlin M
Dunnock M
Egyptian Goose M
Gadwall M
Garden Warbler W
Garganey M
Goldfinch M
Great Black-backed Gull M
Great Crested Grebe M
Great Spotted Woodpecker W
Great Tit M
Grey Heron W M
Grey Plover M
Greylag Goose W M
Herring Gull M
Hobby M
Jackdaw W M
Kestrel M
Lapwing M
Lesser Black-backed Gull W M
Linnet M
Little Egret M
Magpie M
Mallard M
Marsh Harrier M
Moorhen M
Mute Swan M
Nightingale W
Oystercatcher M
Pheasant W
Pied Wagtail M
Pintail M
Pochard M
Redshank M
Reed Bunting M
Reed Warbler M
Ringed Plover M
Robin W M 
Rook W
Sand Martin W M
Sanderling M
Sedge Warbler M
Shelduck W M
Shoveler M
Skylark W M
Sparrowhawk M
Stone-curlew W
Stonechat W M
Swallow M
Swift M
Teal M
Treecreeper M
Tufted Duck M
TurnstoneM
Wheatear W
Whitethroat W M
Wigeon M
Woodlark W
Woodpigeon W M
Wren W M
Yellowhammer W

Plus:
4-spotted Chaser M
Norfolk Hawker M
Azure Damselfly M
Variable Damselfly M
Common Blue M
Orange Tip M
Red Admiral M
Grey Squirrel M
Rabbit W M
Red Deer W