10/05/2015 Minsmere

Sunday 10th May 2015
Minsmere
East Grinstead RSPB Group Outing

18 of us made the annual pilgrimage to Minsmere on a fine, breezy and overcast day.

The highlights were:

• We were greeted by scores of Sandmartins as we entered the reserve through the visitors centre.  This has to be one of the best sites in the country for seeing this lovely species.

• No sooner had we finished with the Sandmartins  than we were privileged to come across the Bearded Tits with at least 6 sightings being made.  A couple of them gave excellent views.  The birds were flying around the reeds quite regularly but did not stay put for any great length of time.

• My particular favourite was the sight of Hobbies in flight - I counted at least 5 and staff told us there were at least 9 earlier.

• Minsmere also specialises in Bitterns and although there were lots showing early on I only managed to see one late in the afternoon but what a great view as the bird relocated some 50 metres allowing us to observe it's flight.

• Another Minsmere speciality is the Marsh Harrier and we saw several in the afternoon.

• A significant number of Avocets were on site, providing the glamour. 

   We  spent some time looking for the Stone Curlews but the viewing point was too far away from the nest to allow us succeed.  No doubt the Springwatch team will have better views when they arrive soon and we can see what we missed on the telly.  




A really good trip with well over 60 species seen.




Today's Species List
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Barnacle Goose
Shelduck
Gadwall
Mallard
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Little Grebe   (10)
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Bittern
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Spoonbill
Marsh Harrier
Hobby
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet   (20)
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
Lapwing
Dunlin
Black-tailed Godwit
Curlew
Redshank
Common Sandpiper
Turnstone
Black-headed Gull   (30)
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Sand Martin
Swallow   (40)
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Cetti's Warbler (h)
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat   (50)
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Jay
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling
Chaffinch   (60)
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Reed Bunting
Bearded Tit