Nov 27th Minsmere

Grey Squirrel

November at Minsmere is not exactly the busiest time of the year at the reserve, but that doesn't mean we weren't going to see anything during our visit today. Even at the feeders around the visitor centre, we saw plenty of birds attracted to them. However, there were also plenty of squirrels on the feeders too and they provided a lot of entertainment as we watched them hang upside down and squeezing their heads through the squirrel guard that was meant to keep them out.



Bittern

During this visit, we decided to mix things up and walk to the Island Mere Hide for a change. It turned out to be a good decision. As soon as we entered the hide, it suddenly rained very heavily. We got inside just in time! But that was not all. While finding a seat, I noticed that the man sitting next to us was pointing at something for us. I was unsure what he was showing us at first, but then I found it. Standing in the channel of water just a few metres from the hide, half hidden in a small patch of reeds was a bittern! The reeds weren't enough to cover it completely, but with its cryptic camouflage, it blended within it easily. For some time, it stood perfectly still in the water, occasionally switching from standing up to craning its neck low over the water's surface with one eye scanning for a potential meal swimming beneath it. It turned out to be unsuccessful during the time we were watching it. But then the bittern got agitated by an approaching heron and it became a bit more mobile. As a threat to the heron (and perhaps us inside the hide), it moved out of the water and stood upright with it's body stretched as tall as it could as if it was part of a reed bed. It also puffed out it's feathers and raised it's crest a few times, too. It worked and the heron stayed away.

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Cormorants

Bewick's Swans

This bittern was without doubt the highlight of the day. It had everyone mesmerised with it's every movement (or lack of as it was sometimes the case). However, we didn't actually come to this hide hoping to see a bittern. I was told that some Bewick's swans were reported here earlier this morning. It was these birds that I wanted to see. But scanning the mere, all I could see were mute swans. It seemed I was too late. Fortunately, though, while waiting for the rain to stop and admiring the bittern at the same time, I heard a sound that I had me relieved. It was the sound of honking Bewick's swans. I scanned the broad again and there they were. At least 3 or 4 of them. I was very pleased. These swans have come all the way from the Siberian tundra to be here as a family. And, as if their presence has made it happen, the rain stopped. We made the most of the good spell in the weather and popped into Bittern Hide, where we saw marsh harriers and another bittern plunging into the reed beds at the back of the pools there (though it could be the same one from Island Mere).

Bewick's Swans flying away

After lunch, we walked to the beach and to East Hide. From here, I managed to spot more Bewick's swans, about 6-7 of them, before they took off and flew towards Island Mere Hide. There were also plenty of teal, gadwall, wigeon and shelducks in front of the hide as well as avocets and black-tailed godwits, which were a bit further away. Konick ponies were about on the scrapes too, busy grazing the islands while a small flock of starlings perched on their backs. As we were about to leave the reserve, we saw a goldcrest flitting about in the branches at eye level. It was a perfect send off for a great day at Minsmere.

Gadwall

Teal

Wigeon

Black-tailed Godwit

Shelduck

Konik Ponies

Goldcrest