A week in Suffolk.

Glossy Ibis...Minsmere 

We have just arrived back from  10 days in Suffolk, staying at Thorpeness just a few miles south of RSPB Minsmere. Having had many holidays since our first visit in 1970 we really do know the area very well!

We visited Minsmere almost every day, usually in the morning and again in the evening before or after closing time to avoid the busy visitor time. The morning visit would conclude at the cafe  coinciding with their opening time at 10.00. (They do serve good hot chocolate and an excellent range of cakes and we were on holiday!)

Birding never disappoints and this year was no exception except that we happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time on no less than four occasions and dipped out on....5 Bee-Eaters, a Golden Oriole, 2 Cranes and a Purple Heron!  But that's birding!

The two Glossies were good to see, the Stone Curlews were in their usual site (but no photos this time) and most of the usual suspects were showing well.  We saw, on two separate occasions, a stoat transferring her kits to a new home but again no photo!

However here are a few photos mostly taken at Minsmere during our stay.

Bittern

Great White Egret

Grey Heron...closeup

Egyptian Goose

Canada Goose family

Shoveler (drake)

Gadwall

Pochard

Turnstone

Common Sandpiper

Avocet

Common Tern

Common Gull

Kittiwake

Marsh Harrier being harassed by Black Tailed Godwits

Marsh Harrier

Hobby

Dartford Warbler...Dunwich Heath

Whitethroat

Reed Warbler

Sedge Warbler

...and finally  a Painted Lady.

A good week and good weather!