JACK SNIPE, Minsmere Island Mere (Sean Nixon) - consolation prize
SUNDAY 21 MARCH
The first day of spring and heralded by an absolutely gorgeous morning. Warm and sunny with clear, blue skies. Shortly after 7am, I received an awakening call informing me of the presence of a record-breaking flock of 7 Penduline Tits outside the Island Mere Hide at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk. What a bummer - I had only discussed the possibility of getting in the hide early with Matt Deans the evening before. So, as it was, I rushed up and set out to drive the 153 miles from my house to the reserve. Before doing so however, I diverted to Ivinghoe to notch up Northern Wheatear.......
IVINGHOE HILLS NR (BUCKS)
Following up an early morning message from Dave Bilcock, I quickly located 3 NORTHERN WHEATEARS (1 male) on the slope above the sheep pens, just SE of the beacon. These were the first in the area this year and consequently my first - species 220.
MINSMERE RSPB (SUFFOLK)
(midday through 1600 hours)
Just my bleeding luck. After receiving a text from Matt Deans that 1 Penduline Tit was on view from the Island Mere hide, I sprinted down the Rhododendron Tunnel and track as fast as I could. What I didn't realise is, being a weekend, the hide was absolutely crammed full of people and there was no way whatsoever of battling a way through. When cascades of them started to flop out on to the boardwalk behind, I realised that something was awry, and instantly feared that it was bad news. No time at all was wasted in informing me that the bird had flown and jubilant observers all round were celebrating the fact that their 3-5 hour vigil had been worth it. It transpired that the 7 Penduline Tits had not been seen since their 20 minute showing to 0720 and this single individual hade appeared at midday for just four minutes only.
With so many observers departing, it was easy for me to get a front seat in the upper deck of the hide. I joined Matt Deans, Pete Milford, and others and sat down for the long haul. After all, I had already put in 15 or so hours for Penduline Tit this year so what would a few more change.
Two JACK SNIPES were both showing very well in the cut reed areas carefully designed with this in mind, along with 1-2 Common Snipe. MARSH HARRIERS were very active, with up to 8 individuals constantly on view and in full display. CETTI'S WARBLERS too were very vocal, with the odd Water Rail 'screaming' from the reeds.
The main mere held Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Northern Pochard, with two adult MEDITERRANEAN GULLS flycatching high overhead with Black-headed Gulls, and a darting COMMON KINGFISHER shooting over the reeds.
EURASIAN BITTERNS were fairly active, with different singles seen in flight at 1314, 1502 and 1550 hours, whilst pride of place went to BEARDED TITS, with a gorgeous pair performing for ten minutes at the edge of the reedbed just to the right of the hide.
As the afternoon progressed, I quickly started to lose faith, as the cloud moved in and the wind freshened up. It came as no surprise to me to see no further activity by the phragmites dwellers and after four hours of intensive watching, I decided to call it a day. Others sat for a further two hours but still no joy. In fact, they weren't seen again. Penduline Tits are just so unpredictable.
The first day of spring and heralded by an absolutely gorgeous morning. Warm and sunny with clear, blue skies. Shortly after 7am, I received an awakening call informing me of the presence of a record-breaking flock of 7 Penduline Tits outside the Island Mere Hide at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk. What a bummer - I had only discussed the possibility of getting in the hide early with Matt Deans the evening before. So, as it was, I rushed up and set out to drive the 153 miles from my house to the reserve. Before doing so however, I diverted to Ivinghoe to notch up Northern Wheatear.......
IVINGHOE HILLS NR (BUCKS)
Following up an early morning message from Dave Bilcock, I quickly located 3 NORTHERN WHEATEARS (1 male) on the slope above the sheep pens, just SE of the beacon. These were the first in the area this year and consequently my first - species 220.
MINSMERE RSPB (SUFFOLK)
(midday through 1600 hours)
Just my bleeding luck. After receiving a text from Matt Deans that 1 Penduline Tit was on view from the Island Mere hide, I sprinted down the Rhododendron Tunnel and track as fast as I could. What I didn't realise is, being a weekend, the hide was absolutely crammed full of people and there was no way whatsoever of battling a way through. When cascades of them started to flop out on to the boardwalk behind, I realised that something was awry, and instantly feared that it was bad news. No time at all was wasted in informing me that the bird had flown and jubilant observers all round were celebrating the fact that their 3-5 hour vigil had been worth it. It transpired that the 7 Penduline Tits had not been seen since their 20 minute showing to 0720 and this single individual hade appeared at midday for just four minutes only.
With so many observers departing, it was easy for me to get a front seat in the upper deck of the hide. I joined Matt Deans, Pete Milford, and others and sat down for the long haul. After all, I had already put in 15 or so hours for Penduline Tit this year so what would a few more change.
Two JACK SNIPES were both showing very well in the cut reed areas carefully designed with this in mind, along with 1-2 Common Snipe. MARSH HARRIERS were very active, with up to 8 individuals constantly on view and in full display. CETTI'S WARBLERS too were very vocal, with the odd Water Rail 'screaming' from the reeds.
The main mere held Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Northern Pochard, with two adult MEDITERRANEAN GULLS flycatching high overhead with Black-headed Gulls, and a darting COMMON KINGFISHER shooting over the reeds.
EURASIAN BITTERNS were fairly active, with different singles seen in flight at 1314, 1502 and 1550 hours, whilst pride of place went to BEARDED TITS, with a gorgeous pair performing for ten minutes at the edge of the reedbed just to the right of the hide.
As the afternoon progressed, I quickly started to lose faith, as the cloud moved in and the wind freshened up. It came as no surprise to me to see no further activity by the phragmites dwellers and after four hours of intensive watching, I decided to call it a day. Others sat for a further two hours but still no joy. In fact, they weren't seen again. Penduline Tits are just so unpredictable.
Cracking blog !
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