RSPB Minsmere, 15th June 2024

A visit to Minsmere with the RSPB SE Herts Group. Again not the best weather but we managed to avoid most of the showers and had a few sunny breaks as well. The wind made it hard work looking for smaller birds but as ever, Minsmere always ensures a great day out. A few Barnacle Geese were present on the Scape.

As always, good numbers of Avocets.

A bit too early in the year for returning waders but we saw Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, Ringed Plover and a flock of non breeding Black-Tailed Godwits that every so often would take to the skies.

Unlike the previous year there were no nesting Little Terns but we saw three other species, firstly Common Tern. 

The star bird was non breeding Roseate Tern, a lifer for me! Totally black bill and very pale when seen in flight, much more delicate than a Common Tern. Sadly too distant for pictures. The final species were Sandwich Terns with good numbers present. The first shot shows the size difference with Common Tern.

Minsmere is always a good site for Mediterranean Gulls and I was lucky to have two birds fairly close in for some shots.

And finally on the Scrape a couple of Kittiwakes, with one being buzzed by a Sandwich Tern.

It was then on to the Bittern Hide narrowly avoiding a deluge! A few Marsh Harriers were present including this female.

I just missed great views of Bearded Tits at Island Mere hide, but this was more than compensated by some incredible views of Hobbies back at the Bittern hide.

A fantastic trip with great company and big thanks to Robert Kitchen for organising!