Spring is here!

Yesterday, Dad and I went to Minsmere, in hope of some spring migrants. The day started off very well with our 2nd ever Blackcap singing and showing well in our garden.

We got to Minsmere, and the first birds were about 15 Sand Martins on the sand banks by the visitor center...

We then got a singing Willow Warbler outside North Hide which was a very early spring migrant for me. In North Hide, we got Avocet, Ruff and Common Snipe.

We saw a Stone-curlew in the usual place, but there was a heat haze and it wasn't moving, so not very exciting to watch. Out to sea, we got about 30 Red-throated Divers, which was a nice surprise, as we thought they would have gone by now. In East Hide, we got 3 Mediterranean Gull, Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Ruff, Dunlin, Turnstone, Avocet, 3+ Caspian Gull, Pintail but no Spotted Redshank nor Grey Plover (as the were both reported)...

We then went up to South Levels, but didn't see the reported Short-eared Owl nor the Spoonbill. We carried on round the scrape, and didn't see Swallow nor House Martin (as the they were both reported too). We then got a very showy Cetti's Warbler outside South Hide.

We then went to Island Mere. But on the way, we got a few Adder in their usual place...

And a very showy Robin...

We got a cracking Jack Snipe by the hide, but not much else.

Dads

 Mine

In Bittern hide, we got a brief Bittern and Bearded Tit. Could have seen a lot more, but an enjoyable spring walk around the reserve.

Happy Birding!

Isle of Mull - Final Day

The Final Day of Mull was a bit of a miserable one in terms of weather. Most of the time it was OK, just overcast, misty and the odd shower. We went to Beach - "Beak" - to try for the Adder, and the possibility of getting a Dipper on the river. We started off with a nice Whinchat, but it's not the greatest picture.

We then went to the top of the river, when Dad spotted a Dipper feeding a bit further down. We couldn't get any closer, so that was a shame.

We then went looking for the Adders, when I found one in a tussock of grass.

We then went down to Fidden again, maybe seeing the Tree Sparrow again. No sign of that, but we did get a cracking Skylark.

In the evening, we stayed up late at the back of Loch Scridain, to look for the Otters. We got cracking views of at least two fishing. Light was awful though.

We then got great views of a male Hen Harrier to end the day

Great to see Murray in the Wimbledon Final. He is doing well. Hopefully this time he will win. Fingers crossed.

Happy Birding!