An amazing pair of bitterns and picture catch up

Its been a while but I have been busy birding and other stuff to write up the blog.

Its going to be brief but this is a snippet catch up, Mostly in pictures.

13th May, Went on a pre-work visit to Whitlingham with Lys, a lovely morning with birds singing and some showing well. 

42 Species seen.

Goldfinch, Wren, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Song thrush, Swallow, Mute swan, Lesser black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Greylag, Jackdaw, Egyptian Goose, Wood Pigeon,  Mallard, Reed Warbler, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Magpie, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Coot, Carrion Crow, Robin, Whitethroat, Treecreeper, Common tern, Great Crested Grebe, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail, Tufted Duck, Cormorant,  Herring Gull, Garden Warbler, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Jay, Long-tailed tit, Kestrel, Linnet, Willow warbler, Dunnock and House Martin

Then on the evening of the 14th May I re-visted and took Lys along to see the Bee-eater at Winterton. Birds like this cant be missed so wanted to give her the opportunity to see it.

We then walked up to see the seals.

On the evening of the 16th a friend found this Snow Bunting locally which was nice to see in the middle of May.

The 17th May a walk to work via the Cathedral allowed me to see the Peregrines.

26th May another pre work visit to Whitlingam.

42 Species seen on another good walk around.

Blackbird, Herring Gull, Mallard, Robin, Common Tern, Heron, Crow, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, Reed Warbler, Egyptian Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Magpie, Swift, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Swallow, Treecreeper, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Starling, Willow Warbler, Wren, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler (HO), Bullfinch (HO), Coot, Long-tailed Tit, Stock Dove, Cormorant,  Moorhen and Goldfinch

28th May, I went for the Black-eared Wheatear took the kids, no sign of it, But they loved seeing a Blackbird and Whitethroat and the beach of course.

In the evening of the 28th I went to the patch, I do need do a proper patch write up at some point as have been on it a lot. But here are a few pictures from then anyway.

Then on Sunday 29th May I went to Dunwich and Minsmere.  A fantstic days birding.

These Rabbits were being cutesy in the car park at Dunwich.

Chaffinch a Cetti's Warbler were also around the car park.

A few Dartford Warblers were about even though the wind was fairly strong.

A Stonechat was also present.

At Minsmere I headed for the Bittern Hide first seeing this Common Tern.

And this Marsh Harrier.

Also saw Bittern before heading to the Island Mere hide.

From here I saw another Bittern this Cormorant.

And a Otter!

This Green Woodpecker was on Whin Hill

Then I walked to the East Scrape, where this Redshank was just outside the hide.

This Long-tailed Duck was a bit distant.

Also saw Oystercather

Nesting Terns

Nesting Barnacle Geese

Avocet

Shelduck

More Terns

And a Sanderling

I then headed back to the Bittern Hide in the hope of see the Purple Heron, These Gulls seemed to be picking off Caddisfly from the reeds.

Then the wait for the Heron became great!! as a pair of Bitterns flew into the reeds in-front of the hide.

After ten minutes I spotted one in the reeds, and after about twenty minutes I managed to get another person on it. Slowly it came more into view.

Then both birds were visible.

They then done another fly past, (at which point the Purple Heron was seen again from the West Hide but missed by all in the Bittern hide as we were watching the Bitterns)

This time the landed again in-front off the hide but in a better view.

They eventually both flew off.

This Hobby was also about when all the Bittern action was happening.

I left for home with no Purple Heron but with view like that of two Bitterns I didnt really care. A great day at Minsmere. 85 Species seen on the day.

Then Yesterday I went to the patch and this is the results !!