A Close Encounter of the Best Kind at Minsmere

It was a bit of a wet and windy morning on Friday so we decided to give the Minsmere RSPB a look (hides to shelter from the rain and wind), I turned out to be a great decision, as this cracking Bittern made a very close appearance for about 20 mins 

WHO ARE YOU STARING AT !!!!

PIED WHEATEAR and other birds in Suffolk over the past few weeks

Another life tick for me was the arrival of a very smart male PIED WHEATEAR at Landguard

These two ladies and a barking dog must have wondered why so many photographers were taking photos of a bramble bush !!!

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This Autumn has seen a enormous influx of GOLDCREST on the Suffolk Coast these ones at Shingle Street

Also at Shingle Street two BLACK REDSTARTS were present for few days

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at Hollesley distant but third there this year

I heard this lovely  WOODLARK singing and I could not see him then I spotted him hunkered down on a wooden post.

ROCK PIPIT at Gedgrave 

Whilst I was waiting for the SEO's these Mute Swans flew right over my head at Orford

Short Eared Owls arrive in Suffolk

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the wintering Short-eared Owls back to Suffolk, there were several of them turned up locally, Shingle Street and Gedgrave. 

But I fear that the will not stay for long as there is a shortage of voles.

My first sighting this Autumn was at East Lane 

on 22nd of October 

(I have a feeling this one has been in the area all summer)

( as I spotted him in the same place in July)

Then Veronica and I gave Shingle Street a look and we were very lucky to spot one and it landed on the salting so we managed to get a quick photo 

I went back the next day waited for 2 hours with no luck, but was just about to get into my car as the light was fading and the sun was setting, when one appeared I managed to get some distant photos with the setting sun.

Went back with Veronica the next day but no joy, but got this photo of Veronica with the setting sun behind her

On the way home over Upper Hollesley Common snapped this scene

Then Veronica and I decided to give Gedgrave a check for the Short-eared Owls, were we lucky found one which was very elusive it hid up behind some reeds Veronica went one side and me the other side, unfortunately for Veronica it was my side 

where is it ??

Another visit was more productive found three hunting at Gedgrave, the only was it was very misty

This fella came of worst when three of them had a battle, he damaged to his left eye.

Next day went back and one showed very briefly but this time some sun

That was on 3rd Nov and I have had distant views since but only once in several visits to Gedgrave and sadly this week Veronica found one dead at Orford, so lets keep our fingers crossed and hope when this wind stops blowing they will show again.