B****y weather, will the forecast ever get it right? good job we were in Stingray with Troy Tempest
at the helm. It was still raining on our arrival at the RSPB's premier reserve Minsmere, downing a coffee, a Mr Kipling cake , sandwich, a Kit Kat, a Jam tart, etc I managed to catch up with the rest of the crew.
Apart From Trish joining us, we were the only participants Troy (Bob) Wendy and myself and I'm pretty sure our dear friend, Graham was there in spirit.
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| Bearded Bellbird |
Sand martins whirring around like a cloud above their nesting chambers didn't seem to mind too
much about the rain. An interlude of, I think it was sunshine brought out a good selection of hover
flies and a few other bits and bobs, it wasn't long before Wendy picked up a Hobby probably picking
off some of the newly emerged dragonflies. As expected Little Egret and Marsh Harriers were soon added.
Mindfull of the dark clouds approaching, the Beach hide was beelined for, so not much time to look
for Wasp spiders, Lizards and the like.
Feeling hungry I ate another Kit Kat and a sandwich that Wend had brought. Munching away we
watched a perch full of Kittiwakes, the resident flock of Barnacles were about, as were around a
dozen or so sum plum Med Gulls. Also in their finery were beautiful Black Tailed Godwits. No sign
however of the infamous Black browed Albatross. Troy found our only yum yum Sandwich Tern.
Passing the sluice gates with more dark clouds arriving Wend' pointed out her second Hobby.
Moving ever onward I stopped for a general look for invertebrates, the only thing of note was one
of our lovely Soldier flies, this was a Flecked General don't you just love the names. Sadly it was
dead may be parasitised by something , don't ever come back as an insect!
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| One of a group of Linnets in the gorse |
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| Singing Golfinch |
We made our way back to the car park noting the Koniks, as I began to feel a little peckish.
Suitably refreshed, we reckon Trish had some Victoria sponge at the cafe, we trundled off to
the Tower hide, as I entered a Bittern was about to land in the reed bed directly in front of the hide.
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| A lot of neck |
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| Look at those long legs |
In all six different Bitterns showed in under one hour, as all this was going on a fine Short Eared Owl
was giving super views near the sluice but we were a little distant, with the threat of a good downpour we decide to remain in the hide.
Even with the inclement weather wildlife has to go on, we had homes to go to. Minsmere is a fare
distance to travel approximately two and a half hours from Northampton and its no mean feat to drive
all that way and back in a day, so many thanks from all to Bob for getting the business done.
Minsmere always has lots to offer, the warden told tales of Bee wolfs attacked and dismembered by
Wasps, flying Antlions, etcetera, won't belong before we're back then.
Anyways must go now, apparently my dinner is ready.
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