Waiting for Swallowtails something slunked into view at our feet. It took me a moment to place it. It just wasn’t immediate. It took a couple of seconds. A warbler deep inside a reedbed in June should be one of just a few species. This wasn’t one of them. It was out of context. God only knows what a Chiffchaff was doing trundling about around the foot of reeds but anyways it was. We watched it for a while before it slunk away as silently as it arrived.
I was sat alone in a hide on the coast here last week. To be honest I was just enjoying the peace and quiet and having a bit of a reflective moment. When I was jarred into life by the appearance of this little chap almost in my face. He popped out of the reeds right in front of me. He heard the camera shutter go off and ran back in as suddenly as he came out. Seeing Water Rails in good light is always a treat so when he came out again I just put the camera down and enjoyed him for a while.
The tour to Minsmere earlier this month was a good one with some excellent sightings as well as good company. A nice drake Garganey put in an appearance as did a Little Gull close in front of the hide. Even a Hobby or two were putting on a show between the sauntering’s of Marsh Harriers. The few waders we saw were in full summer garb. The Knot in particular, dressed in brick red were impressive. The distant high-pitched reeling of a Savi’s Warbler even caught our attention. This irregular visitor is not often seen but we got half decent repeated views of him sitting in a bush singing away with his bill wide agape. However, it was the Bitterns that made us smile; beating their way across the reeds and pools they took on the appearance of modern-day Pterodactyls. Next years day in May 2020 is up for bookings https://www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk/tours/special-day-tours/
On a tour recently to an area of extensive reedbed we were treated to superb and extended views of both Bittern and Bearded Tit.
I’m constantly surprised by how many of my guests have not seen Bearded Tit and wish to do so. It’s not a difficult species to see but knowing the call makes it soooo much easier.
I quite like Chinese Water Deer. They are very ‘bambi’ like. Much cuter than the rather brusk faced Muntjac. This one appeared out of the reedbed as we were waiting for Bittern. Although he was be-tusked and moulting he didn’t lose any of his charm.
At the end of last week a walk amid the reed beds gave us a few chance encounters with a few evasive Norfolk Hawkers. It was the guilt framed female Black tailed Skimmers however that wanted to play ball.
Letter From Norfolk 