Late Swallows

Once again an unpromising weekend was transformed by the discovery of a couple of good birds late yesterday afternoon, a Cliff Swallow at Minsmere and an Eyebrowed Thrush in Northumberland, with the news that the Swallow was seen going to roost Me, Mark and Darren along with Bob and Dave from Rochdale decided to take that option. An early start saw us down at Minsmere for first light and it wasn’t long before the shout went up and we got brief views as the bird passed overhead with a small group of “Barn” Swallows but they were then lost to view and it was then an anxious 30-40 mins wait before the group was relocated over some grassland just east of the visitor centre although they then showed very well perching on Hawthorn Bushes and making short feeding forays as the day gradually warmed up, a superb lifer for us all. The birds eventually became more mobile and disappeared again so we had wander down to the East Hide, several Cetti’s Warblers were singing away and five Bewick’s Swans were on the scrape then early afternoon we headed to nearby Dunwich Heath where three or four Dartford Warblers were seen, with the day a resounding success we set off home to get back for a reasonable time. No news on the Thrush today so we made the right choice.

Cliff Swallow bottom middle surrounded by its European cousins

just record shots, we never got close to it

Teal from the East Hide

plus Bewick's Swan