Our May Birdwatching Group meeting took the form of a very enjoyable and successful visit to RSPB Minsmere, when we also welcomed a new member to our group.
The weather was fine and dry and the visit provided us with an excellent opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife.
This included a long list of bird species, (some of which were identified only with the valuable assistance of the on-hand RSPB experts), other wildlife, including Red Deer, a Muntjac Deer, a Slow worm, Dragonflies, Damsel Flies and a shoal of Roach.
A range of Butterfly species, including Orange Tip, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Large White, Peacock and Red Admiral, were also observed during our visit.
Unfortunately, none of our members actually saw a Bittern on this occasion, but at least one was seen (and heard) by other visitors to one of the hides we were in at the time!
Bird Species Lists:
| Seen and identified: | Heard, but not seen: | ||
| Shelduck (M+F) | Swift | Redshank (Common) - many | Bearded Tit (Bearded Reedling) |
| Marsh Harrier (M+F) | Wood Pigeon | Spotted Redshank – relatively uncommon | Song Thrush |
| Little Egret | Mallard (M+F and young) | Shoveler Duck | Long Tailed Tit |
| Black-headed Gull - many | Sand Martin | Black-tailed Godwit | Collared Dove |
| Tree Creeper | Magpie | Avocet (M+F) | Blackbird |
| Cormorant | Barnacle Goose (M+F) | Gadwall | Jackdaw |
| Coots (on nest and young) | Canada Goose (M+F and young) | Reed Warbler | |
| Heron | Greylag Goose (M+F and young) | Reed Bunting | |
| Great crested Grebe (M+F) | Mute Swan | Cettis Warbler | |
| Hobby - many | Blue Tit | Blackcap | |
| Tufted Duck (M+F) | Moorhen | Wren | |
| Lapwing (M+F) | Common Sandpiper | Chiffchaff | |
| Crow | Oyster Catcher | Great Tit |
Many thanks to all those who contributed to the above Species Lists on this occasion.
A small gallery of images from our visit can be found below. (Photos provided by Fred, John and Ian.)
I’m sure that, following our recent visit, we will be returning to RSPB Minsmere in the future.
Copyright Notice:
Please note that the Copyright for each of the photographs displayed on this page and any/all sub-pages remains with the original photographer who is/was a member of the Witham & District (Essex) u3a Birdwatching Group at the time of posting.
All rights reserved.
If you are interested in joining the group or would like further information, please Click on the 'Coordinator' link on the Birdwatching Group Home Page.