Late start to a day around Westleton Heath & Minsmere

On Saturday 13th June, a late start meant I didn't reach Westleton Heath until 1.30pm, the news wasn't good as the RFF hadn't been seen for an hour but I met Paul & Jane F. who drove up to the parking area near the quarry. We then heard the Gull- billed Tern had been seen at Island Mere, so we drove to Minsmere and parked up only to hear the bird had flown off. We guessed it might fly over to the Scrape, so we walked to the West Scrape hide and I spotted a fine immature Spoonbill over the north side of the Scrape nearer the North Hide. Meanwhile on an island at the back of the West Scrape, 2 fine Little- ringed Plovers were running around. We then walked to South Hide, There were the usual assortment of Terns and I spotted the 1st year Little Gull to the right of the bund splashiong in the water. A kiitiwake flew onto the wooden step, as did a Common Tern later. By the bunds at the back, a Roseate Tern seen just to the left of a BH Gull and an immature bird. We then saw a strange looking Mediterranean Gull type with black hood but covering the same hooded area as a BH Gull, a blood red but thin bill (shape like a BH Gull bill) and black edgings in the primaries like a second year bird, probably a hybrid. Meanwhile at the back the Roseate Terns flew up, 2 birds and we followed one bird that flew over to our side and briefly settled on a small circular island with Common Terns, when it flew again another followed the Roseate Tern with a Sandeel in its mouth. The 3 adult Spoonbills flew over and south and settled on the southside of the south scrape. Later the trio of Spoonbills became a quartet when the juvenile Spoonbill joined them. One or two Black- tailed Godwits also seen and many Sandwich Terns c50 & c20 Kittiwakes at the back. Very satisfied, we left and I stopped off and saw 2 red and black Firebugs together, I went to retrieve my macro lens but they had gone when I went back. I then parked up by the area near the Westleton Heath quarry and news wasn't good here as a chap walking back said he had been there for 9o minutes not seeing the Falcon. I walked up and I saw a Falcon just east of the path in a Silver Birch, checking it with the Bins it looked very promising and using the cope confirmed it was the excellent 2nd calendar year female Red- footed Falcon. I quickly sent messages around all the Whats App groups. The female Red- foot sat here for around 20 minutes occasionally dropping to the ground before returning to the same tree before she flew away. I then went over to another area and saw a fine Little Owl in the 4th Oak tree, nearby a female Stonechat was also seen. I walked back and saw Tim O. where the bird had been seen over the road, we walked over and it was perched up on a distant Pine it flew a little closer where it was perched on a dead tree before it flew straight towards us and then left. I heard a Dartford Warbler and Wood Lark singing, whilst I walked back to the car I decided to call it a day but Tom O. and a newlyu arrived Phil D. walked back to the quarry and east.