Missed again at Minsmere

On Wednesday May afternoon, hearing of a Gull- billed Tern I left straight away and was very disappointed to hear it had flown off when I arrived at Minsmere car park, both Jon B. and Jane F. informed me it had gone. The Rosy Tern's were also not present, I always struggle with seeing this species at Minsmere. All 3 Terns had been seen twenty minutes previously. On the North Girder, 40+ Sandwich Terns seen, c15 Common Terns plus a Dunlin too. On the bund closer to the South Hide, 7 Little Tern seen. A flock of 40+ Black- tailed Godwits seen in the soth-east corner of west scrape. A stop off nearby revealed a Stone Curlew quite close but unfortunately the bright setting sun was directly behind it. plus a Dunlin too.

Birds on train journey

On the train journey down to Ipswich & London on 16th May, a Cuckoo seen flying around the marshes at melton and a very showy Collared Dove at Ipswich station.

Carlton Temminck's

On 15th May, directly after work I walked down to Carlton near the end, I saw a Cuckoo fly into a bush calling before it flew back towards Jenson's island. I was very disappointed to see some Toggers walk right up to the previously showy Hobby and flush it and I saw it fly south and then over Jenson's island. I walked over to the far end of Peto's and was initially unsure where the Temmick's was, I initially saw a Common Sandpiper fly in and then the far end of the pool I saw the fine Temmick's Stint walking left and constantly feeding.

Hoopoe singing in the rain?

On Thursday 14th May, at 6.39am the ever dependable Andrew E. posted that the Hoopoe was singing from the rooftops but it was cheucking down with rain where we were barely a mile away! When the rain stopped not long afterwards I drove over 7.40- 8.05am, as I walked down Mutford Drive I could hear the Hoopoe singing 'hoopoo-poo...hoopo-poo' but I couldn't see it so I walked to the end of Lakeland Drive, no sign there either, walking back to Mutford Drive just before 8am I heard it again calling just west of the end of Mutford Drive. I scanned across and on the aerial I immediately saw the fantastic Hoopoe perched on an aerial, it later flew onto the roof, perched here for a minute or so before a movement in the garden of the end house it flew east and out of sight. Later, on as I arrived home from work a House Martin was flying low over our front garden.

Evening Dip

A return to Mutford Close 6.20opm, typically the bird had been sighted 10 minutes after I had left, I saw Andrew E. and Rob Wil. who had seen the Hoopoe 5X in flight up to 6.10pm, (I was back there at 6.15pm) during a brief sunny spell, the bird had been recently calling but typically it had stopped calling and didn't show in the sunny spell that lasted all of 10 minutes before black cloud again rolled in again with rain, Rob H. and James W. arrived and I left again at 6.50pm. Before I left I did see a Great- spotted Woodpecker fly onto a feeder but then it flew off again.

Spring dipping sequence continues

On 13th May, rather appropriately, my annual spring dipping sequence is now reaching epic proportions, just after 3.50pm I arrived at Lakeland Drive/ Mutford Close, I initially saw Rob Wil. and Nick, no sign in 2 hours (Carl B. & others joined us) looking (left at 5.50pm)and was drenched twice having to endure worsening conditions with squally showers. A Marsh Harrier flew overhead and north-east.

Hoopoe no show

On Monday 11th May, a look directly after work for a Hoopoe along Lakeland Drive and nearby Normanston Park proved fruitless as there was no sign and an early rain shower made my mind up and I left!