Early bird catches the Stork!

On Saturday 18th March, I was down by the layby by 7.30am and The excellent White Stork was very briefly on the ground before flying up to the dead tree. Andrew E joined me and while we were watching it, A male Yellowhammer was perched on top of a bush in the far ground and the first Chiff- Chaff of the year was heard singing. The White Stork perched near the top, looking around and then flapping its wings. At 8.12am, it then flew circled flew over us and west towards Henstead village & beyond. I then went onto Minsmere, a quick comfort break just as I turned off towards Minsmere revealed a fine Woodcock flying south along the road and over the heath. At Minsmere, no sign of any Cranes from Whin Hill lookout under the Sand Martin cliff, typically no sign of any Adders & on the walk to North hide, I saw and heard an active Chiff- Chaff singing, nothing really seen on the scrape, save for 3 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls & 3 Black- tailed Godwit. Walking back to the car park, a singing Coal Tit seen in a tree and a Marsh Tit visited the feeders. Overall, a very disappointing trip to Minsmere particularly when I heard the Cranes, Goosander and the Black Adder were seen later in the day.