No Adders

On Wednesday 18th March, I drove to Minsmere, I initially looked by the Sand Martin bank and was pleased to see 1 and then 4 Sand Martins flying around here but I could not see any Adders in the usual spot. This was repeated along the Dunes despite a 2.5 hour search I didn't see any Adders here either, although one was seen near the public hide path to the beach, but not by me. Very disappointing. In my search I saw my first butterfly of the year a Peacock that briefly settled plus a Viviparous Common Lizard, scuttling over the grassy fronds and into cover. No sign of the Slav grebe on South Scrape but several 5 Mediterranean Gull heard and seen. From east Scrape I couldn't see the Little Stint over on west but I did see 1 Ruff and 4 Black- tailed Godwits. I walked back to the path back from the North wall near the SC field and on its eastern border I saw Carl B and John G. and they pointed out a delightful female Black Redstart perched on the edge of a bush. I joined Carl walking over to West Hide and aftr a short while, I added to my Ruff tally when we saw 2 Ruff on the muddy bund stretching out east from the hide and then the fine Little Stint flew in here, gradually working its way feeding closer along the southern edge. It had a subdued greyish back (rather than the striking yellow lined back of immatures in autumn) but the legs were black.