Two early Minsmere mornings.

This time of year is generally a good time to try and see the Bitterns at Minsmere Reserve. So with that in mind I arrived at before first light on the 28th to sit for a few hours in one of the bird hides. I always like getting out before it gets light as not only am I in position and ready for when things are likely to happen, but also because I like to see things starting to wake up and move about ready for the new day ahead. You also sometimes see the night shift out and about before the sky statrs to lighten. Indeed, this morning I had seen two Barn Owls on the way there.

It wasn't long before the sky started to lighten and at this time of the year, dawn comes up fast so I didn't have long to wait before I could start to have a good look around with the binoculars. One of the first things I saw was my first House Martin of the year. It must have just been passing through as it carried straight on over the reed beds and I didn't see it again for the rest of the morning. What I did keep seeing though were Water Rails. I saw four or five different birds, but they were far too shy and would just pop out for a few seconds to feed and then dart back into the safety of the reed beds.

I did end up seeing three different Bitterns but all too far away and in flight and none showed in front of the hide. There were other things to get shots of though. Bearded Tits kept flitting about and there was also a lovely male Goldeneye out on the water. It was a Jack Snipe though that was putting on the best show. It was out for about two hours feeding in amongst the newly emerging reeds where they had been previously cut, and I was able to get one or two pleasing shots of it in its natural enviroment.

On the 30th I was back again before it was light. Once again I was to see three different Bitterns but again all in flight and too far off. This time though I did get shots of one of the Water Rail. Just as it was getting light I kept an eye out on one particular spot that one kept coming out of to feed when I was last there. Sure enough it appeared again. I just kept still and watched it the first time untill it went back in. I then got myself all set and waited for it to re-appear. As the time ticked by though, I was wondering if it was going to come back out at all, but then a movement caught my eye and I got ready to take some shots. As it happened it stayed out a bit longer this time and I was really pleased with what I got in the growing light of the dawn. One shot in particular as it cocked its head sideways to watch a distant Marsh Harrier.

Again there were several Bearded Tits about as well as two pairs of Reed Buntings and a Sedge Warbler. When the light was really good, a Little Grebe came right up to the front of the hide and caught a Stickleback and I was able to get some nice close-up shots of it. Little Grebes are one of those birds that I never get tired of taking shots of as they just seem to have a real endearing character. And where on my previous visit I had seen my first House Martin of the year, this time I saw my first Sand Martins and Swallows of the year. So I never got any shots of a Bittern, but to be honest, I did not care in the slightest as there had been plenty of other things about. If I don't get any shots I am never worried as its the being out and about I like. If I do get a shot its a bonus.