Minsmere in March

Saturday saw an enjoyable few hours spent at Minsmere RSPB Reserve in sunny, mild conditions. Black-headed Gull's filled the scrape Islands with noisy interactions and courtships, 12+ smart Med Gulls were noted amongst them, most now in full summer plumage. Island Mere hide did not give us the Penduline Tits we hoped for but the sight of a Bittern, fully visible out in front of the hide was compensation enough! I got a few shots of it hunting and feeding - a real treat! A Jack Snipe bobbed about nearby too & Marsh Harriers jostled with each other & dived down into their reedbed nest sites. On the way back to the main cafe building for lunch we heard a Firecrest in deep scrub. I managed a few record shots of this little gem . . .