Trying to avoid the worst of the predicted all day rain near home we headed away from Essex and Kent and instead headed for Suffolk.
Arriving at Landguard Nature Reserve shortly before 7.30, we were met with muggy, murky weather with light drizzly rain falling. Taking the road towards the car park outside Landguard Fort, we made our way through the gates and started checking the surrounding area for anything that may have dropped in overnight.
Having walked the fence line of the bird observatory without much being found, I decided to walk towards the beach and check that out.
Linnets were present in good numbers and a Sparrowhawk was seen at close quarters trying to take one for it's breakfast.
Meeting up with dad on the shingle, He had found a a very confiding Golden Plover.
Further along the shingle I spotted a single Whinchat and on the short grass a single female Wheatear. Approaching the bird observatory fence again, one of the bird ringers called out to us and asked if we wanted to take a look at a Pied Flycatcher that they had just caught in the nets.
Having walked the area and back, we headed back to the car to dry off, and decided to make our way towards Minsmere.
The pools around South hide held good numbers of Greenshank with at least six being seen. Double figures of Green Sandpipers and smaller numbers of Common Sands were also seen. A nice sighting was a family of Water Rails on the pool behind South hide.
Other birds noted here were Snipe, Common and Sandwich Terns, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Redshank and a couple of Spotted Redshank.
Leaving the hide news comes through of 2 Wrynecks back at Landguard!
Back to the car and back along the A12 to Landguard.
Arriving to find a small group of birders looking towards a clump of bushes. Struggling to find the bird it suddenly flies up into the trees in the observatory compound. Giving brief views as it lands on the outside branches before heading further back in the trees.
Another brief view is had when it appears on the fence and then drops down onto the grass in front, before again heading back into the trees in the compound.
Four Wrynecks in total would be reported from Landguard, 2 being trapped and ringed.
Another Pied Fly was found in the bushes close to the shingle beach and boardwalk along with plenty of Wheatears and a couple of Yellow Wagtails.
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