Late winter visit to Minsmere, Suffolk

A late winter visit to Minsmere R.S.P.B Nature Reserve on a cold blustery day with Steve Carter and Dave Cole produced the following species;
Little Grebe (5), Great-crested Grebe (displaying pair from island mere hide), Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose (c20), Canada Goose, Brent Goose (3 in flight along coast), Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail (7), Shoveler Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (female from island mere hide), Smew (drake plus 4 redheads, mobile), Marsh Harrier (4), Red-legged Partridge ( 5 en route), Pheasant, Water Rail (2 calling from phragmites), Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher (1), Lapwing (c150), Dunlin (c12 very mobile), Common Snipe (1 from island mere hide), Black-tailed Godwit (several, mobile), Curlew (1), Redshank (1), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (2), Meadow Pipit (1), Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle Thrush (pair), Cetti's Warbler (6 singing males), Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit (2 on feeders), Coal Tit (2 on feeders), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin (2), Snow Bunting (7 in flight briefly along dunes, male birds showing well), Reed Bunting (singing male).
I personally observed at total of 66 species and considering the very poor weather condition not a bad days work at all. On a positive note it was good to hear so many singing male Cetti's Warblers about the reserve after a colder than usual winter.
Mammals;
Red Deer (3 hind), Hare, Rabbit.
                                                        
                                                                                                             

 

Steve and Dave at the Island Mere Hide.