Brian and I met early and arrived at Minsmere by 8.00am: we had been nearly the one guests! We walked spherical to the East Cover and spent half an hour scanning the varied seabirds – Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls, Sandwich and Widespread Terns and Kittiwakes – however could not discover yesterday’s Roseate Tern. A transfer to the general public platform was no extra productive, though we did take pleasure in shut views of a Whitethroat and juvenile Stonechat.
We carried on spherical to the West Cover the place, after a little bit of a wait, we managed to select a skulking Shiny Ibis! Bittern Cover was unproductive, however Island Mere gave us distant views of a Bittern in flight.
Again to the reserve centre for espresso and scones, earlier than returning to the East Scrape, choosing up a few Hobbies on the best way. As earlier than, I scanned the islands earlier than lastly finding candidate for Roseate Tern: black invoice, slim body, very pale in comparison with the close by Commons. Even higher, it had a hoop on its left leg. I pointed the hen out to everybody within the cover and the consensus was Rosie (albeit with a shorter-than-usual tail. Later I confirmed my photographs to 3 vols who recognized it as the identical hen as yesterday’s particular person. (I ought to add that I’ve had 4 e-mails about this tern from respected birders: two say Widespread, two say Roseate! I might simply say that the legs appeared pink fairly than orange in life, as did the decrease mandible. Apparently this particular person has triggered some controversy amongst Suffolk birders!)
A much-needed ice cream after which residence!
