Last Thursday, with wall to wall sunshine forecast for the whole day and an easterly wind, a friend and I decided to visit Minsmere, a reserve that we had not visited for some time. It is virtually a 2 hour journey from Cambridge so an early start is required, not something that agrees with me too much these days.

The first sighting was a flock of Pied Wagtails busily feeding close to replica watches the path - most likely overnight migrants. A few shots of some possible White Wagtails but further inspection back home proved that they were just Pied Wagtails - more images for the delete button.

Then on to East Hide. On the way, a Wheatear was showing well and we tried to get it in focus - that is until an elderly lady walked right in front of us, apparently not seeing us or the bird. Amazing that some people walk around with binoculars around their necks without seeing anything. Moan for the day - except that it happened again a couple of times.

At East Hide, nothing was showing initially except for a Common Sandpiper feeding some distance away although heading in the general direction of the hide. To get it in front of the hide would be too much to hope for, especialy since it was a species that I had only photographed closely on the dam at Grafham Water, not an attractive background.

Well, Peacock, your cynicism was misplaced. It slowly made it's way towards a stretch of water in front of the hide and posed very nicely, not close necessitating the 2x converter, but well worth the wait.

Then a Spotted Redshank, resplendent in it's winter silver coat made it's way breitling replica towards the hide and treated us to a wing stretch

but quickly noticed the staccato of the various cameras going off.

It then flew - this usual flighty species did not disappoint.

We then made our way to the sluice bushes where a Barred Warbler had been reported but it was much too distant for decent shots so we carried on and found 4 Redstarts but there were too many people around for them to settle although there was one brief view.

Making our way back to the visitor centre for some lunch, a quick look in the two hides revealed nothing so that was the mornings activities.

After lunch, we decided to go to nearby Dunwich Heath to see if there were any Dartford Warblers showing. One brief view of one flying away was all that we managed although a juvenile Stonechat perched nicely.

We then retuned to Minsmere where a Wryneck has been reported on Gun Hill. We found it but, once again, too distant for photos so we returned home.