While doing the Lode walk on the 9th located a Lesser Whitethroat and later in the day a male Wheatear at Burwell Fen, the first, for me, of the spring in this location.
Had a trip over to Suffolk on the 13th May with a visit to Minsmere. Good numbers of Hobby (7), and Bearded Tit showing well. A Stone-curlew was visible but given the good views I get just down the road I did not dwell with the crowd! Bittern showed a couple of times but were not great views. Managed to get a number of shots of Sanderling down by the sea.
21st May: Burwell Fen: spotted a Black-wing Stilt fly out from the far side of the fen. Fortunately it landed nearer to the bank so I settled in for a close look. Shortly afterwards it was joined by another. The female quickly settled down on a small piece of dry land and it was apparent that the pair were nesting and had eggs as shortly afterwards the female rose and started to turn at least three eggs. Being joined by another birdwatcher, he confirmed that they had been around for a couple of days and the hope was that they would breed. Sadly this was not to be the case and within a week they were gone.
Sedge Warbler: Burwell Fen
