We were invited to lunch with friends at their Dunwich caravan, which has great views over the sea to Southwold on the left, Minsmere on the right and probably Holland straight ahead !
Whilst chatting, I saw a female Wheatear come in off the sea and land on the cliff edge thirty yards in front of the window. There it sat until it gradually recovered, took a few hops, found some insects and flew off again.
Jen had heard a Nightingale on the way back from the shops. Before lunch, we drove to the spot and only had to wait a few minutes before it's liquid, bubbling, fluty notes enhanced the day. Even better, we actually SAW it as it flew further into the willows, rusty red tail obvious in flight.
Dunwich Heath gave us views of three Dartford Warblers and two Stonechats, a very short way down the Coastguards' Cottages' path. Both these species suffered in the second very cold winter.
After lunch, whilst I was constantly scanning for passing Terns, a single adult Gannet flew south. Thinking that Sizewell might have a few terns - Jen and Marj were keen to see one - we drove to the car park to search the offshore constructions. No terns, but at least a hundred delightful, dove-grey Kittiwakes, huddled on the ledges.
Not a birding day as such, yet, a very productive one, our earliest Nightingale by far.
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