Foreign Visit

Moth Quiz 22
If Rudolph had some at Christmas, he was wrongly named. 
Antler Moth
(Male reindeer do not have antlers at Christmas time, the females do)

Moth Quiz 23
Beat-up and forbidden on parquet.

Tuesday, June 10 

Checking the milometer when we got home, we discovered that we'd driven fewer miles than on a day out to west Norfolk. 

The plan was to cross the border for the first time this year, and park at Dunwich clifftop in Suffolk so that I could scope Minsmere RSPB. Stopping at the first area of suitable habitat, we lucked in on a singing Dartford Warbler which led us a merry dance before flying far away. Dutifully informing a woman dog owner, who's large retriever was running wild through the heather that her dog should be on a lead, (a large notice said so), we got the response '' no, she's fine''. ''Breeding birds, look at the sign '', fell on deaf ears as she'd put her earbuds back in.

Reaching the approach to Dunwich cliffs, there was a large sign informing us that the car park was only open to pre-booked cars  A fine time to find out.

Taking the Minsmere turning, we were surprised to see that the sign said that it was a dead end. We knew that it wasn't. As soon as the conference centre is reached, a right turn takes one to Leiston via Eastbridge, which is a delightful road. A canopy of dense tree cover made spotting the road bumps difficult, we soon learned to look for the white-topped posts. After a few tooth-loosening surprises.

Hearing song from the Minsmere river bank, near the east bridge which gives the hamlet its name, we stopped to try and locate the bird. A Sedge Warbler eventually leapt into a dense willow from which it poured out its song. I haven't been able to photograph one for my folder, so, despite it being against the light, I had a go. Much enlarged and enhanced.

We had a quick look to see if any Odonata were flying in the cloudy conditions - they weren't - so drove on to Sizewell beach car park where we were able to get a parking spot in the front row, overlooking the shrubby wild lupin, heather and suaeda covered dunes leading to a narrow shingle beach. Plenty of walkers and fishermen around but we were able to sit alone to view the Kittiwakes nesting on the disused Sizewell A, Nuclear Power Station Outfall Rigs, just offshore. One of the largest colonies in the UK.

Birds cannot read........
Their presence prevented work on repairing the rigs. 
Delightful looking little seabirds, with the incredibly raucous onomatopeic call which gives them their name.
Too distant to smell the colony, thank goodness, but near enough to appreciate this wonderful spectacle. There are two platforms, the other is more distant. Pam counted 60 nests on one level. There must be well over a thousand birds nesting on both rigs.
The area is renowned for its wild flowers. I photographed these spikes of Vipers Bugloss from the car as we left the car park.

 We decided to return via Eastbridge so that Pam could have a try at photographing the Sedge Warbler. The sun was appearing intermittently, giving some welcome warmth to the north-easterly light breeze. I binned the nearby marsh for any living thing, both of us seeing a flying Cuckoo, the first this month.

Pam wandered over to the bridge again, this time finding a blue Damselfly species and the delightful Banded Demoiselle. In flight, their black tipped and broad wings make them look like mini helicopters.

This one took off as I pressed the shutter.

Viewed from the bridge. the river is a delightful, slow moving, reed edged, full of yellow water lilies, wildlife rich, habitat. 

 

The Minsmere River flows into the North Sea at Minsmere. The river is formed from the River Yox at Yoxford before flowing through Middleton, Eastbridge and Minsmere. It flows to the south of Minsmere RSPB reserve helping to form many of the wetland habitats at the reserve.(Wiki)

The river valley was largely drained and used as agricultural land in the past This reaches the sea at Minsmere Sluice, a tidal sluice which discharges water from the channels into the sea.

It's a year or two since we visited trendy Southwold too. Before reaching the town, we turned off in order to approach the river and port area through a marshy plain across which a Marsh Harrier was quartering.
The so-called port is a long stretch of Yacht Club, pubs, fresh fish, cafes, chandlers and various other boat related shacks and buildings, lining the aged timber shorings and moorings which pin the river channel The tide was in, which always enhances the view, restricted though it is.

Disappointing to see so many visitors eating fish and chips with total disregard for social distancing. Not a mask in sight. It looked like a Bank Holiday Saturday. 
As we were leaving, my pager informed me that there was a Blyth's Reed Warbler in Southwold. I put the location into the Satnav and, five minutes later, we were parked looking at a wooded area at the end of a road. A binocular wearing man appeared from a narrow footpath on the right. He'd seen the bird, but infrequently and very briefly. Neither was it singing. The viewing site was 50 yards away,a  perfectly walkable distance wise, but without a seat, not possible for me. There was no room for a folding chair either so we left.  ''Only'' a year bird but disappointing.

The journey home through Great Yarmouth, having bypassed Lowestoft via Oulton,  was a pleasant interlude pondering the lovely day out - especially as Pam was able to fill up with fuel at less than a £1 a litre at a Morrisson's. That, and only paying 60p for two hours parking at Sizewell, enhanced her day.

She is certainly not mean, I hastily add, but petrol prices are an obsession.