A trip to Minsmere

For our first full day in East Anglia, we travelled into Suffolk and visited RSPB Minsmere, where the order of the day was 'Wildlife, tea, cake, repeat'. Whilst there were plenty of birds to see, my photos of the day didn't reflect this, despite my futile attempts to capture images of Bearded Tits.

At this time of year, as in Orkney, so in Suffolk. There was a lot of slime mould about, in the form of Scrambled Egg mould (or Dog's Vomit mould, if you prefer, but I suspect you don't!).

We were chuffed to see species of butterfly that either aren't common or do not put in an appearance in Orkney. Here's a Comma that is trying it's darnedest to be just an autumnal leaf, honest.

And we did have great views of a Southern Hawker hunting along the vegetation at the side of a path, plenty of Migrant Hawkers, as well as countless Common Darters and the occasional Ruddy Darter.

Bench press: 20+ Common Darters and a Speckled Wood butterfly

Sympetrum sweethearts

A rather worn, male Ruddy Darter

In the evening, we returned to Sisland, and were able to enjoy further views of the Barn Owl. Later, as we settled down for the night, we could hear several Tawny Owls in some nearby trees.