An early morning visit to RSPB Minsmere in the hope of bearded tits but unfortunately it was much too blowy and surprisingly fresh.

However, good views of a kestrel in the field just before Island Mere and a brief glimpse of a green woodpecker was compensation..

At Island Mere just a brief view of a bearded tit, then little grebes, mute swans, grey heron, and greylag geese but we saw no otters

At the Bittern Hide we saw a bittern in flight and a male and female marsh harrier but all too brief for photos. A flask of coffee and then a wonderful local Blythburgh bacon   bap made up for the disappointments.

Tried photographing late summer swallows but my attempts were pitiful.

At the East Hide the best was shelduck, teal, shoveler and gadwall. Avocets were too far back for decent photos.

Click below for gallery of today’s photos: