In the last two days we have visited some of the smaller reserves in Suffolk as well as making another trip back to RSPB Minsmere.

Hen Reedbeds (on the River Hen just outside Southwold) is a delightful small reserve with a superb platform looking across the roadbeds where you can generally see marsh harriers, grey herons, little egrets as well as many other birds. There is also a pleasant walk along the Blyth Estuary with three hides.

There were good views of reed buntings,warblers, linnets and a family of kestrels and distant views of marsh harriers and grey herons but I had a lens more suitable for insects and so was quite pleased to get a photo of a six-spot burnet moth.

On Wednesday we first went to Darsham Marshes near Westleton. Again a charming small reserve with a very pleasant walk through the marshes. I imagine for most of the year you would need wellies though.

There were loads of butterflies but not so many dragonflies. The best of the birds were swallows and a tree creeper.

We then went up on to Dunwich Heath to search for Dartford Warblers.

Whilst the rest of the country was sweltering in a heatwave we had to wrap up to fend off the cold wind coming off the North Sea.

But it was well worth it as we were rewarded with good views of Dartford Warblers.

We then dropped down to RSPB Minsmere. Just looking at the notice board of birds spotted that day will give an idea of why we like Minsmere so much.

A few of my favourites:

Avocets

Common tern

Black-tailed godwits

Kiitiwake

Whimbrel

Mediterranean gulls

Along the coast I managed to spot one ringed plover but kept our distance so as not to disturb it..

Click below for gallery of photos: