Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats

We decided to head back to Alkborough Flats this afternoon as it was Monday and the crowds would have gone. It was positively pleasant with just us two standing outside watching swampy, but the afternoon crowds soon arrived and we were again back standing in the crowd. Listening to the hide occupants moaning that they couldn't see the waders on the mud because the reeds obscured their views, we kept quiet taking it all in. Then, as if two wildfowlers walking past last Friday complete with guns but minus a dog, wasn't bad enough. The local tenant sheep farmer decided today was the day that all the sheep would be rounded up and removed from the site. Well he couldn't have made more noise, driving vehicles and whooping and hollering to move his sheep......you really wouldn't think there was a rare bird on the site.

Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats

A fabulous bird that has now turned up at Alkborough. We saw this bird in Minsmere, Suffolk a few weeks ago and it's now 8 miles from our door ! Still very distant in the far reeds but shows very well. Brilliant !  

Western Purple Swamphen, RSPB Minsmere

An early morning drive down to Suffolk to Minsmere and there is no easy way for us to get there, so a 160 mile trip took us well over 4 hours with tractors, combines, lorrys, holiday traffic and single track roads....a nightmare ! But we arrived just before lunch and made our way to the bird which showed as soon as we arrived. Quite distant in the edge of the reeds and although it kept showing for ages, it was often partially obscured by reeds. But not complaining as we had some fantastic views, well pleased. We only took our small camera/lens which was a good job as space was at a premium with the narrow path and the 100's of scopes on it, it was a jostle for the front row ! A new UK bird for us taking Karen's UK tally to 388. We finished our visit off seeing a couple of stone curlews on the heath, always a good bird to see. Had a fantastic day at Minsmere and our return journey was just as long and tiring and it was 8pm when we arrived back home ...... with a Chinese takeaway!