Originally today had been a trip with RSPB group to a new location in the Midlands to see what it had to offer, but the recent bad weather and flooding caused a last minute change of plans and instead we travelled north east towards the Suffolk coast and the RSPB reserve at Minsmere.
We made good time from London and arrived at about 9.45. I would normally walk the whole reserve which consists of two circular walks centred on the visitors centre but today I chose a different approach and concentrated on the sea and the wader scrape. In particular I was looking for a Green-Winged Teal, an American Duck. It is a species which has evaded me over the years and so I was determined to see it today.
Green Woodpecker 
Eurasian Teal 
Eurasian Wigeon 
Whooper Swan 
Pied Avocet 
Pied Avocet 
Mallard 
Northern Lapwing 
Eurasian Curlew 
Oystercatcher 
Little Egret
So I did the circuit of the scrape and there were lots of other of other ducks to see including a female /immature Smew, but sadly the Green-Winged Teal eluded me again. However, there was plenty else to see as I watched in vain and counting up at the end of the day I had seen 54 species on the reserve (plus 5 other species seen in the local area) which is a good species count for any trip. Other highlights were an excellent view of a basking Adder and a close encounter with a Muntjac.
Rabbit 
Muntjac
Pete's Favourite Things 