Western Purple Swamphen ..... At Minsmere

Western Purple Swamphen.

News broke yesterday afternoon of a Western Purple Swamphen showing well on & off behind the South hide at Minsmere rspb reserve , i made plans  to go early the next morning leaving  at 4.30am.

I arrived in good time and made my way around to the famous pool where the Swamphen has set up home , i joined the already assembled birders who informed me it had just flown out of sight 5 mins ago (Don't you just love being told that.....)

Red bill .

White undertail coverts.

Long red legs & feet.

Western Purple Swamphen.

Luckily i didn't have to wait long as the Swamphen reappeared at the back of the pool and showed really well off & on  for the 2 & half hours i was there , i also saw a Juv Water Rail partially hidden in the reeds. 

Juv. Water Rail.

I then had a walk around to the hides to check out the scrape which was a hive of activity with lots of waders including Bar & Black Tailed Godwits , Avocets, Green Sandpiper (3), Ruff (2),Lapwing , Dunlin, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover (2) & Spotted Redshank (18).

Avocet.

I then had a walk back along the North Wall and saw some interesting Bees , Bee-Wolf & Pantaloon bee i am reliably informed.

I really enjoyed watching the Sand Martins at the sand bank near the visitor centre .

3 Young Sand Martins waiting to be fed.

There were lots of butterflies around the buddleia bushes including lots of Red Admirals, Peacocks & Painted Lady's.

Painted Lady.

Peacock.

A really enjoyable mornings birding & nature watching at a top reserve, as for the Swamphen it goes onto my list pending alongside Dalmation Pelican & Chestnut Bunting .