I booked a rental car from 13th to 16th June 2026 to include visits to various sites in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
The main purpose of my trip was continuing to add species to my 2026 UK year list. Most notably, this included Red-footed Falcon in Suffolk (my 3rd UK record after sightings in Norfolk in 1992 and Hertfordshire in 2010) and Ruddy Shelduck in Essex (my 4th UK record after 2 sightings in Essex in 2011 and 2025 and also Lincolnshire in 2019). Sadly, I was unable to get any photos since both birds were very distant requiring a telescope to view.
I added 6 species to my 2026 UK year list: Ruddy Shelduck, Red-footed Falcon, Bittern, Hobby, Roseate Tern, Nightjar
13th June 2026
I started my day with a brief visit to EWT Abberton Reservoir.
The huge expanse of EWT Abberton Reservoir just south of Colchester in Essex is one of Europe's top wetland sites. It is of international importance as a safe haven for wild ducks, swans and other water birds, whether resident, passing through on migration or over-wintering.
My main target species during my visit was a Ruddy Shelduck which had been reported for several days. I quickly located the bird west of the Layer Breton causeway although a telescope was required to find it.
The highlights from my short visit to the Layer Breton causeway included the following: Ruddy Shelduck (1), Cattle Egret (4), Great White Egret (6), Spoonbill (4), Common Tern (2), Swift (at least 50)
After my short visit to EWT Abberton Reservoir, I drove around 50 miles north east to NNR Westleton Heath in Suffolk.
NNR Westleton Heath is part of the best remaining tract of heathland in Suffolk and located just outside the village of Westleton. In medieval times a large area of heath known as the Sandlings (on account of its dry sandy soils) stretched along the Suffolk coast. Today only about 20% of the heathland remains and the rest has been lost to modern farming and forestry. The site is particularly good for heathland and woodland species.
I had already had my usual spring visit to NNR Westleton Heath on 21st April 2026 when my records included only my second Iberian Chiffchaff in the UK. On this visit, my target species was a female Red-footed Falcon which had been reported for several days. NNR Westleton Heath covers a huge area but fortunately several other birders were on-site so it was fairly easy to find the location where I successfully saw this bird, albeit a distant telescope view.
My main visit of the day was to nearby RSPB Minsmere.
RSPB Minsmere is one of the oldest reserves owned and managed by the RSPB and it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site. It is also 1 of only 5 European Council Diploma Protected Areas in the UK. Habitats at RSPB Minsmere include reedbeds, marshland, scrapes, grassland, heathland and shingle beach and a huge number and diversity of species is present at any time of the year.
As always, I had a very rewarding visit to RSPB Minsmere and highlights included the following (heard only records in italics): Bittern (2), Common Crane (1), Spoonbill (3), Avocet (at least 200), Lapwing (4), Black-tailed Godwit (3), Ringed Plover (2), Little Egret (1), Teal (at least 10), Shelduck (4), Shoveler (5), Gadwall (2), Coot (at least 20), Mute Swan (2), Canada Goose (at least 10), Greylag Goose (at least 10), Cormorant (1), Roseate Tern (2), Sandwich Tern (at least 100), Common Tern (at least 25), Mediterranean Gull (2), Kittiwake (at least 30), Black-headed Gull (+++ including many juveniles), Hobby (at least 5), Marsh Harrier (1), Common Buzzard (1), Swift (at least 5), Sand Martin (at least 50), Chiffchaff (singing male), Blackcap (2 singing males), Reed Warbler (at least 5 singing males), Cetti’s Warbler (3 singing males), Bearded Tit ( 1 heard calling), Reed Bunting (singing male), Linnet (1), Red Deer (1) …. plus the Red Arrows!
My final visit of the day, after a meal and a beer at the Eel's Foot Inn in Eastbridge, was a return to NNR Westleton Heath, primarily to see Nightjars although I did have another sighting of the female Red-footed Falcon.
The highlights from my visit included the following: Nightjar (2 males seen, at least 1 other male heard "churring" plus another heard "wing-clapping"), Red-footed Falcon (female), Hobby (2), Cuckoo (calling male), Chiffchaff (singing male), Blackcap (singing male)
14th June 2026
I started my day again at EWT Abberton Reservoir in the hope that the Ruddy Shelduck was still present but much closer to photograph .... it was but wasn't!
I then drove up to EWT Wrabness in north Essex.
EWT Wrabness comprises hedgerows, scrub and grassland plus views overlooking the River Stour estuary. It is primarily known as a breeding location for Turtle Dove, a rapidly declining species which can be very difficult to locate now in the UK although this site remains a stronghold in Essex.
Following a partially successful visit on 19th May 2026, Turtle Dove was my target species but during my visit I failed to hear, let alone see, this species.
The highlights from my visit included the following: Common Whitethroat (3 singing males seen plus 2 others heard), Chiffchaff (3 singing males seen plus 4 others heard), Blackcap (2 singing males), Swallow (2), Kestrel (1), Stock Dove (2), Yellowhammer (singing male), Linnet (3), Cormorant (2 flew over), Oystercatcher (1 flew over), Comma (1), Holly Blue (1), Red Admiral (1), Meadow Brown (3)
15th June 2026
I had a full day visit to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen is part of the Mid-Yare Valley along with Surlingham, Rockland, Buckenham and Cantley in the Norfolk Broads. The valley protects a mosaic of wetland habitats which is home to a wide range of important species.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen has the designations Site of Special Scientific Interest , Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. It has the full range of broadland habitats including reedbeds, wet woodlands, wet grasslands, ponds and ditches and orchid-rich meadows.
I had an excellent visit to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen with the highlights including the following:
Birds (heard only records in italics): Bittern (at least 3 seen flying past Fen Hide), Cuckoo (calling male seen plus 3 other calling males heard), Kingfisher (1), Reed Warbler (3 seen plus at least 20 singing males heard), Sedge Warbler (3 singing males seen plus at least 10 other singing males heard), Willow Warbler (1 singing male seen plus 4 singing males heard), Garden Warbler (2 singing males), Chiffchaff (5 singing males heard), Blackcap (male and female seen plus 4 singing males heard), Cetti’s Warbler (6 singing males), Bearded Tit (female seen plus several other birds hear calling), Reed Bunting (3 singing males and a female seen plus 2 other singing males heard), Marsh Tit (1 heard calling), Mistle Thrush (1), Red Kite (1), Marsh Harrier (at least 2), Great White Egret (1), Little Egret (1), Common Tern (6), Mallard (c.120), Gadwall (1), Water Rail (1 heard calling), Great Crested Grebe (1), Mute Swan (6), Coot (4), Moorhen (pair with juveniles), Cormorant (6)
Mammals: Otter (1 seen from Fen Hide), Grey Squirrel (1)
Reptiles: Common Lizard (2)
Butterflies: Swallowtail (1), Red Admiral (3), Speckled Wood (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Comma (1), Brimstone (1), Holly Blue (1), Large Skipper (1), Small White (1)
Dragonflies and damselflies: Norfolk Hawker (4), Banded Demoiselle (at least 5), Scarce Chaser (2), Four-spotted Chaser (3), Emperor Dragonfly (1), Black-tailed Skimmer (1), Blue-tailed Damselfly (at least 10), Common Blue/Azure Damselfly (at least 50), Large Red Damselfly (2)
Here are some photos from my visit ....
Photo: Otter
Photo: Bittern
Photo: Bittern
Photo: Bittern
Photo: Marsh Harrier
Photo: Sedge Warbler
Photo: Little Egret
Photo: Norfolk Hawker
Photo: Banded Demoiselle
Photo: Four-spotted Chaser
Photo: Azure Damselfly
Photo: Azure Damselflies
Photo: Large Skipper
Photo: Common Spotted Orchid
Photo: Common Spotted Orchid
16th June 2026
I had a few hours available before I had to return my rental car and I chose to visit Latchingdon church in Essex where I was aware that there was nesting colony of Swifts. Swifts were very evident flying high over or around the church and I estimated that there were at least 20 birds.
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