An afternoon at Minsmere

After another trip looking at bungalows in Southwold, we spent the afternoon at Minsmere. As well as lots of gulls, coots, cormorants, ducks and similar birds, we also managed to see two bitterns and a lot of marsh harriers.  The first bittern we saw was from the Island Mere hide.  It flew quite close to the hide above us.  The second bittern we saw from the Bittern hide.  This one was further away, flying low over the reeds.  It did not fly very far, but looked amazing as the sun caught its wings as it flew along.  We saw the marsh harriers from both hides - getting more chance to see them from the Island Mere hide, but getting a much better view of a female marsh harrier hovering for some time before diving down into the cover.