Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve

A super early alarm set for last weekend, had me out in the car by 5am. In these times of social distancing it makes good sense to beat the dog walkers, joggers, and generally others. Not that this has ever been a problem for me in the past, as I always like to go out early when the Spring and Summer is here. I've been social distancing for many years now😄

It's a great reserve with a good mix of wetland habitat, reedbeds, scrapes and grassland. Next to the reserve there is a lot of farmland, so it attracts many different species. Plenty of waders in the form of Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover.

There was a Corn Bunting singing from the power lines as I got out of the car. Not a bird I see very often, so this was a good start.

Corn Bunting

There were a few pairs of Avocet on the scrapes, with a couple of freshly hatched chicks being closely monitored.

Avocet

Probably one of the most numerous birds around the reserve was the Sedge Warbler. I had not seen one so far this year, so it was good to get it ticked and great to hear them singing again. Things I usually take for granted as the summer roles on, it was nice to just stand and watch these birds going for it full throttle.

Sedge Warbler

Lapwing

Little Egret

Shelduck

Shoveler

Corn Bunting

I'd only ever seen a Corn Bunting once before and it was a fleeting glimpse from a car as it sat on an overhead telephone wire. Not really the best view. I've been on the search when I think I am in the right areas for them, but with no luck. Sites in Norfolk have always drawn a blank when it seems everyone else can find them.
So the other week when I was at Martin Mere, I made the walk out of the reserve to an area where they were supposed to be. I got good directions and my luck was in. Singing from the top of a tree, there he was. An unusual song. It made a few fluttering flights, almost Pipit/Skylark like and returned.
This one Corn Bunting put a smile on my face, and put my year list at 160.