Charles Cuthbert

A rather distant Purple Heron from the Island Mere hide at Minsmere, 2nd June 2025, partly hidden behind a screen of swaying reeds!
@suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @rspbminsmere.bsky.social

Sand Martin chicks at the entrance of their nest burrows at Minsmere, Suffolk, waiting for the parent birds to bring food, and almost ready to fly!
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolksnaps.bsky.social

Beautiful Silver-studded Blues now emerging on the Suffolk coast, males and females, mostly on the Bell Heather as it comes into flower (30th May 2025)
@suffolksnaps.bsky.social @bc-suffolk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

A pair of Treecreepers carrying food for their young at a nest in an old Oak tree at Minsmere, Suffolk yesterday (6th May 2025)
@rspb.bsky.social @rspbminsmere.bsky.social @suffolksnaps.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

The distinctive song of a Reed Warbler, listen for the steady rhythm, repeat phrases, 'reedy' sound and occasional mimicry... and most often well hidden in the reeds!
@rspbminsmere.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

View from Dunwich Cliffs overlooking Sole Bay, Suffolk today (4th May 2025)

A Red-necked Phalarope has been feeding on the East Scrape at Minsmere, Suffolk, for the last 3 days, a scarce visitor to the UK, and a delightful little wader, well worth a second look!
@rspb.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

The welcome sight and sound of Swallows now back on their familiar nest sites at Cley Nature Reserve, Norfolk yesterday (2nd May 2025)

Wells beach, Norfolk, at low water this afternoon (1st May 2025)

A male Holly Blue butterfly in my Suffolk garden this morning, showing its silvery and spotted underwings (when closed) before slowly opening its wings to reveal the blue uppersides (28th April 2025)
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

A lovely book and illustrated by Sandra Pond who lives in this area, in case you haven't heard of her!

It's an introduced plant and often invasive but insects definitely love it as a nectar source!

The bright blue flowers of Green Alkanet are a magnet for butterfliies, bees and many other insects - here's Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small Copper - all from one Suffolk location! (25th April 2025)
@suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolksnaps.bsky.social

Green Hairstreak butterflies on the Suffolk Sandlings yesterday, displaying their bright green undersides, and often blending in perfectly with the fresh green Hawthorn leaves! (24th April 2025)
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @suffolksnaps.bsky.social

A showy male Bittern from Minsmere, Suffolk yesterday (22nd April 2025), and after searching for a meal, unexpectedly paused to shake up and reveal its superb plumage...what an amazing bird!
@rspb.bsky.social @suffolksnaps.bsky.social

Always good to see a Stoat, especially when it bounces quickly in and out of view, as this one I encountered at Minsmere today! (21st April 2025)
@rspbengland.bsky.social

A colony of Sand Martins, doing what Sand Martins do best!
At RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk (Easter 2025)

The 'mini-meadow' in my garden is coming to life with a beautiful display of Cowslips right now, all from seed and slowly increasing - why have a boring manicured lawn when you could have wildflowers all year through!@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Warm sunshine and a rising tide on the Alde estuary at Iken, Suffolk this morning, and a good range of waders including many Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, and a single Greenshank (14th April 2025)

Good news, for the first time in 12 years, Frogs have spawned in my Suffolk garden this year! From fresh frogspawn to wriggling tadpoles in 16 days, so far so good!
@suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

The magical sight and sound of Sand Martins busily opening up fresh nest burrows at Minsmere, Suffolk... and in the background the songs of Nightingale, Chiffchaff and Skylark nearby (8th April 2025)
@suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

A male Black Redstart in its finest spring plumage feeding in a sheltered spot at Southwold Harbour, Suffolk, this morning - what a beauty! (4th April 2025)
@suffolksnaps.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

The wonderful sight of Snake's-head Fritillaries now in full flower in a Suffolk churchyard, surrounded by thousands and thousands of Primroses! Thanks to a limited and favourable mowing regime there is a diverse flora, perfect for pollinators!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social

Frogs often spawn in puddles and similar shallow or temporary pools where fish are absent

Look what I found in my garden pond after dark last night, a calling male Frog with a fresh clump of frogspawn, but no sign of the female! (Suffolk Sandlings, 25th March 2025)

Minsmere, Suffolk, 25th March 2025, and love is in the air!
A pair of Avocets in prolonged courtship on the Scrape today, with a lot of ritual preening by the male, followed by mating, and finally a 'kiss' of crossed bills before separating (shown here also in slow-motion) @rspbengland.bsky.social

Thank you Gareth, I do my best to please!

A very smart adult male Black Redstart at Sizewell today, one of several recently arrived all along the Suffolk coast!

For the last few days, here in coastal Suffolk, the frogs have been very busy spawning in a nearby garden pond, and a bit later than expected... my sister in West Cornwall first reported spawning down there 11 to 12 weeks ago! @katebradbury.bsky.social @froglife.bsky.social

Thanks Mike, it's good to hear from you!