Not quite Rudolph

Today was such a lovely day I couldn't resist heading off down to Minsmere again. Lots to do at home of course but you can't pass up the chance of good weather at this time of year.

The building work moves on apace with the new reception area beginning to take shape. It's going to be such an improvement for what is such an important reserve for the RSPB.

Headed off down to the new Island Mere hide, opened a couple of weeks ago. Very flash. Large windows with fancy opening mechanisms, twizzly seats and great views. Not sure it's entirely successful but won't pass judgement until I've visited another couple of times.

Did see good views of a Bittern flying and a little flock of Bearded Tits landed briefly outside the hide. No pictures I'm afraid.

The reedbeds are undergoing maintenance too so that was not conducive to seeing Marsh Harrier or Kingfisher today. Did spot a Green Woodpecker and loads of 'ordinary' birds.

But, as my mate Pontycyclops observes, it's often on the way back to the car that the best things happen. A small group of Red Deer hinds were grazing around the building compound, much to the delight of one of the construction workers who was watching from the cab of his diggery thing.