Early Birders

The plan today was to get up early and walk over to the site where I had seen the Stone Curlew so that Mr PB could see it. At first we couldn't spot it, but luckily for us one the RSPB people who was monitoring the birds turned up and spotted them away from their usual territory - sadly further away, but just about near enough to get sight of two birds and their chicks. He kindly told us where another pair with older chicks could be seen close by, and as we watched, one of them broke cover and we got some wonderful views. After that, we went down to the Island Mere hide where we saw a Hobby, some Marsh Harriers and a Great White Egret. There were also a few Marsh Orchids just coming into flower nearby - see extras. The plan is to go out again this evening to see if there are any Nightjars on the Heath. In the unlikely event I manage a photo, I'll put it it in extras later on.