Horsing around

Minsmere again today in the vain hope of seeing a Ring Ouzel. Well I didn't, unfortunately, but did see these beauties. Konik ponies from Poland are used on many nature reserves to graze through tough vegetation and open up areas for breeding birds.

Other mammal activity was a distant sighting of the Red Deer with attendant Stag making a lot of noise - yes it's the rutting season on Westleton Heath.

Perhaps the highlight of the day though was an encounter with a school party of Year 5s (10 year olds) who were experiencing Minsmere for the first time. Yes it was a bit annoying having the hide invaded but they were very polite and interested in what they were seeing. Great to see.