Suffolk Day 2; A Nightingale, A Closer Tern And A Stupid Duck

With lovely weather (despite a very cold wind) I decided to stay on for another day.  First stop was Westleton Heath which I have never visited before despite driving past it on numerous occasions.  A pair of Stonechats were the first find, and the highlight was a singing Nightingale.  Although I couldn't see it, it was only a matter of feet away as it produced its incredible song.

On to Minsmere again. Plans to try the Marsh Harriers again were forgotten as the White-winged Black Tern was still present and had moved closer to one of the hides, sometimes coming within striking distance:

Waders present included Greenshank, as well as a good number of Bar-tailed Godwit and the resident Avocets:

The pool near the visitor centre held a couple of dragonflies which were posing nicely.  I believe this is a Four-spotted Chaser:

Back in the Bittern Hide a large family of Red Deer swam across one of the channels:

Just before leaving a duck Mallard decided to take its seven ducklings right in front of a fishing Grey Heron.  Shrieks of horror came out of the hide as, not surprisingly, the Heron took one of the young birds.  It flew a short distance before giving the bird a shake to break its neck, before swallowing it whole, head first.  Slightly bizarrely it spent about a minute with the birds legs sticking out either side of its mouth. 

The Mallard went on its way with six ducklings left to live another day.