Monday 13 June 2011

ROLLER in Suffolk







The adult summer-plumaged EUROPEAN ROLLER was showing very well this afternoon, sallying down from the MOD perimeter fence for beetles it was catching on the ground.

At the fork on the B1083 after leaving Melton, take the Hollesley road (clearly signposted and actually called ''The Street'') and continue down this road for just under 2 miles to Upper Hollesley Common, just beyond the fence. There are three areas to park off-road 150 yards further on, ample for 30 cars. Try to avoid parking on the verge there as I had to retrieve two vehicles today which got seriously stuck in the rain ditches; it is also a very busy road and tempers flared with passing drivers. It can be amply observed from the road or from the footpath that leads across the heath towards the fence

The bird was found by a couple who casually wandered into Minsmere RSPB reception and announced the news ! Birding Suffolk mastermind Lee Woods obtained the excellent images published above. Fabulous bird as always.......