RSPB Minsmere – Wednesday 4th March 2015
We left home at 9.25am. It was overcast 4˚C with a brisk breeze and during the day it brightened up with temperature rising to 8˚C with one sharp hail shower.
It has been several years since I’ve been to Minsmere and the last time I managed to struggle to Island Mere Hide on crutches but today was going to be different as Jan had arranged for me to use the reserve’s mobility scooter. Jan’s last visit had been a couple of years ago with Drew and Dawn when they went on one of their Deer Safaris, which was a retirement present given to me by Rosedale Funeral Directors of Diss but unfortunately I was too unwell to go. So, I was really looking forward to today’s visit.
During our journey to Minsmere we saw about 6 Mute Swans and a Magpie on some roadside carrion (a Hare). When we arrived at Minsmere we had a very civilised start by having lunch at the visitor centre during which we were observing the feeders, we saw: Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbirds and Coal Tit.
After lunch and while Jan was sorting out our bits and pieces I had a chat with the Warden of the reserve who was quite surprised at the variety of wildlife we have around Watton. He was also trying to encourage me to book another Deer Safari as they were now taking bookings for this year. He was extolling the virtues of a another RSPB Reserve at North Warren near Aldburgh.
We eventually left the centre and made our way to the Bittern Hide. It was so lovely to be out in the open fresh air and not to have to be worried about getting anywhere. The mobility scooter was very comfortable and efficient although at first it did appear to lack a bit of power but as we found out later it was Jan’s rucksack that was slowing us down.
View From Bitten Hide
Little Grebe
The Bittern Hide is a raised hide overlooking the southern end of the reserve. In the past we’d had some terrific views of Bitterns from this hide and if you search our YouTube Channel you’ll see some footage of our previous videos. There were plenty of steps to walk up to get access to the hide but as long as I don’t rush I can normally manage stairs quite well.
View From Bittern Hide
On getting into the hide, it was quite full with birders spread out but very kindly a lady moved to enable us to sit on the end of one of the benches as unfortunately I can no longer lift my legs over the seats, a small thing but a very important thing.
It is a marvellous sight to be able to look out over the reedbeds and as far as the sea from the raised elevation of the Bittern Hide. The only birds we could see immediately in front us were a pair of Coot and a pair of Little Grebes but looking out across the reserve the air was full of birds, lots of Gulls, Wildfowl, Little Egret and Marsh Harriers.
Reedbeds
During our stay in the hide we had no less than 10 close sightings of Marsh Harriers as they effortlessly drifted over nearby reedbeds. I’m not saying they were 10 different birds (they might have been) but 10 sightings although I recognised that 4 of them at least had different markings. In the distance we saw 2 Buzzards soaring together at a very high altitude and other birds flew in and out of our close vicinity, mainly Little Egrets, various Ducks, Wildfowl, Heron, Crows, Magpies and Blue Tits. Our best sighting was just as we were preparing to move on from the hide. A Bittern took to the air from the reedbeds right in front of the hide and flew lazily and gracefully about 200 metres before coming down into the reedbeds again. At one time there were just a few of us in the hide and a woman’s mobile phone started to ring, she took a little while to respond to the ringing and rather than answering it in the hide she got up and left the hide which lengthened the time we had to listen to it. It wasn’t just a simple ring and it was loud as well but what made me laugh was that Jan looked at me and raised her eyebrows in disapproval but no sooner had the woman left the hide, Jan knocked over the tripod that she had brought with her which made a rather loud bump. What do they say about glass houses?
Leaving the hide we began to make the journey towards Island Mere Hide. It was really interesting that between the two hides there is quite a variety of habitats; ancient woodland, boggy woodland, pine woodland, heathland and reedbeds. We could hear plenty of birdsong all around us, we didn’t always manage to spot the birds but we did see Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits and a couple of Goldcrests. It was Jan’s first proper sighting of a Goldcrest and one was clearly displaying and although quite high up in the tree it was quite easy to see without the tree’s leaves to hide it, but to get a picture of it was quite another thing as it didn’t stay still for more than one second as it flitted about in the tree singing (which for me was inaudible), but also vibrating his wings proclaiming his territory and trying to attract a mate.
A Variety Of Habitats
We made another sighting and that was something that was easily recognisable, it was the Springwatch Studio sitting up on the hill with warning signs around it “Widlife Only Beyond This Point!”
Springwatch Studio
Warning
As we approached the Island Mere Hide we could see a Marsh Harrier floating above the reedbeds about 10 metres from the hide.
We have been to this hide several times in the past and although it is a brilliant hide we have found two problems with it. The first is that sometimes the beginning of the ramp up to the hide is under water which is not really a problem for anyone fit and able but for anyone who struggles with mobility it can be a bit dangerous. The second is that it is a very busy hide and sometimes you have to wait at the back of the hide for a viewing place to become available. I must admit that I expected both to be the case today. The first wasn’t too bad, it was just an enlarged puddle (how I would have loved to jump in it and make a big splash but unfortunately those days are over for me). I fully expected it to be very busy as there had been a mother and cub Otter sighting there yesterday but I was pleasantly surprised that there were several places free and we were able to sit in the centre of the hide on comfortable seats.
View From Island Mere Hide
However, then came my worst nightmare as far as birdwatching is concerned, and it was one of the things that I had talked to the Warden about earlier and it was because of this that he had recommended the North Warren Reserve. It was a noisy birdwatcher who was constantly shouting out I’ve got so and so in the scope anyone want a look and what made it worse was that he was an official RSPB Volunteer. Now I know I am an old grouch but I do like to be quiet when I’m birdwatching and I’m not kidding you but this fellow came and tapped me on the shoulder at least three times and said I’ve got this or that in the scope come and have a look. I know his job is to encourage and educate people but surely he could do it quietly. At one point it got so noisy in the Hide with his laughter and talking I nearly had to go out and very shortly after he said to someone in a very loud voice: “I don’t know where they’ve gone, I think something’s disturbed them.” I felt like saying “Yes, it was you, why don’t you just shut up!” Everytime something new came into view he got on his radio to call one his colleagues and at one point I’m sure he was texting, nothing wrong with that, but the volume on his phone was so loud you could hear every letter being inputted (had he not heard of turning the volume off or at least turning it down)!
Views From Island Mere Hide
Anyway, rant over. Back to more important things; there were some interesting birds to be seen, a couple of red headed female Smews, Snipe, Gadwall, Coots, Mute Swans, a couple of pairs of Little Grebes, two Whooper Swans flew in, another 8 sightings of Marsh Harriers (the same applies as before, whether they were the same birds or not, I don’t know), a Heron, Tufted Duck and a Red Kite briefly appeared. We had our coffee here before setting off to return to the visitor centre.
Little Grebe With Fish
On our way back to the visitor centre I saw another Goldcrest and spotted a Green Woodpecker going up a tree which Jan saw as well. Just before we left the reserve we had a look at the Sand Martin’s Bank by the Visitor Centre. It is incredible to think that in just a few weeks time these birds will return from Africa. The only bird that gets here earlier than the Sand Martins are the Wheatears which should start appearing any day now.
Our Journey Back To The Visitor Centre
The Sand Martin Wall
We left the reserve having had a lovely day at Minsmere seeing everything that we’d hoped to, with perhaps the exception of Adders (it’s still a bit early and chilly yet) and the Spoonbills that were on the Scrape.
We’d only just gone through Westleton when we came across some Starlings that were beginning to gather. There were possibly about 2,000 birds there but I’m sure they were going to go somewhere to join up with an even bigger number of birds, perhaps somewhere like Southwold. Shortly afterwards we saw a Kestrel but I was disappointed that we didn’t see a Barn Owl on the way home, especially as we drove through much agricultural land.
Keep your eyes peeled and good spotting.
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