Nature SpotMinsmere Nature Reserve

[micksheff, 15.01.2008] Minsmere is one of over 200 nature reserves in Britain managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Established in 1948 it is also one of Britain's oldest nature reserves. Back in those early post war days it was known as the Minsmere Bird Reserve and covered only a fraction of the 150 acres that it now spans. Today, Minsmere Nature Reserve covers the whole of east Suffolk from the estuary of the River Blyth to its north down to Minsmere River on its southern boundaries, this area now also forms a part of the much larger Minsmere - Walberswick Special Protection area and is also an area of outstanding natural beauty. In addition to its birdlife, it is also an important habitat for flowers, plants, insects and mammals. In September 2004 a previously unknown species of moth was found here, which was given the name the Minsmere Crimson Underwing.

I first visited Minsmere about 15 years ago and a couple of months ago I had the opportunity to return here again. I have always had a keen interest in birds and wildlife and a great love for the outdoors so this was always a place that I intended to one day return to. As far as I can recall the place has not changed at all, which is obviously good news for the wildlife that has made its home here, although I think that the quality of some of the footpaths had been improved.

Minsmere is a wetland reserve that is dominated by shallow lagoons and thick beds of reeds. This type of reed bed habitat was once abundant in these flat, low lying lands and until a couple of centuries ago this type of habitat covered much of East Anglia, Belgium and Holland. However, deliberate draining of the land has almost eradicated this unique habitat and now only small fragments of it remain.

Here the reeds are managed carefully by the RSPB to provide the optimum wildlife habitat. This management actually involves the cutting down of large areas of reed at the end of each summer to ensure that the Greater Reed Mace, which is the predominant grass species here does not grow too tall and take over. This cutting back of the reeds is especially important for the Dormouse, one of the UK's rarest rodents.

Arriving at Minsmere is relatively easy, although I would imagine that it could be quite difficult without a car. The reserve is well sign-posted from quite a few miles away and there is a large car park with toilets and a visitor centre where the narrow country road that leads to it ends. The toilets here are equipped with disabled and baby changing facilities and there is also a gift shop.

Like most of the RSPB reserves Minsmere is free to visit if you are a RSPB member or a member of certain other societies but there is a small charge to enter the reserve for non members. This fee is payable at the visitors centre, from where a day permit has to be obtained . This revenue goes towards the upkeep of the reserve but since this reserve attracts over 100,000 visitors every year surplus revenue also goes towards the upkeep of some of the other RSPB reserves and also to help support some of the other important conservation work that this charity undertakes.

The current admission charges are:

Adults - £5.00
Concessions - £3.00
Children - £1.50
Family ticket - £10.00

Due to the nature of this habitat access across the reserve is restricted but there are several footpaths that have been cut through the reeds and these are raised up above the marshy ground on wooden platforms. These wooden platforms are quite wide and very easy to walk on and are suitable for both wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The reeds at either side of these footpaths are up to three metres tall and therefore despite the twittering noises of the birds coming from inside it is virtually impossible to see anything. However every two to three hundred metres there are wooden observation hides that are raised high above the reeds and provide an elevated view. These hides also overlook the open stretches of water and the shallow lagoons. The majority of these observation hides are built on two different levels with a ramp up to the higher level. There are wooded benches inside and they usually look out onto three of their four sides.

Without the observation hides it would be difficult to see anything but optical viewing aids like binoculars or a telescope are also useful as some of the views of the birds are rather distant. Binoculars can actually be hired from the visitor centre for a small charge plus a deposit.

Minsmere is a perfect day out for the family and is suitable for anyone who enjoys the countryside. If you know nothing about birds there are always staff and other visitors there to point things out. Whilst I was there one of the wardens was explaining to some young children about the swans here, telling them that the ones with the yellow beaks were not the common Mute Swans, which have orange beaks, that we see on our rivers, but that these were in fact Berwick's Swans that only come to Britain for the winter after they have bred in the high Artic.

During my recent visit I saw lots of different birds, including two of the local highlights, Avocet and Marsh Harrier. I certainly left here with some nice find memories.

The reserve is open daily from 9am until dusk. Facilities include a car park, visitor centre, shop and toilets that are fully equipped for disabled visitors.