Hi again
The last few weeks have been relatively quiet here at Minsmere – a bit of a welcome relief in one sense after the last few hectic months. Having said that, those people who don’t come to Minsmere for a few hours of winter birdwatching are missing out on some excellent birdwatching.
I’m always inspired by watching large flocks of birds, especially ducks, geese and swans. Collectively known as wildfowl, these birds make a winter visit to any wetland a really special occasion. What the reserve lacks in variety in December, we certainly make up for in numbers.
The Scrape is heaving with birds, with several hundred wigeons and teals vying for the attention of visitors. However, it’s one of our less colourful, though no less beautiful ducks, the gadwall, that has stolen the show recently. Counts have exceeded 500, breaking not just the Minsmere record, but the Suffolk one too. Although at first glance these ducks lack the gaudy colours, a close view shows how finely marked the black, brown and white marks on their feathers are, and the black patch under their tail gives them a bit of character.
Why not come along over the Christmas holiday and see these beautiful ducks for yourself. You might also spot some winter swans – we’ve got a few Bewick’s and whooper swans here at the moment – and if you’re really lucky you may see the first smew of the winter – they usually turn up around now. With several marsh harriers wintering, and regular sightings of hen harrier and peregrine, there’s plenty to see.
And for a real Christmas feel, there are sure to be a few robins around the reserve, plus a good chance of seeing red deer – the closest we get to Rudolph and his friends here in Suffolk.
Whatever you do, have a relaxing Christmas, and a peaceful New Year, and I’ll speak again early in 2008.