Blogs

Hi again

The weekend was a booming success in many ways. The fantastic weather encouraged many visitors out to enjoy the Suffolk coast at its best.

More importantly, we heard our first bittern of the year yesterday (Sunday 27 January). When bitterns first start calling it’s more of a grunt than a full-throated boom, so we refer to them as grunters. If the weather stays bright, we might hear the first full boom soon, but a cold snap might delay them for several weeks.

There was a boom of a different kind yesterday too, when the bomb disposal unit was called to investigate a Second World War mortar that had been uncovered on the heath. The mortar was live, so they carried out a controlled explosion. We think the mortar had been uncovered by red deer, which caused a low sandy bank to collapse under the passage of many hooves. Fortunately, it was well away from the trails, and caused no disturbance to reserve visitors. It did, however, serve as a reminder of Minsmere’s history.

After all that excitement, what will the next few weeks bring? With half term fast approaching, we have two special family events planned in the next few weeks: a craft event called Nests and nestboxes on 12 February and a Valentine’s Dady walk to look for early signs of spring. Could we even hear a bittern on that walk?

Happy New Year

Have you had a chance to walk off the excesses of the Christmas festivities yet? If not, why not get out to you nearest RSPB nature reserve and indulge yourself in a spot of birdwatching?

We’ve had an interesting start to 2008 here at Minsmere. First, we had the return of our starling roost, only for them to desert us again within a few days. For about a week over the New Year, we were treated to the spectacle of 40 000 starlings wheeling over the reedbed at dusk before settling to roost.

This wonderful display was made even more spectacular by the attentions of an incredible 18 marsh harriers, looking for a late afternoon snack. Sadly, all that harassment may have proved too much for the starlings, and they soon abandoned us to roost at nearby RSPB North Warren instead.

Then, as I predicted last month, a drake smew arrived. He has commuted between the Scrape and Island Mere, but has not yet been joined by any females.

This has been a good few weeks for unusual birds turning up locally. The American white-crowned sparrow in North Norfolk has attracted the media interest, but another American bird has quietly been residing on the marshes at Southwold: a lesser yellowlegs.

We’ve had our own American bird at Minsmere too – well almost, because this is a hybrid with its European cousin. The bird in question is a teal x green-winged teal hybrid. Very unusual, but not one you’ll find in a field guide. It is likely that the American parent turned up in the UK last winter, before migrating with a flock of European teals to their breeding grounds, where it paired up with one of them. This bird is distinguished by having both the horizontal white stripe of the European teal, and the vertical one of its American parent.

The next few weeks should be equally exciting. I’ll be leading guided walks to look for the ducks and geese at Minsmere and North Warren, where I hope to maybe spot the rare great white egret. We will be expecting the first returning avocets and oystercatchers in mid February, and bitterns should start booming around the same time. So come along and visit for a healthy country walk and a chance to get close to nature.