Blogs

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet – and I don’t mean the Famous Grouse whisky either! Talking of which, why not help the UK’s black grouse by buying some of the special black grouse whisky this year?

I’m really excited this year as it’s our new baby’s first Christmas. It’s just a shame that the weather forecast suggests that we’re in for a dull and dreary couple of days. It always feels more Christmassy if it’s cold and frosty.

Never mind! The birds certainly find it easier to survive when it’s a bit milder. Even so, the feeders outside the visitor centre continue to attract a constant stream of chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, and tits – blue, great, coal and marsh. The odd great spotted woodpecker and regular magpies and grey squirrels ensures that there’s never a dull moment when watching these feeders!

Now that we’re past the shortest day, the days will slowly start to lengthen, and this is the cue for many species to start preparing for spring. The first great spotted woodpeckers have already started drumming – if they pick a really good hollow branch the sounds echoes around the woods. The first thrushes will be singing soon too, and ducks on the Scrape will be beginning their courtship.

Why not visit us over the holiday period? There’s plenty to see. Just remember that Minsmere is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, although you can still view the Scrape and reedbeds from the public footpaths around the perimeter.

Have a fantastic Christmas. And don’t forget t keep your feeders and bird baths topped up over the festive period. I’ll write again early in 2009 – let’s hope it’s as exciting as this year has been.

Merry Christmas and a happy New year from all at RSPB Minsmere.

There’s been a real wintry feel to the last couple of weeks. We did have snow during the third weekend in November, but have missed the worst of the weather suffered in many parts of the country. There have been some cold frosts, cold winds and lots of rain though.

Luckily, the weather wasn’t as bad as expected for our recent Christmas crafts and carols event at Minsmere. This was the first time we’ve held a special Christmas event, and it was a great success.

One of our volunteers, Jon Gibbs, organised a small choir, which filled the air with popular Christmas carols. The tearoom staff put on a special festive menu, including local butternut squash soup, mince pies and mulled wine. There was even a lovely Christmas cake on offer!

The Minsmere field teachers laid on a selection of craft activities for families, and even went as far as dressing up in Christmas-themed costumes. Many of the children, and staff(!), also had their faces painted. The unlucky few had to make do with the substitute face painter – me – when Louise Gibbs took her lunch.

Two lucky visitors successfully guessed the names of our huge cuddly bear and sheep to win these gorgeous soft toys. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and most took the opportunity to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Out on the reserve, the ducks on the Scrape are looking fantastic. A party of 19 Bewick’s swans have started feeding in fields about 3 miles north of the reserve, so I can see them on my way into work each day. At least nine marsh harriers are roosting the reedbed each evening, and the water rails are particularly vocal at dusk. Two weeks ago we were treated to the fantastic sight of seven common cranes flying low over the office, the low afternoon soon highlighting every detail of their plumage against the stormy black sky. Magic!

I’m now really getting into the festive spirit, although I’ve still got loads of presents to buy. Tonight I’m going along to the RSPB Lowestoft local group Christmas party, then tomorrow it’s the Minsmere Wildlife Explorers’ party. Next week Minsmere’s volunteers have their annual Christmas get together, after which the countdown to Christmas will really feel like it’s begun.

I’ll write again before Christmas. Speak soon!