Have you been enjoying Springwatch on the TV?
It's been great to watch the action from so many different nests at Pensthorpe, but there's nothing that really beats the chance to see wildlife up close and personal. And Minsmere is a great place to do just that!
We've been enjoying our own mini-Springwatch at Minsmere this week. BBC Radio Suffolk's Lesley Dolphin has been broadcasting her afternoon show from Minsmere for the last three days. We showed her some of the hidden parts of Minsmere, including the heath, livestock and reedbed. She even managed to spot a bittern, albeit only briefly.
We learnt many interesting facts from some of the guest speakers. For example, did you know that crayfish can crawl for up to one mile across land, or that prehistoric dragonflies were the size of black-headed gulls? Lesley also spotted dragonflies, butterflies and red deer, as well as avocets, mute swan cygnets and great spotted woodpeckers, showing just how varied Minsmere's wildlife is.
This weekend we have our special Springwatch event. Guides will be around the trails showing you nightingales, swallows, avocets, bitterns (hopefully) and ponies. Warden Paul Green will be runnign his new dragonfly roadshow at the pond, showing you Minsmere's dragonflies and damselflies. Robn Harvey will show you some of Minsmere's moths in the mornings.
Families can join in with pond dipping, face painting, seed planting and craft activities, as well as iscovering more of Misnmere's wildlife on the Kid's Quiz Trail, which takes you round the Scrape.
On Sunday, we are pleased to be welcoming Springwatch's new presenter, Chris Packham, to Minsmere. He will help our guides, and answer visitors' questions, as well as finding time to talk to Lesley Dolphin, who will be here once again.
If you want to meet Chris Packham, we suggest you arrive early. If you'd prefer to enjoy the Springwatch atmosphere without the crowds, Saturday is the day to come. The weathe rforecast is better, too, although you may still need your waterproofs to avoid the showers.
Why not get out and experience nature for yourself this weekend, then sit back and watch the rest of Springwatch ont he TV next week? It's a great way to spend a few hours. See you at the weekend!