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Minsmere has had a bit of purple patch in the last week or so, although you had to be quick to catcha glimpse of all our unusual visitors. Typically, I missed them all. The first week of May saw sightings of two rare herons in the reedbed: purple heron and two great white egrets. Typically, they were...

It's been a very good week for rarities at Minsmere, but also a case of little and large. On Monday a superb male red-necked phalarope was found on South Scrape, where it was watched busily feeding until early evening. Contrary to popular belief, Adam didn't bring one back in his luggage from...

Have you been watching Springwatch on the BBC? It was heartbreaking to see those dead lapwing and osprey chicks yesterday after Friday's massive storm, but I was so pleased to see the goldcrest nest has survived - and as for those treecreepers ! After April's flooding at Minsmere, we know how...

Water levels are at last returning to normal, and while some parts of the visitor trails still have a few puddles, they are almost all completely accessible now. I say almost all, because a short section between South Belt crossroads and the Wildlife Lookout (West Hide) remains flooded and is accessible...

Apologies for the lack of a recent sightings update. It's not that there hasn't been much happening. Far from it. We've actually had a really busy couple of weeks for birds. I'll try to summarise the highlights for you. Skuas have featured heavily for those keen enough to try a bit...

Mid summer is a time of change at Minsmere. Many birds are already on the move. I noticed this weekend that the swifts appear to have left Beccles already, leaving the skies sadly quiet. There's nothing like screaming swifts to signify summer, but once the serious business of breeding is finished...

First the bad news. Fiona has left us. Yes, after a long stay at Minsmere, it seems that our resident greater flamingo has once again got itchy feet and gone on her travels. She was last seen on 30 June. Intrigingly, a flamingo was spotted on Monday afternoon walking along the runway at manchester airport...

The recent hot sunny weather has been ideal for insects at Minsmere. Even yesterday's heavy thundery showers should have limited effect on the good numbers of butterflies, dragonflies and other insects currently one the wing. July is one of the best months to watch insects, and with the birdlife...

Pardon mon ami. Je fait en vacance a la France. I hope that says "Sorry, friends. I have been on holiday in France." Although I've been back to France for what has become a regular trip in recent years, I must admit that my command of the language remains very poor. Yes, I did successfully...

That was the order of the day yesterday, and could be the case for the next few too if Carol can be belieive on BBC Breakfast News. Despite a wet start to the day, we had another very successful family day. We were actually quite lucky with the weather as there were torrential thunderstorms in Southwold...

Thursday's family day was a great success. About 100 children enjoyed taking part in a range of activities, and from the people I spoke to I know that amny of the parents learned something too. That's the plan - it is a family event afterall and there's always something to learn as far as...

Midsummer may be a quiet time for birding, but it's far from a dull time at Minsmere. There's just so much to see. With today's wind, many of the insects were seaking shelter on bramble bushes in woodland rides, simply resting in a sunny spot or feeding on the bramble flowers. Some bushes...

Birds are easy to see (at least many of them are) due to their size and mobility (even the smallest species such as goldcrest or wren are large when compared to insects). Birds are also what most people associate with Minsmere, yet they only make up a small proportion of the 5300 species so far identified...

First, apologies for the lack of updates for a few days. No excuses really, but I ran out of time on Friday and had the day off on Saturday to spend with my parents who were visiting - and of course with my wife and son. Second, I'm writing this update having not even seen Minsmere since Friday...

I was asked a question today that was perhaps only part in jest: "Where's the big screen on the Scrape?" The reply from one of our volunteers was "how many birds watch football?" My reply to that, looking at huge picture of a robin in the reception area was "Robinho for one...

The saga of the nightingale nest had a happy ending over the weekend, as the brood successfully fledged on Sunday. At least one chick was subsequently found - a great reward for the efforts of the parents, and our volunteers who spared several hours helping to reduce disturbance and allowing the adults...

There's been a world cup feel to Minsmere over the last few days, as three species from three different continents have attracted most attention. The continents: Africa, Arctic Europe and South America. The species: nightingale, spotted redshank and Chilean flamingo. The reasons for a visit: to breed...

I had a quick stroll to Bittern Hide at lunchtime int he hope of finally tracking down the purple heron. It was seen about half an hour earlier, but no sign during my visit. Nothing new there. No bittern either. However, I did have one of those magic moments that Minsmere is prone to conjuring up...

We had another great weekend at Minsmere. Our staff and volunteers spoke to many visitors, helping them to spot our special species and make the visit more enjoyable. It was great to see so many families, especially on Saturday when the weather was superb. Sunday remained dull and dreary, with the forecast...

This time last week I was soaking up the rays of French sunshine in the Cevennes, combining leading guided walks with a family holiday. What a great area for watching wildlife. Orchids galore, including two found nowhere else in the world. Loads of butterflies - just don't ask me exactly which blues...