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Hide no more! Wildlife set to come closer than ever
Last modified: 15 December 2011
The RSPB’s flagship site, Minsmere, on the Suffolk Coast is today revealing a brand new, spacious, modern and fully accessible place to watch some of the UK’s rarest wildlife.
Adam Rowlands, Senior Site Manager at Minsmere said: “Island Mere is one of the most popular places to watch wildlife at Minsmere, but the old hide was dark, cramped and beginning to show signs of age. The Minsmere Discover Nature Project gave us the opportunity to build an exciting new hide where all visitors will be able to enjoy even better views of Minsmere’s fantastic reedbed wildlife.
“With this superb new hide, we’ve improved views across the reedbed and mere making it even more exciting for our visitors. The areas in front of the hide that are favoured by feeding bitterns in the spring will still be as popular as ever. The new hide is accessible to wheelchair users who have previously had limited opportunity to look over the reedbed, and is welcome change from the traditional wooden box that can make hides off-putting for visitors.”
Minsmere volunteer guide, Nick Burfield said: “I can’t wait to visit the new hide! It looks superb. The big windows and open layout will make it so much easier to chat to visitors and help them to spot bitterns, marsh harriers and otters and discover some of Minsmere’s special wildlife.”
The new wildlife viewpoint is part of the reserve’s Discover Nature project which will see the site’s visitor facilities undergo a total make-over. With a new reception area, café and shop area as well as a brand new family learning zone, the site will soon be a haven for people as well as wildlife.
The new hide was designed and built by Gilleard Brothers, who have built hides on many nature reserves in the UK. Ron Gilleard said: “Of all the amazing places we’ve been asked to build hides, Minsmere is our favourite. It’s an honour to be asked to work at the RSPB’s flagship nature reserve, and even better when you can watch bitterns or short-eared owls while doing so.”
Island Mere Hide and boardwalk has received generous funding from Waste Recycling Group (WRG) via Suffolk Environmental Trust. Mike Snell, Head of External Affairs for WRG, said: “We are really proud to have helped realise this beautiful new hide through the funding that we provide via the Landfill Communities Fund.
“Through our work with our friends at SET and WREN, our aim is to bring meaningful benefits to communities across the UK. I can think of no better example than the Island Mere Hide, which will extend the opportunities for even more people to get out and watch the wildlife around them.”
Funding was also received through the Natura People project, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the INTERREG IV A 2 Mers Seas Zeeën Crossborder Programme 2007-2013 and various Charitable Trusts.