Minsmere RSPB Reserve - a guide
Grid Ref TM474672
Detailed aerial view of RSPB Minsmere showing the hides
Most people get to Minsmere by car, taking the A12 north from Ipswich and turning right just after the bends at Yoxford (TM401691). The reserve is well signposted. It's not easy to get to by train or bus as the visitor centre is about 3km from Westleton. There is a dial-a-ride option from Westleton, but you have to book that the previous day.
Map of Minsmere reserve - trails are in orange.
The
reserve itself opens at 9am, and you get a permit from the visitor
centre next to the car park (shown with an i on the map). There are
two trails starting from the visitor centre, both about 1½ miles
long. If time is short you'll probably get a quicker win with the
Scrape trail which goes around the feature Minsmere is famous for
and where the birds are most easily viewed. The other trail features
more woodland habitat which takes a little more time and stalking to
give up its best.
Visitor Centre, shop, tearoom
Before
you start it's worth going through the visitor center and out past
the tearoom. In the summer the sand martin colony always
delights, and in winter the hanging feeders
are often worth a look, just for the sheer scale of the operation.
The trees behind the toilet block nearby are often full of finches
awaiting their turn there.
In Spring the Sand Martins come to nest in this
cliff above the site of the old car park, which has been turned into
a pond. The Sand Martins hunt for insects over many parts of the
reserve.
Scrape trail
If you're coming any distance you want to start early in which case you should go clockwise round the Scrape trail starting with North hide. If you go the other way you get strong backlighting with the sun in your face from the east-facing views from both the West and South Hide. From the visitor centre go down and to the left - there is a footbridge across the pond in front of the sand martins' cliff but if you take the alternative route around the edge of the pond there are some tables in a grove of trees. Warblers often show themselves here if you wait a while. The bushes by the side of the path from here to North Hide is also good for these and in summer visitors are often chided by the remarkably loud call of Cetti's Warbler.
North Hide
panoramic view of the Scrape from North Hide
You have a good panoramic view of the Scrape from here but the birds do tend to be at a distance so a telescope is handy here. The viewing is good for most of the day, even at midday the light is from behind you.
You go back along the path and turn to the right at the junction to go across the path leading across the reedbeds towards the sea. Just after the junction there is an area of open scrub on the left and some trees on the right. It can be worth sitting on the bench here and waiting to see what turns up. Sparrowhawk seem to have the same idea, watching from the trees at times.
North
Wall
panoramic view from North Wall
The path leading across the reedbeds is called North Wall, and in summer reed warblers and reed buntings will be heard from the reeds and occasionally seen.
This area is also noted for bearded tits, characterised by their loud "ping" call.
At the end of the North Wall path there is a bench, and you pass through a gate and out of the reserve onto the beach. Provided the wind isn't too chilly, it is worth walking along the path on the top of the sea wall, giving you an opportunity to do some seawatching as well as monitoring what is happening on the Scrape.
Shingle Beach
The beach is used in summer by terns and ringed plovers, and the bushes are worth scanning for linnets.
East Hide
panoramic view of the Scrape from East Hide
After a few hundred yards you can go through a gate which leads to East Hide. This gives you the closest views of the birds on the Scrape - it is very close to the water. Like most of the Minsmere hides this is a two-level hide and sometimes the lower level puts you only 10m away from some of the birds giving excellent views. This is about as close as you'll ever get to an avocet!
East
Hide isn't good on sunny evenings because of glare from the sun.
Retrace your steps back out of the reserve and on to the sea wall, turning right to carry on in the direction you were going before. Here you can see some of the history that created Minsmere - the rows of concrete cubes are the remnants of wartime defences, and the flooding of Minsmere to hamper invasion reduced disturbance allowing the Avocet to breed again.
The Sluice
The
bushes by the sea wall near the Sluice often hold pleasant surprises
like Dartford warblers in summer. On the reserve side you can
sometimes see Kingfisher on the inland waterway.
South Hide
panoramic view of the Scrape from South Hide
I haven't always had much luck at South Hide, it seems good for ducks in winter.
West Hide
panoramic view of the Scrape from West Hide
The Scrape in front of this hide is favoured by waders, and this hide is good for viewing later in the day. Conversely, you tend to get the sun in your face in the morning viewing over the Scrape.
Though the Scrape is the obvious attraction, it's worth the odd scan behind you if you are on the upper deck with a view over the reedbeds, where you may see a bird of prey hunting.
As you make your way back, keep an eye on the reeds to your left, and then on the woods as you get to the junction of the paths which go to the other trail, which often hold woodpeckers. At the junction, if you are returning to the visitor centre and car park go straight on, otherwise turn left towards Bittern Hide for the reedbed trail.
Reedbed trail
From the visitor centre you want to take the middle path (signposted to reedbed hides). The path goes through an old wooded part called south belt with a lot of dead wood left over from the 1997 gales. This area is always good for woodland birds. Carry on past the turning to the Scrape hides and you will come to
Bittern hide
Bittern hide is a massive single-level hide raised up for a high vantage point over a large reedbed. Good for bittern, though they are elusive as ever. I have only heard them so far.
the trail from Bittern Hide starts off with the woods continuing on the left, but the right had side opens up to Whin Hill, which has a lot of rabbits, and often many warblers and Mistle Thrushes. The woods to the left give way to the reedbed as you get closer to Island Mere Hide, and it is worth checking the long straight channels in the reedbed if there is something lurking by the water.
Island Mere Hide
panoramic view over the reedbeds from Island Mere Hide
Island Mere is good for seeing Marsh Harrier over the reedbeds, as well as gulls and wintering ducks. It is worth remembering to scan the reedbeds to the left as well as the mere ahead.
Make you way to the road by turning left at the junction of the paths near the hide. The region you enter the wooded bit before the tunnel of rhododendrons offers good opportunities for woodland birds, and this continues as you get to Sheepwash Lane (the road you came in to the reserve on). Turn right onto the road, and soon on the left you will come across
Tree
Canopy Hide
This hide is a remarkable piece of engineering and gives you a view of woodland that is hard to get any other way, perched up three flights of steps. It will produce good views of woodland birds provided you can get there early enough. It seems to go particularly quiet here at lunchtime and in the early afternoon, however.
Make your way back to the car park and visitor centre by turning left when you get to the road.