I think autumn has definitely settled in now. I was told Havergate could be a very cold and harsh place, especially in the winter and I can quite believe it! Even now in mid October a warm coat and a hat is recommended. You shouldn’t be put off by this though. Havergate is a spectacular place this time of year and autumn/ winter is the best time to see high numbers of waders and wildfowl feeding on our lagoons.

Yesterday we had our first visitor trip in collaboration with the Crown and Castle Hotel in Orford. 5 visitors staying at the hotel donned their waterproofs and braved the bad forecast to visit Havergate and despite the constant rain, we all had a fantastic day.

A good variety of birds could be seen feeding on the lagoons and to top the day of we had amazing views of a ring tailed Hen harrier and Marsh Harrier hunting over the longer vegetation along the sea walls. The weather didn’t dampen everyone’s enthusiasm as we stopped and watched a couple of hares who didn’t seem to mind the rain sheltering under the gorse bushes.

I think everyone deserved the chocolate cake and coffee that was waiting for them in the hotel when they returned and I am looking forward to our next trip next week. Please check our website events page  http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/h/havergate/events.aspx. We will be updating it very soon with all the trips and events running next year.