A guide's guide to Springwatch at Minsmere

Guest blog by Beth Taylor, Minsmere volunteer guide

June 2014 - what a wonderful time to be a new volunteer at Minsmere! I’ve enjoyed every minute of my three weeks here, and learned a huge amount from the RSPB staff and other volunteers.

I was first introduced to Minsmere 40 years ago by my godmother Betty Nash, one of the early pioneers in 1948 who worked to establish the reserve.

The arrival of 100 or so BBC staff, presenters and all their high-tech equipment has been very exciting, and there has been a tremendous ‘buzz’ around the place. My role has mainly been with the team of hotspot guides showing people birds and other wildlife from the hides, with some sessions in the café and reception at busy times.

Beth during a rare quiet moment in Island Mere Hide

Springwatch has brought in lots of first-time visitors and its been equally rewarding to show them their first bittern or hobby, to introduce them to the territorial behaviour of dragonflies, or show how male sticklebacks nurture their eggs. Highlights for me were:

• Watching a family of six stoats frolicking on the path
• Seeing two ‘semi-fledged’ bitterns near the Island Mere hide
• Getting a scope on a hobby perched near the Bittern Hide
• A close encounter with an adder
• Being in the Unsprung audience
• Seeing first hand how wildlife is filmed
• Learning the songs of marsh tits and garden warblers for the first time
• Finding bee orchids on Sizewell beach

Springwatch has really emphasised the diversity of what’s on offer here besides birds, as well as new insights into predation problems. It’s also been fantastic to be able to spend all day discussing various sightings with people in the hides, café, in the pub or local area and not be considered a nerd! 

Please can I come back next year?