I hope everyone is ready for Christmas now. Presents bought and wrapped. Turkey, beef or nut roast ready for the oven. Sprouts peeled. Mince pies cooked. Family gathered together.
Here at Minsmere we're almost ready for our short Christmas closure. Once we close the doors at 4 pm tonight, Minsmere is completely closed until 9 am on Thursday morning. That means that the hides, nature trails, car park and toilets will all be closed, not just the visitor centre.
However, it does not mean that you can't still enjoy seeing Minsmere's amazing wildlife whilst out and about on a post- (or even pre-) Christmas dinner walk, or the traditional Boxing Day family walk. Although you won't be able to use our car park or nature trails, there are still several miles of public footpaths that cross the reserve, including a five mile circuit that offers views across all our amazing habitats. These footpaths can be accessed from Eastbridge, Dunwich, Westleton Heath or Sizewell. Alternatively, why not explore RSPB North Warren, near Aldeburgh, where a flock of 120 white-fronted geese have been seen this week alongside hundreds of ducks and feral geese.
A white-fronted goose at North Warren by Jon Evans
From the aforementioned circular walk you should be able to see the flocks of red-throated divers, great crested grebes and common scoters offshore, large flocks of ducks on the Scrape (from the dunes or Public Viewpoint), marsh harriers over thee reedbed, and various tits, finches and thrushes in the woods. You'll also be able to watch the starling murmuration, which has been best watched from the Eastbridge end of the reedbed for the last two evenings.
Of course, there will be some wildlife that will be harder to see without having access to our nature trails and hides, but if you can wait until Thursday then these should still be present. This includes the family of whooper swans on the pool behind South Hide, a party of ten goosanders that have been found at Island Mere this afternoon, and the otters that are regularly seen at Island Mere.
Goosanders by Jon Evans
Other sightings today have included redwings in North Bushes, a few snipe, dunlins and black-tailed godwits on East Scrape, bearded tits, bitterns, water rails and a little grebe at Island Mere, and both great spotted woodpecker and moorhen on the visitor centre feeders. One lucky visitor has also spotted a short-eared owl along the dunes.
The best bird this week, though, was a single, brief waxwing that was spotted in North Bushes on Saturday morning by one of our volunteers. Sadly it disappeared just as quickly.
Which just leaves me to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas and fruitful New Year.
Why is Minsmere not open on Boxing Day as Saltholme in the county of Cleveland is open normal hours on Boxing Day including the Visitor Centre with Shop and Cafe open as well.?