Lasting Memories From Minsmere

I remember coming to Minsmere as a child of about 7 with my dear Gran (a keen birdwatcher), my Mum and Sister. I don’t remember much of the day as it was a fair while ago now but two things really stood out for me that I can still remember. My Gran pointed out to me a round little brown bird and got me to look at it through her binoculars. I remember her describing to me how to tell what type of bird it was and that it’s sticky up little tail showed it was a wren. Whenever I hear a little wren signing with it’s extraordinary volume now I can’t help but think of my Gran; a short moment in my childhood that has lasted a lifetime in my memory. It is moments like that, something so simple but yet so often overlooked that made me apply for the role of Visitor Experience Officer at Minsmere. I wanted to bring moments like that to the next generation, to inspire and spark off a love of nature to help bring awareness of the environment around us, the amazing nature we have on our doorstep and the troubles that some species are experiencing due to changes and modern day life. Even if I only managed to reach and inspire a few children then I would have given them a gift which I myself was given and one I greatly value.

The other memory I have from that day was my Mum shouting at my Sister because she was just about to stand on an adder! The first and only time I have seen an adder at Minsmere, despite my best efforts to try to find one in the last year and a half! I can remember the striking appearance of the adder within centimetres of my sister’s foot and not feeling frightened by it (or frightened for her) but fascinated by it. So, my first memories of Minsmere were two very different memories but each with equal impact that have lasted 28 years!

It is my last day as a Visitor Experience Officer at Minsmere today and I have greatly enjoyed the role. What a fantastic organisation to work for in such a beautiful location. I genuinely believe I have delivered on my own personal goal of bringing fantastic nature experiences to the next generation and I am certain that there are many who will have lasting memories from Minsmere which will encourage them to continue to care about nature and it’s future.

As I headed out at lunchtime for a walk in the glorious sunshine I decided to head down to East Hide, my favourite hide and along the beach. I was in a reflective mood thinking about all the amazing experiences I have had here and everything I have learnt. I stopped to take a look across the Scrape from the new viewpoint by the pond and took in the stunning scenery of this special place. I carried on a little further then stopped at the Stone Curlew viewpoint as there had been reports earlier of a honey buzzard in the trees at the back of the field. Unfortunately there was no sign of it so I carried on along North Wall with sand martins whizzing over my head. After looking out to sea I headed to East Hide.

The Scrape from the viewpoint near the pond.

From East Hide I was greeted by my favourite Minsmere bird the ringed plover. There were quite a few of them scuttling around on the nearby islands amongst the black headed gulls, avocets and mallards. I was hoping to see a little ringed plover that had been spotted earlier right in front of the hide but unfortunately it was no longer there.

There was a heat haze just off the surface of the water in the distance but it didn’t prevent me from seeing the shelduck with her eight ducklings having a swim. The shelduck parents were being very good parents and keeping their young all together. I do love Spring.

After spending a few moments enjoying the view from East Hide I headed down the beach towards the sluice with the intention of seeing more of my favourites. I am always amazed by how well camouflaged these little birds are and it is only when they move that you can first pick them up with your eyes. I am also always surprised by how exposed the nest sites they choose are. I enjoyed watching the several pairs of ringed plovers on the beach and a few sitting on nests and was then treated to seeing a ringed plover chick darting about near its parent. I can honestly say they are one of the most adorable things I have ever seen but I did not want to get too close so did not manage to get a very good picture.

I headed back along the beach observing a kestrel hovering very close by and then being chased off by a gull. Returning via North Wall and got momentarily distracted again by the fantastic wildlife; these two common blue butterflies were dancing around in the sky above the path and were so engrossed in their courtship that they nearly landed on me!

I have had so many wonderful experiences at Minsmere that it is hard to reflect on all of them but I know many will remain in my lifelong memories. This is the end of my chapter here as an employee at RSPB Minsmere but it is definitely not the end of my journey learning about nature and inspiring children to do the same. I look forward to volunteering for the RSPB and bringing my children here to enjoy all the fantastic activities the reserve offers as visitors, sharing with them all the incredible wildlife we have right on our doorstep in Suffolk.