A few updates as we progress with reopening:
Our team is now outside to welcome you at the visitor centre. Come speak to us and we will explain all the changes that have been put in place. Bring your membership cards with you. There is a suggested donation of £5 for non-members or even better you can become a member with us on the day!
Our shop is now open! Opening times are 10-4 Monday-Sunday. Our café reopens on Tuesday 18th August 2020, but we are offering grab and go options including takeaway teas and coffees and ice-cream in the meantime.
Make sure to bring your face masks with you as you will need to wear one inside the Shop and in the hides.
Come prepared, bring hand sanitiser with you to use after you touch a gate or surface. Wash your hands frequently.
NO DOGS are allowed on the reserve. Our shaded parking area for dog owners is closed due to the high temperatures. Please do not leave dogs in vehicles.
No cycling, fires, BBQs or drones are permitted on the reserve. ♂️
Do bring picnics, make use of our benches and take all litter home with you.
Do park considerately, leave a car space between cars to allow social distancing. If the car park is full please return another time. Do not park in passing places or across gates.
Toilets are cleaned several times a day and open only 9am-5pm. Follow the one-way system for entering and leaving the toilet facilities, only one person or household to use the toilets at one time.
Wildlife Lookout and South Hide are now open 10am-4pm to allow cleaning at the start and end of the day, all other hides are closed. The hides have restrictions on capacity, social distancing and you will need to wear a face mask as they are an enclosed space. Please be considerate of other users, don't be a 'hide hog' and give up your seat if others have been waiting a while. Do share your sightings with others in the hides and with our staff at the visitor centre. We have open viewpoints around the reserve where people can watch wildlife and social distance. Our paths are wide but where there are narrower areas please give way and allow people to pass safely.
The WildZone and Den building remains closed for the moment pending full safety checks, including for 'summer drop'. We have a children's trail setup by Canopy Hide, please ask at the visitor centre for directions.
Do point out interesting things you see to other visitors, but do not allow others to use your equipment – as tempting as it is to let someone look through your scope you are putting yourself and them at risk.
If you have any concerns or questions, please comment below or email us minsmere@rspb.org.uk
Recent Sightings:
15 Aug – Great white egret – one on South Scrape
15 Aug - Sand martin fledglings – sand bank near pond
15 Aug – Pied flycatcher – nine in Sluice bushes, many found along beach toward Sizewell
15 Aug – Great green bush cricket – several on North Wall and Whin Hill
15 Aug – Bittern – several sightings on North Wall and at Whin Hill viewpoint
15 Aug – Marsh harrier – several over the reedbed including many young birds recently fledged
15 Aug – Stone curlew – North Wall viewpoint
15 Aug – Bearded tit – several groups along North Wall and Sluice trail
15 Aug – Avocet – 68+ on South and East Scrape
15 Aug – Dartford warbler – several in the dunes – please watch from a distance to minimise disturbance
15 Aug – Common whitethroat – several, North Wall
15 Aug – Ruff – six on East Scrape
15 Aug – Common Sandpiper – three on East Scrape
15 Aug – Common tern – 30+ offshore
15 Aug – Spotted redshank – 10 on East & South Scrape at evening roost
15 Aug – Common redshank – seven on East Scrape
15 Aug – Knot – five on South Scrape
15 Aug – Whimbrel – one flew south over beach
15 Aug – Ringed plover – five on East Scrape
15 Aug – Little ringed plover – one East Scrape
15 Aug – Hobby – two over Whin Hill and Scrape
15 Aug – Green Sandpiper – five on East Scrape
15 Aug – Yellow Wagtail – three on Konik Field
15 Aug – Gannet – 10+ offshore
15 Aug – Willow warbler – calling by pond
15 Aug – Dunlin – eight on East Scrape
15 Aug – Black-tailed godwit – 12+ on Scrape
15 Aug – Cetti’s warbler – North Bushes & between South Hide & Wildlife Lookout
15 Aug – Wheatear – two in the dunes
15 Aug – Little gull – two on South Scrape
14 Aug – Mediterranean Gull – one offshore
14 Aug – Adder – one on Woodland trail
14 Aug – Sandwich tern – three on South Scrape, 30+ offshore
14 Aug – Arctic skua – two offshore
14 Aug – Balearic shearwater – one close in offshore
14 Auf – Painted lady butterfly– several in the dunes
12 Aug – Golden plover – one on South Scrape
12 Aug – Grey plover – one on South Scrape
10 Aug – Crossbill – 12 flew south over car park