Don't let the short days, with the nights rapidly closing in and the continuing dull weather, put you off visiting Minsmere this winter. There's lots to see without the need for a long walk around the full circular walks.
You may simply want to visit the shop or cafe for some pre-Christmas shopping or a warming meal. From the reception or cafe you can check the feeders for finches and tits - including regular visits by marsh and coal tits and goldfinches. A great spotted woodpecker pops in from time to time too.
A short walk to the North Bushes could be productive too. The temporary path around the back is a bit muddy, but does get you even closer to the action. Among the tit flocks look out for long-tailed tits and goldcrests, and a firecrest has been seen a couple of times this week. It's a good area to look for bullfinches and siskins, and a brambling was heard there today. Even more excitingly, a waxwing was heard today (I thought I heard one yesterday too), raising hopes that more may follow. A weasel was seen in the North Bushes today too. Of course, there are many commoner species too, including this beautiful cock pheasant that I found feeding on the hawthorn berries yesterday. I hope he leaves some for the waxwings and fieldfares!
You can also pop into North Hide for a look across the Scrape to spot a variety of ducks, gulls, lapwings and snipe. If you walk a little further you can scan the sea for the chance of a red-throated diver, great crested grebe or gannet (though sadly the pilot whale pod seen recently in North Norfolk somehow relocated to Essex without being seen on the Suffolk coast).
An alternative is to walk up to the Whin Hill watchpoint and look out across Island Mere. From here you have a good chance of spotting much of the mere's wildlife, albeit a little distantly: bitterns or marsh harriers flying above the reeds, the brilliant white of the great white egret fishing, or even an otter. Beyond the mere you may spot the Bewick's swans feeding among a large herd of mute swans on flooded fields. Stroll down to the hide and there's a good chance of seeing kingfishers, bearded tits and snipe, or hearing water rails and Cetti's warblers. Stay till dusk and the starlings should arrive to roost. Maybe you'll hear a tawny owl too - one was seen near Island Mere today.
What better reason do you need to visit us this winter?
A lovely post, Ian. Love the pheasant!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.