Guest blog by Mark Solomons, Minsmere volunteer
It may not always feel like it but spring is here and with it the regular Tuesday morning Spring Walks with Charles Cuthbert.
Three hours of trekking through the oomska after yet another night of rain brought a small but enthusiastic group of us close to an abundance of adders, gadwalls to godwits, a close-up view of a pair of obliging bearded tits and lots more besides.
Charles is a veteran guide, Suffolk born and bred and with a boyish enthusiasm for the three Fs – flora, fauna and fungi. Plus the fourth F of course – fresh air. That enthusiasm is infectious, without the need for self-isolation, whether the walkers are seasoned birders or nature loving newbies.
It's not just about birds. Everything from otter spraints to bird’s nest fungi are pointed out on the walk.
With the help of other guides pinpointing the locations, there was a long distance sighting of an adder on the way to the North Wall, where the RSPB team have a sign to help you to find the best spot, without disturbing these sensitive reptiles. We were lucky, as Charles's local knowledge provided us with a far closer chance to see four males in another location, basking in whatever sunshine they could grab ahead of the mating season.
It’s a good time of year to see these shy but beautiful creatures. As we found, you can spot them anywhere, but the RSPB team recommends that you look for them in the designated area around the North Bushes.
From the hides there were lapwings dancing through the air closer than a long lens would allow while further out there were avocets, the RSPB’s signature bird of course, along with shovelers, teal, tufted ducks, the occasional turnstone, a pair of smews, a sanderling and a group of whooper swans.
All of which is not bad going considering how much water there is covering the usual nesting sites of the birds.
But best of all, for some of us at least, a pair of bearded tits in the reeds along the North Wall not only appeared but stayed visible long enough to get a decent view and a decent picture, despite the wind. Too often they flit in and out without stopping but this time they practically posed for the cameras.
Charles and fellow guides David, Nick and John were on hand throughout to point out a flock of long tailed tits – unusual for this time of year when they should be pairing up – stonechats and a reed bunting.
This time of year is ideal to see both the winter visitors before they go home, the summer visitors as they arrive and the seasonal displays of courting birds, reptiles and mammals.
Charles's spring walks will be every Tuesday this month, while Phil and Derek lead these walks at weekends - see here for details of how to book. From April, Charles and David will be up and about early to lead our popular Sounds of Spring birdsong walks, which include breakfast. T For full details of these and all other events at Minsmere, please see here.