This morning we welcomed the local media to the Discovery Centre to meet the BBC Springwatch presenters - Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games - in advance of the show going on air from Monday.
It was lovely to see a couple of families playing in the wild zone when the presenters went outside to chat to individual reporters. A couple of very lucky children took the opportunity to say hello to all three presenters - a moment they won't forget. We were given a sneak insight into some of the stories that will covered on the programme. Without spoiling it too much, you can expect to see our badgers, adders and a variety of nesting birds, as well as wildlife stories from around the UK.
The show goes on air on Monday, 25 May, at 8 pm on BBC Two, followed by Unsprung on the red button at 9 pm. You can also watch on the red button from early on Monday morning, for the next three weeks.
The Springwatch studio
As last year, Minsmere is open as usual throughout the broadcast period. We'll have an overflow car park open, when needed, with a secondary reception, and extra toilets both there and at the visitor centre. The pop-up cafe returns to the woods near South Belt Crossroads, and will remain open until 6 pm - an hour and a half after our cafe closes - so you can enjoy an evening cuppa.
We also have extra volunteer guides around the reserve, at key hotspots, to help you to spot some of the wildlife stars of the series, and Minsmere's other amazing wildlife. The guides are there to help, so stop and have a chat if you see them.
The only restrictions on access will be temporary closures whilst the programme is on air - especially the temporary path up Whin Hill. All other areas should remain open at all times.
As we anticipate it being busy at times, we recommend arriving as early as possible - we are open from dawn every day.
There is, of course, lots to see. Highlights today included the now long-staying red-necked phalarope on East Scrape, two spoonbills on the Levels, lots of bittern, bearded tit and hobby sightings, avocet chicks on West Scrape and the little ringed plovers nesting on West Scrape. Other birds on the Scrape included little and Mediterranean gulls, little and common terns, black-tailed godwits and kittiwakes, while a peregrine was over the Levels. A holly blue was an unusual butterfly sighting this afternoon and the first variable damselflies are now on the wing.