Today is World Wetlands Day, which celebrates the signing of the RAMSAR Convention recognising Wetlands of International Importance. This important international convention was signed in the Iranian town of Ramsar on 2 February 1971. Minsmere is one of many Ramsar sites in the UK and across the world, reflecting it's importance for wetland wildlife. This is also just one of the many national and international conservation designations that apply to Minsmere: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserve (NNR), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Natura 2000, Council of Europe Diploma to name just some of them.
Island Mere during the recent ice
As we're celebrating World Wetlands Day, it's only right that I start today's sightings round up with the Scrape, where there are some extremely impressive counts of birds this week. Perhaps the most impressive were 650 Shovelers, 200 Pintails , 900 Teals and 1500 Lapwings, but there are also good counts of Shelducks, Mallards and Wigeons filling every pool and island on the Scrape. Add in up to five Bewick's Swans, 12 Whooper Swans, 10 Mute Swans, two Egyptian Geese and six Tufted Ducks, and there's no lack of wildfowl to keep you busy and test your ID skills.
Just a small selection of the ducks on the Scrape. How many species can you identify?
It's not just wildfowl, either. Waders are returning in bigger numbers and more variety now that the islands have reappeared on the Scrape. Counts this week have included six Avocets, eight Black-tailed Godwits, eight Dunlins, five Turnstones 12 curlews, plus one or two Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers, Snipe and even a Spotted Redshank. There's also a mix of Herring, Common, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls, plus Little and Great Egrets and Grey Herons.
The Scrape isn't the only wetland habitat at Minsmere, of course, and the reedbed is also home to a great mix of wetland wildlife. Sightings at Bittern Hide and Island Mere this week have included Bittern, Great Egret, Kingfisher, all three species of swan, Little Grebe, Coot, Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit and Otter. The ringtail Hen Harrier continues to hunt over the reeds, and a recent roost count included an incredible 48 Marsh Harriers.
A Bittern at Island Mere
Our biggest wetland is, of course, the North Sea, and sightings offshore have included Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Gannet, Kittiwake, Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver and Grey Seal - though a telescope is useful for spotting most of these.
Perhaps a less known wetland is the wet woodland that fringes the reedbed. Here, the Alder trees, with their distinctive small cones, are good places to look for flocks of Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and Goldfinches. Check carefully, though, as we're still getting reports of a few Common (or Mealy) Redpolls in the flock - despite their name they are less common in the UK, but more common than the lessers in northern Europe. The Alder woodland between Island Mere and the Rhododendron Tunnel is also a place to look for Marsh, Coal and Long-tailed Tits.
The tits may also be found around the feeders, as will Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker, while the best spot for Treecreeper is the Oak trees behind the reception area. Bullfinches continue to be regularly seen in the North Bushes, and a very vocal Tawny Owl near Bittern Hide yesterday had presumably been woken up by the Jay that I could hear mobbing it. With the milder weather we've also seen the first Red Admiral and Buff-tailed Bumblebee this week, and it won't be a surprise if an Adder is reported soon.
Jays often disturb a roosting Tawny Owl with their harsh calls
Please do your bit to help our wetland wildlife further by continuing with your RSPB membership and maybe by creating your own mini wetland in the garden - a pond, bog garden or even just an upturned bin lid can all make a difference.