RSPB events on the Suffolk coast, April 2013
All of the events below are at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, Westleton, Suffolk, IP17 3BY unless
otherwise stated
____________________________________________________________
Guided walks at Minsmere
(www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere)
Costs : Adults £5, children £2.50, plus usual reserve entry fees.
Places limited. Unless stated, booking is essential. Call 01728 648281 or email
bookings.Minsmere@rspb.org.uk
Reserve entry fees are adults £7.50, concessions £5, children £3, families £15. RSPB members
and RSPB Wildlife Explorers free.
Weekend wildlife walk
April: Sat 6, Sun 14, Sat 20, Sun 28
Start at 9.30 am (3 hours)
Join us for a seasonal weekend walk to look for breeding birds, flowers, insects, migrants, wintering
ducks and a host of other wildlife highlights that may be present at the time.
Birds for beginners
April: Mon 8, Wed 24
Start at 1.30 pm. (2.5 - 3 hours)
Many people have started birdwatching at Minsmere. Join us on this beginners’ walk where you will
learn how to use binoculars properly and which field guides are best for you. You can then use this
information to enjoy watching birds as we show you some of Minsmere’s wildlife.
Health walks
April: Tues 23
Start: 11.00am – 12.30pm
A walk with a difference, as fresh air, meeting new friends and beautiful landscapes are the main
focus. We will, of course, spot some wildlife too. Arrive on day. No charge.
Spring birds
April: Fri 5, Thurs 11, Fri 19, Thurs 25
Start at 9.30 am (2.5 – 3 hours)
Birds, birds, and more birds! That’s what we offer you on this walk. Minsmere in the spring is
possibly the best place in the country to see and hear the widest variety of birds, and we will aim to
show you as many as possible.
Dawn chorus and breakfast
April: Sat 27
Start at 4 am (2.5 hours, plus breakfast)
Dawn chorus can be an unforgettable Minsmere experience, with everything from bitterns to
nightingales, Cetti’s warblers to avocets, joining in the chorus as the sun rises. A hearty breakfast in
the tearoom rounds off a perfect start to the day. These are our most popular walks, so please
book early. Costs are adults £22, RSPB members £17, children £14, or RSPB Wildlife
Explorers £12
Nightingales and warblers
April: Mon 22, Fri 26, Mon 29
Start at 7 am (2-2.5 hours)
This is a later start than our dawn chorus walks, but still timed to experience all the variety of spring
birdsong at Minsmere, from the bittern’s strange booming call to the nightingale’s glorious notes. The
tearoom will be open early after these walks so you can warm up with a hot drink and light
breakfast.
Special events at Minsmere
(www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere)
Places limited. Booking essential. See details for costs.
Binocular and telescope demonstration
April: Sat 20 & Sun 21
10am to 4pm
Expert advice on choosing the right binoculars, telescopes and accessories. Run in conjunction with
Viking Optical of Halesworth, there will be a wide range of optics available to test and buy,
so whether you're choosing you first binoculars or looking to upgrade, we'll have the right optics for
you.
Bird ringing demonstration
April: Saturday 20, Sunday 21
10 am to 4 pm
Get up close and personal with some of our commoner birds and discover how and why we catch
birds to put tiny rings on their legs. Specially trained ringers from the Waveney Bird Club
(www.waveneybirdclub.com) will explain what information we learn about birds’ lifestyles through
ringing. Free event, but normal reserve entry fees apply.
Art Exhibition: Paul Dyson
April: Fri 26 – Mon 29
10 am – 4 pm
Popular wildlife artist Paul Dyson returns to Minsmere for an exhibition in the Discovery Centre. He’ll
be present each day to give tips to budding artists and demonstrate his artistic skills. Free (normal
reserve entry fees apply). No need to book.
Special events for families
(www.rspb.org.uk/events)
Make a flower sugar feeders
April: Tues 2, Tues 9
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Make a colourful flower (all materials provided) to attract and feed the insects in your garden. Get a
small sachet of special sugar solution take home, and see what comes to feed on it.
Cost: £5.00 per flower, plus normal reserve entry fees.
Look for the signs of spring
April: Wed 3, Fri 12
Start at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm (30-40 minutes)
Look for signs of spring at Minsmere on this fun introductory family walk.
Cost: £1.50 per person, plus normal reserve entry fees.
Make a bumbleebee homes
April: Thurs 4, Thurs 11
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Make a little home for a bumblebee to live or rest in when it’s cold and wet. Then take it home and
put in your own garden to enjoy the sound of buzzing bees in your garden this summer.
Costs £5.00 per home, plus normal reserve entry fees.
Snake walk
April: Fri 5
Time: 9.30 am
A new family walk for children and parents to learn about the reptiles like adders and common lizards
found at Minsmere. The early start is the best time to see snakes, as they haven’t warmed up and
slow moving!
Cost: Adults £5, children £2.50, plus usual reserve entry fees.
Places limited. Booking is essential, call 01728 648281
Journeys with artist in residence Liz McGowan
April: Fri 5, Sat 6, Sun 7
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Come and celebrate the amazing journeys made by migrating birds! Artist in residence Liz McGowan
invites you to help to make a flock of flying birds which will swoop over Minsmere to celebrate the
spring migration. No previous experience necessary! You can also record your own journey and
compare it with some of the amazing journeys made by the birds arriving at Minsmere. No need to
book.
Pond dipping
April: Mon 8
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Dip your net and see what creatures you can find in the pond. Note: this event will be cancelled if the
pond is frozen. Normal reserve entry fees apply. No need to book.
Love Nature? Connect with snakes & newts
April: Saturday 6
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Minsmere is great for reptiles like adders and lizards. Our pond is great for amphibians like newts
and toads (if the Bittern hasn’t eaten them!). Come and learn more about these secretive creatures,
with help from the Suffolk Amphibians and Reptiles Group.
No need to book. Normal reserve entry fees apply. There may be a charge for some activities.
Woodland birds have talent
April: Fri 12
Time: 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 am, 2.30 pm
Can you hear our top five woodland birds? A chance to begin learning birdsong with advice from our
guides. Ideal for families.
Costs £1.50 per person, plus normal reserve entry fees.
Love Nature at Minsmere
April: Saturday 20, Sunday 21
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Get up close and personal with some of our commoner birds and learn about bird ringing. Discover
how and why we catch birds to put tiny rings on their legs. Watch and listen as birds establish
breeding territories and start to nest. This is a joint event with Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group and
Suffolk County Council. There will be pond dipping and other fun activities, and our guides will show
you some of Minsmere’s best wildlife. No need to book. Normal reserve entry fees apply. There
may be a charge for some activities.
Events at RSPB Snape
(www.rspb.org.uk/snape)
There are no events at RSPB Snape this year
Guided walks at RSPB North Warren
(www.rspb.org.uk/northwarren)
There are no events at RSPB North Warren this month
Events at RSPB Havergate Island
(www.rspb.org.uk/havergateisland)
Look out for regular boat trips on the first Saturday of each month, except where these clash
with event weekends (advance booking required via Minsmere on 01728 648281). Boats depart
10 am. Costs as per events.
Photography: day of discovery
April: Sun 21
Boat departs at 6 am. Return at 6 pm
Experience a full day on Suffolk’s only island with four highly skilled photography tutors. Explore the
unique landscape, watch famous hares, and take time out to learn about capturing nature’s beauty on
your camera. Full catering is provided by Pump Street Bakery, Orford. Places are strictly limited.
Cost: RSPB members £130, non members £170. Not suitable for under 16s. Booking essential,
via Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648281.
Havergate’s hares
April: Sat 6, Sun 7, Mon 8
Boats depart at 9 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 1 pm (3 hours each)
Havergate is a great place to watch brown hares, especially in spring. Join us on a trip to this special
island in search of these fantastic mammals. Will you be lucky enough to see them boxing? There will
be a good variety of migrant wading birds, late departing ducks, barn owls, little egrets and much
more to see. Book early to avoid disappointment. Members £12, non members £19 (no child
discount). Boats depart Orford Quay. Booking essential, via Minsmere visitor centre on 01728
648281.
Events April 2013, by date
Events at Havergate Island
(all other events at RSPB Minsmere)
Family events
Free events
April:
Tues 2 – Flower sugar feeders: 10 am – 4 pm
Wed 3 – Signs of spring: from 10.30 am
Thurs 4 – Bumblebee homes: 10 am – 4 pm
Fri 5 – Spring birds: 9.30 am
Fri 5 – Journeys with Liz McGowan: 10 am – 4 pm
Fri 5 – Snake walk: 9.30 am
Sat 6 – Havergate’s hares: from 9 am
Sat 6 – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Sat 6 – Journeys with Liz McGowan: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat 6 - Love Nature? Connect with snakes & newts
Sun 7 – Havergate’s hares: from 9 am
Sun 7 – Journeys with Liz McGowan: 10 am – 4 pm
Mon 8 – Havergate’s hares: from 9 am
Mon 8 – Pond dipping: 10 am – 3 pm
Mon 8 – Birds for beginners: 1.30 pm
Tues 9 – Flower sugar feeders: 10 am – 4 pm
Wed 10 – Woodland birds have talent: from 10.30 am
Thurs 11 – Spring birds: 9.30 am
Thurs 11 – Bumblebee homes: 10 am – 4 pm
Fri 12 – Signs of spring: from 10.30 am
Sun 14 – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Fri 19 – Spring birds: 9.30 am
Sat 20 – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Sat 20 – Bird ringing demonstration: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat 20 – Binocular & telescope demonstration: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat 20 – Love Nature at Minsmere: 10 am – 4 pm
Sun 21 – Photography: Day of Discovery on Havergate: 6 am – 6 pm
Sun 21 – Bird ringing demonstration: 10 am – 4 pm
Sun 21 – Binocular & telescope demonstration: 10 am – 4 pm
Sun 21 – Love Nature at Minsmere: 10 am – 4 pm
Mon 22 – Nightingales and warblers: 7 am
Tues 23 – Health walk: 11 am
Wed 24 – Birds for beginners: 1.30 pm
Thurs 25 – Spring birds: 9.30 am
Fri 26 – Nightingales and warblers: 7 am
Fri 26 – Art Exhibition: Paul Dyson: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat 27 – Dawn chorus and breakfast: 4 am
Sat 27 – Art Exhibition: Paul Dyson: 10 am – 4 pm
Sun 28 – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Sun 28 – Art Exhibition: Paul Dyson: 10 am – 4 pm
Mon 29 – Nightingales and warblers: 7 am
Mon 29 – Art Exhibition: Paul Dyson: 10 am – 4 pm
Visiting arrangements at Minsmere
Entry charges to the reserve:
adult £7.50,
child £3 (under 5s free),
families £15 (two adults and up to four children),
concession £5.
Free for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members.
Your entry fee will be refunded if you become a member on the day of your visit.
Opening times
Nature trails and hides open daily.
From 1 February to 31 October:
Visitor centre and shop open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Cafe open 9 am to 4.30 pm.
Hot food served 11.30 am to 2.30 pm.
From 1 November to 31 January:
Visitor centre, shop and cafe open 9 am to 4 pm
Reserve and all facilities closed 25 and 26 December.
Facilities at Minsmere
Access to the visitor centre is free. At the reception desk, you can hire binoculars or borrow a free
children’s Explorer Backpack. You can also find out more about the reserve and the RSPB. The shop
stocks a wide range of books, outdoor clothing, gifts, binoculars and telescopes. You can enjoy a
light meal or snack in the cafe. There are toilets, with baby changing facilities, and a large car park
beside the visitor centre.
Families can explore the Discovery Centre, Wild Zone and Wild Wood Adventure to find out about
Minsmere’s wildlife.
A permit is needed for the two nature trails, which are each about 1.5 miles long. Two of the eight
birdwatching hides are accessed via steps, and two via the beach. The rest of the hides and trails are
accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. A free trail guide is available from reception.
Sorry, no dogs on the nature trails, but they are welcome around the visitor centre and car park,
where there is a limited amount of shaded parking.