Minsmere is a wonderful reserve with a mix of woodland, westland and coastal habitats. We caught a taxi, train and bus to get here but it was worth the time (about 2 hours) and the effort. The RSPB (Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds) are incredibly well set up with facilities and resources. All the guides are volunteers and there are loads of them. For about three weeks over the period we were there, there was a huge television crew broadcasting a programme called Spring Watch every evening. That may have been the reason there were so many visitors. They had set up cameras all over the reserve, in nests, up trees, underwater and in the reeds. The crew was surprisingly unobtrusive, you really had to look for them.
I was with my client so we were restricted to the areas he could get to. I would definitely love to go back and do the coast trail, but we did get to the North Hide where everybody was in a state of excitement. "Bittern flying!" - apparently an unusual sight. I did see it but it just looked like another bird in amongst a whole lot of others.
We also did the forest walk which was very easy going.
Sorry about the strange photo sizes - trying out new arrangements - it's a bit of a hit and miss process!
Now these are stinging nettles - I've never encountered them before and they are a damned painful experience. They are also everywhere. They sting even through clothing. To be avoided at all costs.
After lunch at the restaurant we did the journey home in reverse order.
I googled springwatch - it's a whole thing, been going for years. Who knew!
ReplyDeleteWhat's that in the last pic - holes in wood?
And yes, stinging nettles are a real pest. Dock leaves will soothe the sting though - and they often grow alongside the nettles. Rambling first aid 101. :-)