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Ranked 2 of 2 facilties in ranked in Suffolk
Wow factor
Accessibility
Photo potential
Minsmere RSPB reserve
| Directions: |
Follow the brown tourist signs from the A12 at Yoxford (from the south) or Blythburgh (from the north) to Westleton. From Westleton, take Dunwich road, then take first right. Turn left at crossroads, then follow reserve entrance track (20 mph limit). Turn left at Scotts Hall and car park is around 1/2 mile further on. The nearest rail station is Darsham (five miles away) on the East Suffolk line. Contact National Rail Enquiries (08457 484950) for connections. Nearest buses stop at Leiston (four miles) – follow B1122 past Leiston Abbey, turn right to Eastbridge, and continue along tarmac road to reserve. Demand-responsive Coastlink will meet buses and trains. Must be booked by 12 noon the day before travel. Contact Coastlink, tel: 01728 833526. |
| Accessibility: |
Open daily except 25 and 26 December, from 9am-9pm (or dusk if earlier). Apart from the track to Canopy Hide, some paths present access difficulties, but are being upgraded. For full access details see website. |
| Costs: |
£5 adults; concessions and family tickets available. Free to RSPB members. |
| Best time to visit: |
Spring for avocets and common terns; summer for young birds and bitterns; autumn for migrating flocks; winter for flocks gathering to feed, roosting and flying at dusk. |
Venue information
Minsmere is one of the RSPB’s premier reserves. To see avocets, marsh harriers and bitterns, Minsmere is the place to visit in spring and summer. In winter, the shallow lagoons attract many wading birds and waterfowl including black-tailed godwits, wigeon, teal and Bewick’s swans. The spring and autumn migration seasons are exciting times too, but Minsmere is more than just a birdwatchers’ site. There’s a wide network of paths and trails, enabling you to photograph native birds in different habitats – heath, woodland, beach and dunes. Like many RSPB sites most of the hides are too far from the action for good bird portraits, even with long telephoto lenses. However, one exception at Minsmere is the Canopy Hide, which gives very close access to the birds which can be photographed with a moderate telephoto lens.
Venue verdict: Definitely worth a visit but be prepared to be patient and have to work for your photographs.
Ratings (out of five): 3
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great place to get really close shots of birds only draw back school parts can cause havoc
(Written by: blacky)
20 April 2008 22:50
