Minsmere RSPB reserve

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