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| RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk - EVENTS IN OCTOBER |
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| Details of guided walks October 2007 |
Birdwatching for beginners
Friday 12 and Wednesday 24 October. Start 10 am. (2-3
hours)
Since 1947, 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.
Discovering Minsmere
Monday 1, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 17, Friday 26 and Monday 29 October.
Start 10 am. (2-3 hours)
Join us to learn about the reserve’s habitats and their
management, birds and other wildlife. Our guides will show you
Minsmere’s varied wildlife, give tips on good fieldcraft,
and help you to get the most from your visit to one of Britain’s
premier birdwatching spots. Suitable for all abilities.
Wednesday 10 and Saturday 27 October. Start 9.30 am or 1 pm
(2-2.5 hours)
Discover what it takes to keep Minsmere in tip-top condition
from the comfort of a 4-wheel drive vehicle. This tour takes
in less well-known parts of the reserve, while reserve staff
explain about habitat management and what makes Minsmere such
a superb place for wildlife. Places are strictly limited, so
book early. Costs: adults £12 and children £8.
What’s about at Minsmere?
Monday 15 October. Start 7 am. (2-3 hours)
Ever wondered who it is that sees all the birds on the ‘What’s
about?’ sheet each day? Join the Minsmere birders on their
early morning walk and pick up tips on finding birds.
Weekend Wildlife Walks
Saturday 6, Sunday 14, Saturday 20 and Sunday 28 October. Start
at 9.30 am (3-4 hours)
Seasonal weekend walks will look for autumn migrants, wading
birds, ducks, deer or whatever wildlife highlights are present
at the time. There may be extra weekend walks organised, subject
to availability of guides. Please contact the reserve or go
to www.rspb.org.uk for details. |
| Special events for children and families |
All of our children’s events are closely
supervised and run by our trained field teachers. Pre-booking
is recommended, and children must be accompanied at all times.
There may be extra events for families during the school holidays;
these will be advertised at the reserve and on the RSPB website,
www.rspb.org.uk
Feed the Birds Day
Tuesday 23 October, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm (Allow at least
one hour)
Get ready to feed your garden birds this winter with craft activities
on a garden birds theme, including the chance to make your own
feeders and bird cake. Learn more about the types of food to
put out to attract birds to your garden. All materials supplied.
Cost £4 per child, accompanying adults free.
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| Other special events |
Migration watch
Thursday 4, Thursday 11, Thursday 18 and Thursday 25 October.
Start at 7 am (about 3 hours)
An early morning walk to look for passing migrants. If weather
conditions are right, we might see flocks of small birds arriving
from Europe, or geese and wading birds moving past offshore.
There could a rarity mixed in too.
In the rut
Sunday 7, Saturday 13, Tuesday 16, Sunday 21 and Tuesday 23
October at 7 am (2-2.5 hours)
At this time of year, red deer stags battle against each other
to claim the females. Join us to search for these awesome beasts
on Minsmere's fields and heaths. Please wear inconspicuous clothing.
These walks are always popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.
The tearoom will be open early after these walks so that you
can warm up with a hot drink and a light breakfast.
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| Other RSPB events on the Suffolk Coast |
RSPB North Warren nature reserve
With five different habitats all on one reserve, RSPB North
Warren is a haven for a range of wildlife, including Dartford
warblers and woodlarks on the heath, and large numbers of ducks,
geese and swans during the winter.
Visiting RSPB North Warren
North Warren is a short walk north from Aldeburgh town centre.
Buses run from Woodbridge and Saxmundham railway stations to
Aldeburgh. By car, park in the large pay and display car park
on Thorpe Road, Aldeburgh (TM467575), next to the Scallop sculpture.
There are cycle racks here. Walks start from this car park.
Entry to this reserve is free. A trail guide is available from
Minsmere and Aldeburgh Tourist Information Centre. Please book
these walks through the Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648281.
Guided walks cost: £5 adult (£4 RSPB members), £2.50
child (£2 RSPB Wildlife Explorers).
There are no special events at North Warren this month
RSPB Havergate Island nature reserve
Famous for its avocets, Havergate Island is a special place
where you will also see a wide range of other wading birds,
ducks, geese, swans and brown hares.
Visiting Havergate Island
Access is by boat from Orford Quay, and places are strictly
limited. From September to March, boats go on the first Saturday
of the month only. From April to August, boats visit every Thursday,
and on the first and third weekends of the month. Boats depart
at 10 am. A guide will usually be available on the island. To
book your visit to Havergate Island, please contact the Minsmere
visitor centre on 01728 648281. Cost: adults £7, RSPB
members £5, children £3, Wildlife Explorers £2.
Avocet river trips
Saturday 20 October at 11 am (2 hours)
Join an RSPB guide on Regardless looking for avocets and other
wading birds on the Alde-Ore Estuary and Butley River at low
tide. This is one of the best places to see large flocks of
avocets in winter. We will look for other wading birds as well
as ducks and geese from the boat as we explore the estuary around
Havergate Island. The boat will leave Orford Quay for a two-hour
trip. Cost: RSPB members £10, non-RSPB members £12,
children £6, RSPB Wildlife Explorers members £5.
Places are limited so advance booking is essential. Call Minsmere
on 01728 648281. We may need to cancel these trips at short
notice, for example in the event of severe weather.
RSPB events away from RSPB reserves
There are new circular walks on Westleton Heath and through
Dunwich Forest, where you can look for heathland wildlife such
as Dartford warblers and woodlarks. These walks are suitable
for dogs on leads. A leaflet is available from the Minsmere
visitor centre.
Snape Maltings farmers’ market walks
Saturday 6 October. Start at 11.00 am. (About
1.5 hours)
Enjoy this popular farmers’ market (which starts at 9.30
am), then join an experienced RSPB guide for an introduction
to the wildlife of the beautiful Alde Estuary. We should see
avocets (several hundred are usually here in winter) and other
wading birds, and will enjoy superb views of the estuary. The
walk starts outside the information centre at Snape Maltings.
Cost £1 per person, to go the Suffolk Coast and Heaths
CONNECT scheme, helping to fund conservation projects in the
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Booking not required. |
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