RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk - WHAT'S ON SEPTEMBER
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WILDLIFE INDEX September Programme
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Details of guided walks in September 2007
Birdwatching for beginners
Monday 10 and Thursday 27 September. Start 9.30 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 3, Friday 14, Wednesday 19 and Tuesday 25 September. Start 9.30 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 as it celebrates 60 years as an RSPB nature reserve. Suitable for all abilities.

Minsmere safari
Wednesday 12 and Sunday 23 September. 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?
Saturday 15 September. 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
Sunday 2, Saturday 8, Sunday 9, Sunday 16, Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 September. Start at 9.30 am (3-4 hours)
Seasonal weekend walks will look for spring migrants, insects or flowers in summer and autumn wading birds, 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 at Minsmere
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
There are no special children’s events in September.
Other special events
Introduction to wildlife photography with Chris Packham and Nikon UK
Sunday 2 September, 10 am – 4 pm. Note: this is an additional event, not in the original programme
Leading TV wildlife presenter and writer Chris Packham will be at Minsmere to celebrate the art of wildlife photography. Chris will lead a programme of introductory guided walks and talks during the day. Places are available on talks at 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Nikon UK staff will be hand with a full range of optical equipment and cameras to demonstrate. Contact Minsmere Visitor Centre for full details and to reserve your place on a walk or talk – 01728 648281.

Book launch and signing: The Country Diary of a Suffolk Naturalist
Sunday 2 September, from 10 am. Note: this is an additional event, not in the original programme
Inspired by Edith Holden’s classic The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, written 100 years previously, the RSPB’s Suffolk Coast Area Manager, Rob Macklin, has written this superb new book based on a year of wildlife observations, primarily at RSPB North Warren nature reserve in Suffolk. Rob will be signing copies in the Minsmere visitor centre to mark the book’s launch.

Optics days
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September, 10 am to 4 pm
An opportunity to view and buy from a wide range of the best binoculars and telescopes, with expert advice on hand. Special offers may be available. A selection of optics is always in stock, and our staff are happy to discuss your requirements. Days run in conjunction with Viking Optical of Halesworth.
Minsmere: an historical perspective

Thursday 20 September. Start at 9.30 am (2-3 hours)
There is more to Minsmere than wildlife. Join us as we explore Minsmere’s fascinating history, from the 12th century monks of Leiston Abbey to the battle to keep Hitler at bay, and why this led to the arrival of the RSPB in 1947. Discover what the future may hold too.

Painting workshop with Peter Partington
Saturday 22 September, 10 am to 4 pm
Peter Partington is one of Britain’s top wildlife artists, an illustrator of many books and cards, and a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or experienced hand, Peter will show you how to develop your sketching skills. Cost £25 per person. Send an sae marked ‘Painting workshop’ for more details, or email minsmere@rspb.org.uk

RSPB North Warren nature reserve
Entry to the reserve is free. A trail guide is for sale at Minsmere. 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).

Getting to 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.
There are no events at North Warren in SeptemberRSPB 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, wildfowl and brown hares.

Visiting Havergate Island
Access is by boat from Orford Quay, and places are strictly limited. From April to August, boats visit every Thursday, and on the first and third weekends of the month. From September to March, boats go on the first Saturday of the month only. 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.
There are no special events at Havergate in September

RSPB events away from RSPB reserves
These walks 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.

RSPB walk at Snape Maltings Farmers Market
Saturday 1 September. Start at 11.00 am. (About 1.5 hours)
Enjoy the 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 will look for wading birds and other seasonal wildlife, and will enjoy superb views of the estuary. The walk starts outside the information centre at Snape Maltings. Booking not required.
Note: there are also RSPB walks at the Maltings for the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, starting at 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November. Booking not required.