RSPB Minsmere
Minsmere RSPB reserve is a nature reserve owned and run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Suffolk, England. It lies on the Suffolk coast to the south of Southwold and north of Aldeburgh within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Suffolk Heritage Coast area. It is protected with SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsar Site conservation status.
The 9.69 square kilometres (3.74 sq mi) site was established in 1947 and covers areas of reed bed, lowland heath, lowland wet grassland, and shingle vegetation. The nature reserve is recognised for its high diversity of bird species and other wildlife and is used as a demonstration of successful reed bed management. It is known as one of the UK's premier bird watching sites.[1]
Ecology
The Minsmere reserve includes 1.79 square kilometres (0.69 sq mi) of reed bed habitat, representing 3.6% of the UK's reed beds,[2] as well as areas of open water, lowland heath, grassland, dunes and shingle vegetation. The reserve is an important breeding, roosting and feeding site for many bird species with over 100 resident species and a further 200 species of migratory visitors being recorded at the site.[3]
Up to 30% of the UK's breeding population of Great Bittern are to be found at Minsmere.[4] It is also of particular conservation importance for its populations of Western Marsh Harrier, Pied Avocet, Savi's Warbler, Bearded Reedling and Reed Bunting.[2] Other species found at Minsmere include adders, otter, water vole and one of the largest herds of Red deer in England.
Over 1000 species of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) have been recorded at Minsmere. The 32 recorded butterfly species include the Silver-studded Blue, the Camberwell Beauty and the Queen of Spain Fritillary. In September 2004 the moth species Catocala conjuncta, which was previously unrecorded in Britain was found on the reserve. To acknowledge its place of capture it was given the common name Minsmere Crimson Underwing.[5]
Conservation
Protected status
The Minsmere nature reserve, its habitats and wildlife, are protected under UK law as a part of the 'Minsmere – Walberswick' Special Protection Area (SPA)[6] and Ramsar Site.[7] It is also protected as part of the 'Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes' Special Area of Conservation (SAC)[8] and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[9] The site is also included in the area covered by the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)[10] and the Suffolk Heritage Coast area.[11]
Management
Access and facilities
The reserve is accessible by car from the A12 via the village of Westleton. It is also connected to Route 1 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network by the Suffolk Coast Cycle route. The nearest bus access is in the town of Leiston 4 miles (6.4 km) away and rail access is in Darsham 5 miles (8.0 km) away. It is also accessible on foot from Dunwich Heath, Sizewell Beach and Eastbridge.[12] Entry to the reserve is free for RSPB members and a fee is charged for non-members.
Minsmere has extensive footpaths throughout the site and seven bird hides are provided for birdwatching. Some but not all of these are accessible to wheelchair and buggy users. A visitors centre provides a cafe, picnic area, shop, toilets and baby-changing facilities. There is also an information centre and guided walks, binocular hire and childrens 'explorer packs' are available.[1]
History
References
- ^ a b "Days Out: Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ a b "Minsmere Management". Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
- ^ "M is for Minsmere". BBC. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
- ^ "Nature features - Booming Bitterns". BBC. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
- ^ "Moths at Minsmere – 1000 species and counting". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
- ^ "SPA description Minsmere – Walberswick". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Designated and Proposed Ramsar sites in England". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "SSSI units for Minsmere-walberswick Heaths And Marshes". English Nature. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Suffolk Coasts and Heaths". www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Suffolk Heritage Coast". Natural England. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Minsmere - How to get here". Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- Axell, Herbert; & Hosking, Eric. (1978). Minsmere. Portrait of a Bird Reserve. Hutchinson: London. ISBN 0-09-128840-1
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