Minsmere
Wildlife Sounds of Minsmere
Minsmere R.S.P.B Bird Reserve
Minsmere lies on the Suffolk coast and covers an area of 1,560 acres. Within the reserve there is a unique mixture of habitats ranging from deciduous woodland, heath, open farmland, reed beds and marsh. Minsmere is probably best known for its Avocets which returned to breed in 1947. Situated on the coast, Minsmere attracts many migrants during the spring and autumn passage. Throughout the year at Minsmere there is always something to see. In winter the grazing marshes attract White-fronted Geese and many duck can be seen feeding on the flooded fields as well as the Scrape.
In the early morning or evening the sounds of duck and geese can be heard across the marshes. Spring sees the return of the Avocets to the Scrape and as they prepare to breed they form small noisy groups. At this time the Black-headed gulls have already taken up residence on the Scrape and their calls drown out those of other birds. By early May the summer migrants have started to return to the reed beds with Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers making their presence heard. Around the edge of the reed beds the resident Cetti's warblers are highly vocal and a few Grasshopper Warblers can often be heard reeling from the thickets. Below the visitor centre the Sand Martins can be seen flying up to the nesting holes in the sandy cliff. The scrub and bushes around the pond are full of Nightingale song along with Whitethroats and Blackcaps. From March onward the Little Grebes can be heard singing on the open water and the returning Marsh Harriers make a spectacular sight hunting over the reed beds.
Minsmere is nationally important for its breeding population of Bittern and on warm evenings the sound of booming males carries far across the reed beds. At this time the heathland is alive with sounds of Yellowhammer, Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and the Dartford Warbler. In the evenings the heaths and woodland edges are home to the mystical Nightjar which can be heard churring from dusk to dawn. As summer fades into autumn the woods and surrounding heathland come alive with the sounds of Red Deer. The onset of winter brings large flocks of Siskin into the conifer woodland and these along with Brambling can be seen around the visitor center.
Track List
Minsmere Woodland
1.Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) 2' 10"
2.Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1' 22"
3.Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor) 0' 57"
4.Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) 1' 11"
5.Stock Dove (Columba oenas) 0' 52"
6.Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) 1' 15"
7.Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) 1' 57"
8.Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) 1' 01"
9.Siskin (Carduelis spinus) 1' 07"
10.Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) 0' 21"
11.Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) 1' 17"
Minsmere Heath
12.Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) 3' 12"
13.Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) 1' 23"
14.Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) 0' 53"
15.Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) 1' 54"
16.Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) 1' 00"
17.Woodlark (Lullula arborea) 1' 53"
18.Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) 1' 42"
19.Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) 1' 48"
20.Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) 1' 43"
Minsmere Scrape and Levels
21.Minsmere Levels 1' 53"
22.White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 2' 45"
23.Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 0' 41"
24.Teal (Anas crecca) 1' 35"
25.Wigeon (Anas penelope) 1' 56"
26.Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) 2' 2
27.Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 1' 24"
28.Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) 1' 28"
29.Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 1' 04"
30.Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) 0' 21"
31.Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) 0'20"
32.Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 0' 50"
33.Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) 1' 11"
34.Redshank (Tringa totanus) 1' 26"
35.Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) 0' 34"
Minsmere North Marsh and Island mere
36.Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) 0' 46"
37.Greylag Goose (Anser anser) 0' 26"
38.Bearded Reedling (Panarus biamicus) 0' 28"
39.Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 1' 10"
40.Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 1' 44"
41.Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) 0' 52"
42.Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) 0' 56"
43.Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) 2' 18"
44.Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) 1' 02"
45.Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) 1' 34"
46.Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) 0' 58"
47.Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) 1' 41"
48.Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) 0' 38"
49.Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) 1' 32"
50.Gadwall (Anas strepera) 0' 52"
51.Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 1' 06"
52.Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) 2' 01"