All of the events below are at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, Westleton, Suffolk, IP17 3BY unless otherwise stated

Guided walks

Costs: Adults £7, RSPB members £5, children half price, unless otherwise stated
Places limited. Unless stated, booking is essential. Call 01728 648281 or email [email protected]

Discovering Minsmere
March: Wed 3rd, Wed 10th, Thurs 18th & Fri 26th
Start 9.30 am (2.5 – 3 hours)
Join us to learn about the reserve’s birds and other wildlife, as well as the habitats we have here and how we manage them. Our guides will show you Minsmere’s varied wildlife, give tips on good field-craft, and help you to get the most from your visit to one of Britain’s premier birdwatching spots. Suitable for all abilities.

Weekend wildlife walk
March: Sat 13th, Sun 21th & Sun 28th
Start at 9.30 am (2.5 – 3 hours)
Join us for a seasonal weekend walk to look for spring migrants, breeding birds and a host of other wildlife highlights that may be present at the time.

Introduction to the Wildlife of the Alde Estuary, Snape Maltings
March: Sat 6th
Start at 11 am (1.5 hours)
Join an experienced RSPB guide to learn about the wildlife, landscape and history of the beautiful Alde Estuary. These walks coincide with the regular farmers markets, giving you the chance to shop for local produce before enjoying this relaxing walk. No booking required. Adults £3, children £1. Meet at the RSPB Wildlife Information Centre on the quay at Snape Maltings.

Learn your bird song
Part 1: Sun 7th March – start at 6:30
Part 2: Sun 18th Apr – start at 6.00
Part 3: Sun 9th May – start at 5.30
Always wanted to learn your bird song? Why not come and join one of our guides for these three events aimed at beginners to help learn a range of different bird songs over the course of the season. Each date consists of a walk lasting about 2.5 hours, followed by a light breakfast at the Visitor Centre. This special three date package costs £60 per person, RSPB members £45, including your walk and breakfast. Places are limited, so book early.

Special events
Places limited. Booking essential. See details for costs.

Binocular and telescope demonstration
March: Sat 27th and Sun 28th
10am to 4pm
Expert advice on choosing the right binoculars, telescopes and accessories. Run in conjunction with Viking Optical of Halesworth, there will be a wide range of optics available to test and buy, so whether you’re choosing you first binoculars or looking to upgrade, we’ll have the right optics for you.

Art and photo exhibitions
All year
Visit the Minsmere tearoom gallery throughout the year to see a range of superb exhibitions of art or photography depicting some of Suffolk’s most spectacular wildlife. Contact us for details of each exhibition, or go to www.rspb.org.uk/events.

Events March 2010, by date

Events at North Warren
Events at Havergate Island
Events at Snape Maltings (all other events at RSPB Minsmere)
Family events
Free events

March:
Wed 3rd – Discovering Minsmere: 9.30 am
Sat 6th – Introduction to the Wildlife of the Alde Estuary, Snape Maltings: 11 am
Sun 7th – Learn your birdsong, part 1: 6.30 am
Wed 10th – Discovering Minsmere: 9.30 am
Sat 13th – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Thu 18th – Discovering Minsmere: 9.30 am
Sun 21st – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Fri 26th – Discovering Minsmere: 9.30 am
Sat 27th – Binocular and telescope demo: 10 am – 4 pm
Sun 28th – Weekend wildlife walk: 9.30 am
Sun 28th – Binocular and telescope demo: 10 am – 4 pm

Visiting arrangements at Minsmere

Entry charges to the reserve:
Adult £5,
Child £1.50 (under 5s free),
Families £10 (two adults and up to four children),
Concession £3.
Free for RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members.
Your entry fee will be refunded if you become a member on the day of your visit.

Opening times
Nature trails and hides open daily.
From 1 February to 31 October:
Visitor centre open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Shop open 10 am to 5 pm.
Tearoom open 10 am to 4.30 pm, with last orders 15 minutes before closing.
Hot food served 11.30 am to 2.30 pm.
From 1 November to 31 January:
Visitor centre open 9 am to 4 pm
Shop and tearoom open 10 am to 4 pm.
Reserve and all facilities closed 25 and 26 December.

Facilities at Minsmere
Access to the visitor centre is free. At the reception desk, you can hire binoculars or borrow a free children’s Explorer Backpack and Discovery Trail booklet. You can also find out more about the reserve and the RSPB. The shop stocks a wide range of books, outdoor clothing, gifts, binoculars and telescopes. You can enjoy a light meal or snack in the tearoom. There are toilets, with baby changing facilities, and a large car park beside the visitor centre.

A permit is needed for the two nature trails, which are each about 1.5 miles long. Two of the eight birdwatching hides are accessed via steps, and two via the beach. The rest of the hides and trails are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. A free trail guide is available from reception. Sorry, no dogs on the nature trails, but they are welcome around the visitor centre and car park, where there is a limited amount of shaded parking.