RSPB minsmere
A Morning That Delivered More Than Expected
Some trips are planned around a place. Others are planned around a purpose. This one was definitely the latter.
At the start of 2026, a good friend of mine set himself a simple goal—three species he’d never seen before: Bittern, Adder, and Swallowtail butterfly. It’s something I usually do myself each year, but for this trip, my own list didn’t really matter. This one was about helping him tick off a couple of his.
I headed into Norfolk on the Friday evening after work, settling into the drive with the Wild X Podcast playing—always a good companion for longer journeys. It’s one of those things that makes the miles pass quicker, listening to stories from people (I am fortunate enough to call friends) who are just as obsessed with nature as you are. Still, in the back of my mind, there was one lingering thought… the weather. So far a common theme for these stories.
The forecast for the next day wasn’t great. And when your main target is Adders—reptiles that rely on warmth to get moving—that’s not exactly what you want to see. I couldn’t help but feel like I might have oversold the idea of what we could achieve.
That thought stuck with me through dinner that evening. Sitting with my friend, his wife, and the kids—who are always incredibly welcoming and a joy to be around—it was a great chance to catch up properly. But every now and then, my mind drifted back to that forecast.
An Early Start That Paid Off
We decided on an early start. A very early start.
Alarms set for 5:15am, and just over an hour’s drive to RSPB Minsmere. The plan was simple: get there before the crowds, maximise our chances, and see what the day gave us.
And straight away, it felt like things were turning in our favour.
The moment we pulled into the car park, it was clear the forecast had got it wrong. The light was incredible, the wind had dropped, and there wasn’t a hint of rain. One of those mornings where everything goes just right before you’ve even picked the camera up and started shooting.
View from the Island Mere hide at RSPB Minsmere
We headed straight through the woodland towards the furthest hide (those of you that know Minsmere will understand how pleasant a walk this is) hoping—at the very least—to hear a Bittern.
Now, technically, my friend had already “ticked” Bittern off his list after spotting one briefly whilst out fishing a few weeks earlier. But he’d never heard that iconic booming call. So the goal shifted slightly: not just to see one, but to experience one.
That deep, resonant boom cutting through the still morning air—one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. Seeing his reaction made it even better. It’s those shared moments that really make these trips.
We didn’t see a huge amount from the Island Mere hide, but as you can see from the image above, the weather was absolutely on our side. Sometimes that alone is enough to make a visit worthwhile.
That said, a pair of cranes drifting overhead was a real highlight. They’re always a special sight, and thinking about it now, I honestly can’t remember a trip to RSPB Minsmere where I haven’t seen cranes flying over at some point. Maybe that says more about the time of year I usually visit. Spring and summer seem to be my regular Minsmere seasons… hmmm!
A super distant crane flying over head
This is a very heavy crop, enjoy this high quality image :)
The Walk Back (and the One That Got Away… Again)
On the way back through the woodland, towards the adder location, we slowed things down a bit.
There was plenty around—muntjac moving quietly through the trees, the usual woodland birds, and even a treecreeper working its way up a trunk just a few metres away. One of those species you don’t always notice unless you stop and look.
And then… the green woodpecker.
My nemesis bird.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried—and failed—to get a decent shot of one. Always just out of range, always disappearing at the wrong moment. This time it was perched nicely, lit by the early sun… but the angle and shadow just didn’t do it justice. The shadow had muted the wonderful green of the woodpecker.
Another near miss. The search continues.
a quick stop off in the raised hide
A quick stop at the raised hide soon revealed a few marsh harriers drifting across the reedbeds. They’re birds I never get tired of watching, but getting a close photograph of one is a completely different challenge and usually requires a fair bit of luck. These magnificent birds have so much space to roam at RSPB Minsmere that they can often feel frustratingly distant through the lens.
I’ve actually had far better luck photographing marsh harriers at RSPB Fowlmere, where they seem much more willing to pass close to the hides. Perhaps it’s because the reserve is smaller and there’s less environment for them to explore, but whatever the reason, Fowlmere has definitely treated me better over the years when it comes to these incredible birds of prey.
When Luck Turns Up at the Right Time
From there, we made our way towards the sand martin bank—an area where I’d seen Adders the year before.
By now, the sun had started to warm things up a bit. Not bad at all for a March morning.
As we arrived, we spotted another photographer already set up, camera on tripod. And almost immediately, he turned to us—clearly excited—and let us know there were two Adders visible.
Couldn’t believe it.
After all that concern about the weather, there they were—basking in the sunlight. Perfect timing.
My friend was absolutely buzzing. To see them properly, out in the open like that, made the moment even more special. We spent some time there, chatting with one of the wardens who was kind enough to share more insight into the snakes and even suggest a couple of other spots to try.
That kind of openness isn’t always common, so it was really appreciated.
We gave those extra locations a go, but no luck this time. Still, it wasn’t wasted effort—I managed one of my favourite shots of a sanderling darting along the shoreline, full of energy as always.
A Simple Ending to a Great Morning
We wrapped things up with a quick walk along the beach before heading back to the visitor centre for a well-earned coffee and breakfast.
And just like that, within a few hours:
Two major targets achieved
26 species seen
And a reminder of how quickly things can turn around in nature
From worrying about the weather the night before, to standing in perfect morning light watching Adders bask—it couldn’t have gone much better.
RSPB Minsmere remains one of my favourite reserves in the UK. It’s one of those places that always seems to deliver something, whether you go with a plan or just let the day unfold.
If you’ve never been, it’s well worth the trip.
A quote from my friend “(seeing) The adder is a memory I know I’ll have forever. Means a lot”.
Just goes to show you how magical wildlife can be and why we all need to protect it and its habitat. Experiences like this can stay with you a lifetime.
