Revised Minsmere Meet 21/22 July

[colinaj]

So you are all going to the Zoo?
I wrote an article once about how to get the best out of Minsmere.
I just don't bother anymore as the best way to enjoy Minsmere is lock the gates to Dudes and non RSPB members and any RSPB member in bright garish clothing.

[Oscar2006]

Originally Posted by colinaj

So you are all going to the Zoo?
I wrote an article once about how to get the best out of Minsmere.
I just don't bother anymore as the best way to enjoy Minsmere is lock the gates to Dudes and non RSPB members and any RSPB member in bright garish clothing.

????
I may have nailed a nice bottle of Red, but I don't understand what you are trying to say here......

Are you a "dude" or a non RSPB member? (so you need locking out? )
Is that a rather "bright garish jacket" you are wearing??????
What is the point of the comment?

I'll give Suffolk a miss in case you and the "lounge lizards" are there and I get even more confused.

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by colinaj

So you are all going to the Zoo?
I wrote an article once about how to get the best out of Minsmere.
I just don't bother anymore as the best way to enjoy Minsmere is lock the gates to Dudes and non RSPB members and any RSPB member in bright garish clothing.

Errr, sorry Colin I don't get it!!

I have visited Minsmere on many occasions and have always had a top day out, there is plenty of room for everyone in a place that size it is there for everyone to enjoy as is the wildlife, plus the RSPB must make a considerable amount of revenue each year from visiting non-members such as myself

[mrs fish]

Tursiops and I and maybe another birder friend called Phil who helps record Suffolk birds are coming up for the day on the Saturday, I am really looking forward to it

Two weeks to go

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by colinaj

So you are all going to the Zoo?
I wrote an article once about how to get the best out of Minsmere.
I just don't bother anymore as the best way to enjoy Minsmere is lock the gates to Dudes and non RSPB members and any RSPB member in bright garish clothing.

I dont see that comment as being helpful either - as boddie said right at the begining this trip isnt a birders only search for rare species - its a bunch of like minded people going to see some birds, take some photos , (doubtless drink some beer) , and generally chill.

I've come accross this elitist attitude from a few birders (tho they are only the minority)before and i've never understood it, making derogatory remarks about people who dont have the same level of expertise or equipment as you have isnt big or clever and nor does it encourage people to take the hobby up or to contribute to the upkeep of the sites.

amongst other things minsmere (and titchwell , and other flagship reserves) take a phenonemal ammount of money from non member visitors through the year without which the facilities both here and other places would not be there for the "propper birders" to enjoy. I could go on but it would probably better not to hijack this thread into such discussions.

[eeyore]

so the list so far (taking into account pm, email, phone , carrrier pigeon etc) is

me
boddie
Steve fourwings
Mrs fish + tursiops plus their freind phil - saturday only
julie and chris -sunday only
Almostnormal plus mate
Jerry H
Nightshade
hobjob
Za (maybe)
ann2 (maybe)

[mrs fish]

I have a space in my car if anyone wants a lift from Ipswich or en route to minsmere, Ipswich is only 50 mins on train from Liverpool St station if any Londoners are interested.

[Tursiops2]

I'm looking forward to this I haven't been to Minsmere for nearly 40 years. Does anybody know if there are still Purple Herons on the reserve? I heard there were some there in spring, and it's a bird I've always wanted to see.

Is there an entrance fee to the reserve? I have to budget for this
T2

[mrs fish]

I am a rspb member so have a guest pass but I will have to see if Phil wants to use it as I asked him to come with me first, he may be a member but I don't know
I am not certain he is coming yet as his wife has been poorly

[Boddie]

Apparently a dude is someone who has all of the gear but is not perhaps as knowleageable, as Colin feels they should have to be to have the right to own such equipment.

I am not that knowledgeable but I do have some nice kit. I do because I am a very wealthy young man. I enjoy being a dude. I hope to bump into Colin, see what kit he has, then go out and buy something better, and then rarely use it, or perhaps lend it out to other people with an occasional interest.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

I'm looking forward to this I haven't been to Minsmere for nearly 40 years. Does anybody know if there are still Purple Herons on the reserve? I heard there were some there in spring, and it's a bird I've always wanted to see.

Is there an entrance fee to the reserve? I have to budget for this
T2

these are the minsmere pages on the rspb website The RSPB: Minsmere

it would appear that non member entry is a fiver or 3 notes if you are an oap/student or under 16

that said a number of us going are members so we might be able to come up with a guest pass for any of our non member wabites who cant afford the entry

[Boddie]

I am a member and I have a free pass to whoever wants one, providing you dont mind having one off a dude.

[colinaj]

Cages well and truly rattled, BTW I have all the top Leica gear which I have earned by hard birding and fieldwork skills over thirty years.

Have a good day folks.
should be plenty of returning waders on the scrape with the chance of something unusual,

Check the sluice bushes as they often result n a Juv Red Back ed Shrike. The North wall bushes are great for Redstart especially the ground near the seat as you come onto north wall. If anyone has a wants list for minsmere I should be able to point you in the direction of where they will be.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by colinaj

If anyone has a wants list for minsmere I should be able to point you in the direction of where they will be.

excellent - i'd like to see an albatross

[colinaj]

You never know.
Seawatching at Minsmere is best during early morning or late evening, Gannets are offshore as will be Arctic Skuas and Terns,

Purple Herons normally appear on return migration in August

[Hobjob]

I shall be there - home patch !

[Boddie]

I have all the top Leica gear which I have earned by hard birding and fieldwork skills over thirty years.

My hero.

That makes you so much better than me, in so many ways

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by eeyore

so the list so far (taking into account pm, email, phone , carrrier pigeon etc) is

me
boddie
Steve fourwings
Mrs fish + tursiops plus their freind phil - saturday only
julie and chris -sunday only
Almostnormal plus mate
Jerry H
Nightshade
hobjob
Za (maybe)
ann2 (maybe)

my mates name is anne! she'd almost as cool as me

somewhere i think i may have an additional membership card as well....will check...it may take a while as i'll have to sift through the dense (and decomposing) layers of icky paperwork!

[jerryh]

Originally Posted by eeyore

so the list so far (taking into account pm, email, phone , carrrier pigeon etc) is

me
boddie
Steve fourwings
Mrs fish + tursiops plus their freind phil - saturday only
julie and chris -sunday only
Almostnormal plus mate
Jerry H
Nightshade
hobjob
Za (maybe)
ann2 (maybe)

Sorry, Pete - I won't be there. One of the few things that takes me away from weekend wildlife adventures is my work for a fireworks display company - and I've been asked to do a show on 21st.

Jerry

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by eeyore

these are the minsmere pages on the rspb website The RSPB: Minsmere

it would appear that non member entry is a fiver or 3 notes if you are an oap/student or under 16

that said a number of us going are members so we might be able to come up with a guest pass for any of our non member wabites who cant afford the entry

Cool. I won't have to fast for a week beforehand then. I could probably manage a fiver anyway

[Oscar2006]

Originally Posted by Boddie

My hero.

That makes you so much better than me, in so many ways

he's just a regular cashpoint mate! About a Barclays standard!

I prefer to do Berghaus jacket and boots, occasionally Fred Perry shorts maybe Adidas Samba trainers; Always Swarowski Bins, Kowa Scope and nothing other than Canon, Nikon or Fuji cameras; I've been birding over 20 years and Mothing for 6.
This year I am targeting Butterflies and Dragons......I guess with this sort of equipment that makes me a Dude?
p.s. I have a Small Blue tent and a big green one
Sorry I can't be with you guys at this event....I hope it goes well

[Boddie]

This makes you a dude.

I like Stan Smiths and Gazelles. What are your thoughts on such apparell?

[mrs fish]

I have a gold digger bag and Lidl bins

Am I a dudess?