Is this the best NATURE RESERVE in the UK?

Today I travel to one of the RSPB's most well known and wildlife rich reserves, RSPB Minsmere. Come along as I take a look at some of the birds and other animals that have set up home there, and share a few facts about them as I go.
The day finishes and starts at Westleton heath where I hope for red deer and get a rare bird surprise!
#wildlife #nature #rspbminsmere

[@madenaraputra6887]

The Kilkenny Nature Reserve is beautiful viewpoint area like in Co. Kilkenny in Ireland 🇮🇪

[@angelalayton1655]

Another lovely video Liam thank you… you should be on the tele as you seem such a lovely chap full of knowledge and have such a way of presenting that’s so natural and enthusiastic.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Angela. Thats very kind of you to say. I do like making the videos here as I have full creative freedom for what I do but if the right offer came along, i'll never say never. (As long as I can continue to share my love and knowledge of wildlife with people!)

[@jillatherton4660]

@@AShotOfWildlife Keep your freedom as long as you can, Ol' Bean.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

@@jillatherton4660 yes thats the plan. I dont think doing these videos for a company that just wants to make money would have anywhere near the same appeal for me to be honest.

[@jillatherton4660]

@@AShotOfWildlife 👍

[@thementaldetectorist756]

I've been going minsmere all my life, it's just so full of rare and wonderful wildlife

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I love the place. I would say its probably my favourite reserve in the country - Although there are plenty I havent been to yet.

[@hazzardoutdoors]

Never fails to amaze me how much information you include in your videos, fantastic and educational.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers mate!

[@lesleygraham1588]

Excellent video and I thoroughly enjoyed it thank you

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@tonycritcher3419]

Another great video, as always! Thank you.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you Tony!

[@keithedmunds7536]

great video great detail you have an exellent way of explaining about the wildlife looking forward to the next one thanks for sharing

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Keith. I'm not sure where the next trip will be but I have a few other videos lined up for the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy them too.

[@lauriecoates9699]

Another excellent video ..

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Laurie!

[@gingerninjawhinger9986]

Lesson learned, Liam: always carry a spare battery in your pocket! Thankfully for you - and us - the Stone Curlews weren't yet active, so you were able to get them on film. I just love your enthusiasm for all things Nature and I really enjoy watching and - even in my mid-50s - learning from your trips out.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yes, that is a lesson that I learned that day. I now have more batteries than I could ever use so shouldnt have that problem again. Thanks, I have recently been back to minsmere so there will be another video coming out in the next week or so.

[@bernardshieldstysonfive1009]

Hi Liam brilliant video again beautiful footage of all the wild life love watching your videos and the way you put the wild life that you see keep up your brilliant work and videos Bernard

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Bernard! Thats lovely to hear and I appreciate your support.

[@EamonJeffers]

lovely

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@jimbojet8728]

Great as always. Thank you

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers!

[@ronseymour4976]

Great video Liam! It brought back fond memories of my visits to Minsmere. I loved the way in which you captured the essential essence of this beautiful place.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Ron. That's what I was trying to achieve so I'm glad it's worked. Cheers

[@WatchRWildlife]

Fantastic video, well edited. Thanks for another great day out 👍🦌🍄🍂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Fred!

[@barrywaller6942]

I just love seeing all your work you are doing with your camera,I love all the bird life you have filmed ,I’m Barry here in Australia I’m looking forward to more of your work Liam

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Barry! I hope you have still been enjoying my videos :)

[@tonybambridge3667]

great stuff; thanks

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Tony! The video I'm currently editing is another trip to minsmere, but it's a different place in the springtime!

[@steveblyth2055]

Another enjoyable video Liam 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Steve!

[@davemellor4697]

You have an immense knowledge of fish and wildlife Liam,i always learn something every time i watch your video,s......

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I also learn something new every time I make one of these videos so its a win win!

[@paulwarner5674]

I'm in awe at your knowledge and photography. I was waiting for you to say" Do you know who I am" ? When you couldn't find your card.🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love your channel as I don't even know the difference between a sparrow and a finch. Thanks for the video.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Paul. To be honest, they were really lovely about it. I have moved since I lost my card so I dont think the new one will come to my up to date address either. I will have to continue having these conversations when I visit RSPB reserves for the time being, I think!

[@brperolls]

Yet another great video, we really do enjoy them. Thank you so much.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Bryan. If you keep watching them, I will keep making them :)

[@shaungriffin1968]

Love Minsmere, thank you for the tip on where to see Stone Curlew 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. They were there on my visit this autumn too so definitely worth keeping an eye out for them!

[@NaturallyCuriousUK]

👍 Nice one Liam! The Stone Curlews were a coup! I imagine they'd have migrated south pretty soon after you filmed them! 🙂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yes indeed. That was in my script but I ran out of time lol. Cheers Graham!

[@SkylarkFields]

What a super video, Liam. This was so interesting and good fun to watch. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was engrossed from start to finish.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

That's brilliant to hear, thank you!

[@quartzone5735]

Hi Liam - we made our first Minsmere visit in October - after hearing it was Chris Packham's favourite reserve - a really memorable trip... Keep on doing what you do ! 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Brilliant, did you enjoy the reserve or see much interesting wildlife? Thank you.

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

How interesting.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@jeremystill5442]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@madinnTaiwan]

Thanks, haha,we love birds watching haha also our three cats, from seaside Poole old school haha 🤣😆

[@JohnzzzView]

Excellent Liam, you are really bringing your nature seeing diary videos to another level. So fascinating and informative story telling... Great nature at our doorsteps.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@macw2234]

Greetongs from the Netherlands. Excellent production squire. Thank you

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@TwickersMandM]

‘Owl’s it going’ got the thumbs-up immediately! Another great video, and Minsmere & Westleton Heath are added to my places to go.

[@jess53nz]

Goldifnches are a charm?! How wonderful

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Well noticed, I wasnt sure if I should have put a on screen explanation for that but i'm glad you noticed and hope others did too. Thanks!

[@jess53nz]

@@AShotOfWildlife made my day!

[@GregsWildlife]

It was a great day out. I'm really impressed by your camera, it's got a great zoom and the footage is really stable. My footage is all over the place!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

It was a good day out, where to next? My footage was also very shakey but I used the stabilisation filter in my editor... I am surprised how well it turned out. I think it also helps that I have a very heavy tripod that doesn't move as much in the wind!

[@stonecold958]

@@AShotOfWildlife Funnily enough I was going to ask what camera you are using. Really enjoyed the video. I'm a fellow Norfolk resident so enjoy seeing places I know as well as new ones. (like todays video)

[@AShotOfWildlife]

@@stonecold958 The camera is a Nikon P950, it wasnt toooo expensive compared to others with a similar zoom and does the job for me. It is a great all rounder!

[@jonathann1434]

Really lovely video - learned a few things too!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jimasmr2]

This is such a nice place i love it there

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I agree, its one of my favourite nature reserves for sure, perhaps even top of the list.

[@SlowToe]

Great job Liam. I enjoyed that.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you Brian!

[@petelumley1578]

Thanks Liam, I really enjoyed this vid, such a diverse array birds, and those deer were marvellous. Looking forward to the next one 👍🏼

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Pete. It would be hard to go to this part of the country and not see lots of wildlife but im glad to be able to share it with you.

[@williamhector6863]

Fantastic

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@Jane-yq6yq]

Went to Minsmere 4th and 5th Oct 2024. Loved it. Saw 37 different types of bird, including Bittern and Goldcrest. Didnt see a Kingfisher tho, lucky you 🙂

[@raymondpenalver7095]

One reserve I've been meaning to visit for sometime now, thanks for the great video and lucky you seeing those Stone Curlews !

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. Its definitely worth a visit if you can!

[@jacksimmonds8329]

Cracking vid mate!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Jack!

[@HighPlainsHiker]

Great video Liam. The fish captured by the Egret was a perch btw. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@dexocube]

That was great bro thanks, I felt like I was out there with you, it chilled me right out after a stressful few days, cheers.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. Thats the idea with these videos so I'm glad it was successful!

[@meggimoo66]

I’m a new viewer of the channel and I’m loving the videos! I have a go at birdwatching at reserves myself (but not often successfully!), but by watching your videos it’s helping my identification and gives me ideas of what to look for! Keep it up!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I am glad my videos are helping you and I hope thats still the case :)

[@meggimoo66]

@@AShotOfWildlife yes definitely!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

@meggimoo66 brilliant. I have loads more lined up so keep an eye out for them.

[@janetford5450]

Thank you so much. I really enjoyed your day at Minsmere. Jan in Findhorn

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Jan, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a bit of a pain to edit so I'm happy it was worth it.

[@charlottestevens6850]

You should go to Rutland Water Nature Reserve. That’s where I usually go. BTW, another great video! 😊

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Charlotte. Rutland is definitely on my list for next year!

[@Calvin.The.Unfindable]

hello there Liam, another amazing adventure but to video. i hope one day to be able to explore at least some of Minsmere, always looks so interesting. it is hard to know what to take sometimes, or have the space for extra batteries, but at least you had them in the car. i am glad you managed to get some footage before the you lost the light.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Calvin. Its a great reserve so I highly recommend it if you can. I usually carry far more batteries than I need, I have learnt the hard way but didnt foresee it running out in the short time I was at the heath. Im glad I got back in time though :)

[@Calvin.The.Unfindable]

@@AShotOfWildlife thanks Liam, it is one of the places that is on my bucket list. :)

[@donnaml8776]

🎥 I have to say that this is my favorite video so far of your wildlife trail videos. There was a nice variety. You camera work is excellent and steady. Lol, even with a dead battery. Believe me, I’d be one of the first to say if it wasn’t. Especially, if it wasn’t steady. I get nauseous easily from people filming with a swing, swing, swing motion. They don’t realize that the camera is not like our eyes or brain which can adapt easily to looking around. No one wants to look around like that through a camera. Anyway, you do a great job at filming I’ve never gotten that seasick feeling. Thank you for including the red deer 🦌 at the end, good timing on that one. I like when you have a variety it keeps it really interesting. Great job! 😁

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I have to say, when I was editing this one together I was actually worried it would be too shakey but thankfully the stabilisation in my editing software has worked a miracle here! Thanks for your kind words.

[@donnaml8776]

@@AShotOfWildlife oh wow, you’d never know it. Glad your editing equipment did a fine job. Looking forward to your next video.

[@paulohara1502]

👍👍👍👌

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks!

[@ruthjohnson7911]

You so good at this thank you from a Canadian

[@marcheathrow8930]

That deer was very helpful letting that other deer jump on its back,so that he could see over the fence.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Haha, just happened to be when the family was looking through my camera... I didn't say much.

[@dawnrowlands2408]

Another beautiful video. When you approached the sea I thought you were going to be brave and have a paddle! I've always fancied visiting Minsmere. I'm not too far from Ellesmere which is a really gorgeous place. It can be very busy at times but if you visit one of the other local meres nearby it can be very peaceful. Best regards.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Dawn. No, not a chance of me getting in the sea that day, it was very windy on the beach and i'm just not that tough! I have visited Ellesmere a couple of years ago, we stayed at a campsite near Cole mere and followed the canal into Ellesmere for meals and drinks. We really enjoyed a bar in an undercroft there and said it was a shame it was so far away! Perhaps I will visit again one day.

[@strbst2075]

I pretty much grew up down the road I’ve seen hen harriers wild horses snakes lizards red deer owls of every description and boy did I take it for granted

[@AShotOfWildlife]

What a lovely place to be whilst you were young. I was always immersed in nature as a kid, yet I still feel I took it for granted as well. Maybe thats just something that every adult who likes wildlife feels.

[@ukwildlife]

Nice video as ever. Hopefully i can get to Mjnsmere myself soon!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

The next few months are probably the best time to visit.good luck if you do manage to get across there!

[@AmyCHollingworth]

I’m glad you had such a lovely day and got super lucky too!! Can’t believe you saw those stone curlews 0.o got my TV set up so now I can watch you on a big screen! :)

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Woohoo, im back to the big screen! I wont lie, they were a little underwhelming, didnt do anything whilst I was there lol.

[@blutey]

Nice footage and presentation. I've heard it said before as well that the stonechat call is like 2 pebbles hitting each other. However, all the soundfiles on Google sound nothing like that!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Hmm, I would agree that a stonechat does sound like 2 stones being hit together, perhaps the ones you've been listening to are their songs rather than their contact calls?

[@blutey]

Just listened to a couple more YT videos of it 'calling'. If you've had a few beers and close your eyes, it could _just_ about be 2 pebbles striking. I'll give you that.😄👍@@AShotOfWildlife

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I took a look at the videos online and realise the issue. None of the sound clips I could find on youtube actually sound like the stonechats call in real life. In the videos they sound like a camera shutter almost, but in real life it is very much like 2 stones striking together.

[@blutey]

Strange. Maybe the camera doesn't pick up the audio very well. I did film some stonechats a while back but they weren't calling or singing. Hopefully I'll get the chance one day to hear them in real life.@@AShotOfWildlife

[@jillatherton4660]

😄👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Jill!

[@simondo1027]

Thanks Liam!! I didn't know that chaffinches were suffering from a fungus. Is it just me or is there a shortage of birds generally this year? I live in South Manchester. I walk through Chorlton nature reserve almost every day. There is such a lack of birds and bird sounds compared to other years. I used to see nuthatches, tree creepers, greenfinches, linnets. I haven't seen one of the eponymous birds at all this year! I do see a regular pair of kingfishers along the river mersey. I read that they don't usually remain in pairs after the mating season but this pair seem quite happy together. I also haven't seen or heard an owl this year. Do you know if there is a general reduction of birds throughout the country. Regards, Simon.

[@jonnyallweather7681]

Yes I have noticed less birds about this year.. I’ve had black birds nesting every year in my garden but this year didn’t see any!! I’ve noticed more rare birds this year thou..

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks! From what I can tell, aside from coastal species and waterfowl, there isnt much of a decrease if any this year. But the hot summer has had an affect on migrants for sure, the swifts etc seemed to leave very early this year, im not even sure if they stayed long enough to breed in this part of the country. Hopefully next year is better for them. There has been an upturn in rare birds as well, I think thats probably weather based too.

[@DragonHeartBodyModification]

Minsmere is a lovely reserve. Did you get a chance to see the Glossy Ibis' that visited Minsmere earlier this year?

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Hi Richard. No, I didn't manage to see the one at minsmere but I did see one here in norwich. I have footage of it but I'm not sure how I'll put that into a video... although whilst writing this response I have had an idea. A list video called "birds that will soon be common in the UK" or something along those lines. If you see that video in the future, know that you helped prompt the idea lol. Cheers

[@DragonHeartBodyModification]

@@AShotOfWildlife Hah that's awesome 😊

[@RamblingReliks]

Do you need to pay for entry at RSPB sites now? Never had a problem before.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Most of the sites you can just walk in but to get into minsmere you pass through a reception building. I think I pay £5 a month or something.

[@RamblingReliks]

@@AShotOfWildlife you sure that's not just worded weirdly to make you think you need to pay? There's a similar set up at Abberton Reservoir, they can be right crafty.

[@jonnyallweather7681]

God I need to grow up I’m 35 and still have a little laugh every time Liam mentions tits 😂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Haha. In the analytics for my videos you can see what percentage of people who see a video (when it comes up on their home feed or as a result of a search) actually click on it. The average for this channel is around 8% but for one video, "things you need to know about great tits" it is less than 1%.... I guess a bird fact file isn't what people were searching for lol.

[@James48535]

Hi Liam I know it’s got nothing to do with your latest video but I was wondering do you still have your Keen wildlife camera and if so what do you think of it now you’ve had it a while?

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yes I do indeed. I am impressed overall with the camera and solar panel. It is currently near a badger sett and I will be making posts about what it has filmed soon. I am also going to get a 5% discount code and affiliate link I'm the next couple of days if you are interested. A couple of things to consider: The sim card needs to be pre-paid, I use one with Vodafone which costs £10 per month. The solar panel works well, but only when it's in direct sunlight. The cable is quite long so if you get one, be considerate when placing the panel (and point it slightly south). I am definitely going to get another couple of them in the future. If you have any direct questions let me know.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Hi again James. I have now got the discount code and an affiliate link: tidd.ly/3V5eTRzs - Use the code ytbpd2022 for 5% off. Let me know if you do end up getting one and i'll help where I can. Getting the correct sim card is an important part of it.

[@James48535]

@@AShotOfWildlife I can’t buy any at the moment Liam I’m not working n don’t have the money to but I will in the future by the way I love your channel even though I live in very rural North Yorkshire in the countryside I still like watching nature things

[@James48535]

@@AShotOfWildlife I was thinking the wildlife cams would make good security cams to for keeping an eye on your property when your not at home

[@James48535]

Liam keep up the good work with the wildlife videos as I said before there really good can’t wait to see what off your wildlife cam as well as any other videos you post

[@derekskinner]

Whatever fish were in there --will be gone now with all those b****d Cormorants on there.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I was there recently and could see quite a few fish, native soecies usually have evolved ways to avoid predation to an extent.

[@des632]

So great , in 94 I came from Somerset to see bearded tit, marsh harrier, bittern, at mimsmere Luckily now because of the Somerset levels we have all these birds and the great white egret nested for the first time in UK 2014?? in Somerset ! Also the cranes near langport are great to see , Are Dartford warblers really in Norfolk? , I thought a south coast species ! 😔

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. Dartford warblers are at one or 2 sites in Norfolk but they are far from common here. In fact, I have only ever seen them at minsmere so not even in Norfolk (just over the border to suffolk).