Print pageSeasonal highlights
Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.
Spring
Little egrets, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, grey plovers, dunlins, redshanks and turnstones at low tide, feeding on the reserve and River Adur.
Summer
A generally quiet period for birds, but in August, numbers of oystercatchers, ringed plovers, dunlins and redshanks increase. Likewise, Sandwich and common terns are often seen fishing.
Autumn
Little egrets, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, grey plovers, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and turnstones at low tide, feeding on the reserve and River Adur. At high tide, grey herons, little egrets, snipe, redshanks and linnets on the reserve's saltmarsh. A good selection of gulls roost and bathe on the river at low tide, while Sandwich and common terns often fish the estuary.
Winter
Little egrets, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, grey plovers, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and turnstones at low tide, feeding on the reserve and river Adur. At high tide, grey herons, little egrets, snipe, redshanks and linnets on the reserve's saltmarsh. A good selection of gulls roost and bathe on the River Adur at low tide. Kingfishers are also often seen.