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
Arriving summer migrants, while numbers of wintering and breeding wildfowl remain. Toads spawning in the pools. Spring flowers including bluebells and lesser celandines. You may see and hear woodpeckers and nuthatches.
Summer
Ducklings feeding around the pools. Dragonflies and butterflies in the open areas. Passage waders start to arrive.
Autumn
Migrant waders and wintering wildfowl arriving. Fungi in the woods.
Winter
Resident wildfowl are joined by flocks of wintering ducks including wigeons and whooper swans.