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
Marsh harriers return from mid-February. See their spectacular courtship displays high over the reserve.
Look out for summer visitors as the spring migration peaks in April and May. Up to eight species of warbler can be heard singing as the reserve comes alive with birds.
Listen out for booming bitterns in the mornings and evenings. Avocets start nesting in April and also look out for the tumbling display of the lapwing over grassy islands. Ousefleet can hold passage waders especially in May.
Summer
Calm mornings from late June are great for seeing bearded tits around the lagoon edges along with reed and sedge warblers feeding young. Avocets and other wading birds feeding chicks can be easily see from the hides.
Look for the acrobatic marsh harriers passing food to each other in mid-air. Barn owls hunt for voles from late afternoon onwards.
Autumn
Watch migrating wading birds feeding and resting on the lagoons from late June to October. Spotted redshanks, greenshanks, black-tailed godwits, ruffs and dunlins can be seen on the lagoons.
Keep your eyes peeled for water rails running around the lagoon edges. Look out for spectacular roosts of sand martins and swallows. Listen for the 'pinging' calls of flocking bearded tits on calm October mornings.
Winter
Look carefully for hen harriers and merlins coming into the reedbed to roost as dusk descends.
Hundreds of teals and wigeons provide a wildfowl spectacle from the Ousefleet hide. Stop near the flood bank to see the flock of tree sparrows.
Barn and short-eared owls can often be seen towards dusk.