Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Britain's rarest breeding woodpecker species is easiest to see and hear at Blean Woods in early spring, before the trees have their leaves. Listen for the males' drumming and their high-pitched trilling call from the canopy. |  |
Nightingales breed in the hedgerows and scrub. Listen for their incredibly rich, musical song in late April and May. If you are lucky, you may spot one sitting among the foliage, its body almost shaking with the effort! |  |
Linger until dusk to encounter this amazing bird between May and July. As the light begins to fade, listen for the mechanical 'churring' drifting across the heather. Keep your eyes peeled for nightjars darting around catching moths and for pairs performing their wing-clapping displays. |  |
From winter onwards, look for sparrowhawks displaying high above the trees on sunny days. Also listen for the alarm calls of smaller birds as sparrowhawks fly through the dense woodland, their favoured habitat. |  |
The display flight of the male woodcock is known as 'roding'. You can see and hear this easily at dusk on warm spring nights - watch for the shape of this chunky wading bird as it flies over woodland clearings and listen for their strange 'oinking' sound! |  |