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
Breeding waders and wildfowl, such as lapwings, redshanks, shovelers and gadwalls. Spring migrants such as yellow wagtails and whitethroats. Barn and little owls.
Summer
Grassland butterflies such as skippers, wall and meadow browns and dragonflies.
Autumn
Wintering wildfowl such as teals and wigeons. Migrating wading birds such as whimbrels, black-tailed godwits and greenshanks.
Winter
Wintering wildfowl and wading birds, including pintails, curlews, dunlins and redshanks. Thrushes including fieldfares, redwings and mistle thrushes.