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
Spring sees the return of the migrants that breed in Broadwater Warren. These include nightjars, chiffchaffs, whitethroats, willow warblers and blackcaps. Listen out for the 'drumming' of great spotted woodpeckers and the 'yaffling' of green woodpeckers. There are carpets of bluebells beside the stream and the wood ants will be busy building up their huge nests of pine needles. Brimstone butterflies are on the wing.
Summer
Warblers and yellowhammers will be in full song. Dragonflies and grey wagtails can be seen at the Decoy Pond and adders will be dozing in patches of sunlight. If you are lucky you might spot a white admiral butterfly nectaring on honeysuckle flowers. At dusk listen for the 'churring' of the nightjars, look out for 'roding' woodcocks as the males patrol their territories and keep an eye open for glow-worms along the trail edges.
Autumn
Migrating birds are leaving for warmer climes but the wood ants are still active and you might see the holes in their nests where green woodpeckers have been feeding. There are fungi of all shapes and sizes throughout the reserve - a particularly interesting species is the green elfcup that colours dead wood an amazing emerald green. Explore the boardwalk across the wet valley and listen for the sneezing 'pitch-oo' call of the marsh tit.
Winter
Look out for crossbills feeding on the pine cones and alder seeds and flying over in a flock making distinctive 'chip, chip' calls. This is the best time to see lesser redpolls, siskins and mixed flocks of tits feeding in the silver birches and alders.