Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Listen carefully to hear the high-pitched, wheezing sound of our smallest bird, the goldcrest. Less than four inches (10 cm) long, these little warblers flutter around the trees to pick tiny morsels of food from the leaves and needles. |  |
Winter is the time to see lesser redpolls here. Listen for their wheezing, chattering calls from birches and willows as they hang upside down to get at the seeds. |  |
Less colourful than other members of the tit family, marsh tits can often be seen foraging for food not far from the ground. Listen for their distinctive 'sneezing' 'pitchoo' call. |  |
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. |  |
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! |  |