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
Look out for great crested grebes performing their courtship dance; brown hares boxing in the meadows; newly hatched butterflies; sand martins returning to the nest bank; warblers, such as whitethroats, returning in full song; the swooping display flight and 'pee-wit' call of the lapwing and an array of cheerful early flowers like cowslips.
Summer
Dragonflies such as migrant hawkers hunting over the wildlife pools; marsh orchids flowering in the meadow; lapwing chicks exploring pool edges; dozens of common blue butterflies flitting around; little or great crested grebes carrying their stripy chicks on their backs and mute swans with fluffy cygnets. Try to spot a water vole feeding or hear it go plop as it swims away.
Autumn
Basking common darter dragonflies catching last of the warm sun; red admiral butterflies feeding on ivy flowers; huge flocks of golden plovers whistling to each other and taking to the skies as peregrine soar above; colourful autumn fruits ripening in the hedgerows.
Winter
Hundreds of colourful ducks in full breeding plumage, like teals and wigeons, gathering to feed; yellowhammers and tree sparrows in the hedges brighten a grey day; barn owls hunting during the day as food gets harder to find; weasels can often be seen more easily as foliage dies down and watch the berry-covered trees for redwings or even waxwings.