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
Terns and other seabirds, passage waders, small spring migrants eg. wheatears, wagtails and warblers. Skylarks perform their famous song-flights.
Summer
Roosting terns and passage waders. The sandhill rustic moth and flowering sea aster can be seen. Natterjack toads breed close by and have occasionally been seen in the dunes. Portland spurge can be found in the dune areas.
Autumn
Waders and wildfowl including regular pale-bellied brent geese, skuas offshore, passage migrants, and - in the right wind conditions from the north-west - Leach's petrels.
Winter
Roosting waders, hunting peregrines and merlins. Redwings and fieldfares feed in bushes along seawall.