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
In spring the reserve holds displaying waders - lapwings and redshanks - often close to the track to the car park. Avocets are often in front of Wellmarsh (the first) hide. Ducks including shovelers, pochards, tufted ducks and shelducks are getting ready to breed.
Summer
Avocets, oystercatchers, redshank and lapwing chicks are often visible from most hides. Yellow wagtails breed in the marshes in good numbers. Dragonflies and damselflies patrol the freshwater ditches. Crickets and grasshoppers can be heard in the grasslands.
Autumn
Waders en route from the Arctic to Africa, such as green sandpipers and spotted redshanks, can be seen on the pools. Marsh harrier numbers are boosted by the new youngsters. Little egret numbers are at a peak.
Winter
Duck counts can include 20,000 wigeons and 5,000 teals. European white-fronted geese may be seen, especially at Spitend hide. Hen harriers and short-eared owls hunt over the marshes. The wader roost can include several hundred grey plovers and black-tailed godwits and several thousand dunlins.