Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Listen for crossbills' 'jip, jip' calls or for the sound of pinecones being ripped apart! You may even see the shredded cones falling to the floor beneath the trees where the birds are feeding. |  |
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. |  |
You could see the display flight of the male tree pipit - he sings as he flies up into the air and then 'parachutes' down with legs dangling back to a treetop perch. |  |
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! |  |
Though it is of fairly unassuming appearance, the woodlark has a gorgeous, fluty song which it gives from vantage points such as trees or fenceposts. |  |