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 you can hear the bubbling call of curlews displaying on territory over their moorland nest sites, skylarks and meadow pipits displaying. Red-throated divers call overhead and can be seen fishing in Scapa Flow. Look for peregrines, fulmars and tysties (black guillemots) along the low cliffs.
Summer
In summer you might see hen harriers hunting over the heather moors and merlins in pursuit of pipits and larks. Large colonies of gulls can be seen. Look for hunting short-eared owls, reed buntings and twites near the coastal path. On a walk down to Waulkmill Bay, look for the small, ancient aspens clinging on to the cliff sides.
Autumn
Look for stonechats in and around the scrub, but most interest will be in Scapa Flow off the coastal path and Waulkmill Bay where wintering waterbirds can be seen. Long-tailed ducks, divers, shags, Slavonian grebes and tysties (black guillemots) can all be found.
Winter
Excellent views of red-throated, black-throated and great northern divers as well as Slavonian grebes and other wildfowl in Scapa Flow.