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 from the hide to see little, Sandwich and common terns which nest around the lagoon. Also from here, ringed plovers, lapwings, redshanks and oystercatchers can be seen nesting on the island with great crested grebes, little grebes, coots and tufted ducks on the lagoon. Black-tailed godwits, turnstones, knots and dunlins can also be seen around the island.
Whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, sedge warblers and willow warblers sing from the gorse scrub around the reserve. Early wheatears bob around on the rocks by the sea wall.
Summer
Marsh and bee orchids add colour to the flower rich grasslands formed on the calcareous limestone slag of the former iron works. Dark green fritillary and grayling butterflies dance around in warm sheltered spots. Little, common and Sandwich terns nest on the island in front of the hide, busily bringing food in to youngsters.
Autumn
Migrating waders such as greenshanks and black-tailed godwits may be seen feeding and resting around the island in front of the hide. On the lagoon, large numbers of red-breasted mergansers congregate to moult. Redwings and fieldfares pass through in large numbers in October.
Winter
Large flocks of redshanks, knots, black-tailed godwits and lapwings use the island in front of the hide for roosting. Pochards, teals, coots and gadwalls can be seen on the main lagoon.