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
The cirl buntings become territorial and start to form pairs early in the spring. The males' distinctive rattles can be heard frequently across the reserve. There are spectacular displays of bluebells along parts of the coastal footpath and within the Great Plantation woodland (though there's no access into woodland). Look out for peregrines as they are seen frequently flying along the cliff top.
Summer
The cirl buntings will be well into their breeding season so can become quieter and harder to see. The adults will be busy breeding and will spend lots of their time quietly foraging for grasshoppers and other bugs in the grasslands and low intensity arable to feed their chicks. By the end of the summer they will be in family groups so become easier to see (and hear) again. The grasslands on the reserve should be looking at their best and will be alive with chirruping grasshoppers and butterflies such as marbled whites and small coppers. Summer migrants such as whitethroats, blackcaps and chiffchaffs will have taken up residence in the scrub along the cliff edge and along the sheltered valleys.
Autumn
This can be a good time of year to see cirl buntings as they will flock up and spend most of their time foraging on the stubbles that are being specially managed for them. They are often seen perching in the hedge around the car park. Other farmland birds are attracted to the stubbles such as skylarks, chaffinches and yellowhammers.
Winter
The number of birds on the stubbles on the reserve should increase as food becomes harder to find. Look for cirl buntings perched on hedges around these stubbles. Cirl buntings will sing all year round so on bright sunny days, listen out for the males' rattling calls.