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
Many of the over-wintering wildfowl and waders are still present in March, dark-bellied brent geese, wigeons, oystercatchers, dunlins, black-tailed godwits etc; many of them moulting into summer plumage. By the end of April, nesting is in full swing on the islands and Mediterranean gulls, Sandwich, common and little terns can be often seen.
Summer
In June and July, newly-fledged gulls and terns. In July, returning black-tailed godwits, and by August, the return of waders is underway and little egrets become numerous.
Autumn
September is a good month for whimbrels on passage and grey plovers, many still in their summer plumage; in most years, ospreys are seen in the harbour. Little egrets. By mid-October, the dark-bellied brent geese numbers are rising, hopefully with many young, and dunlins are busy feeding at low tide.
Winter
A good time for watching waders and wildfowl feeding at low tide. Good views are often had from the seawall at Broadmarsh Coastal Park as the rising tide approaches the shoreline (approximately four hours before high tide) and as the first mudflats are uncovered on the falling tide (approximately three hours after high tide).