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
Ospreys return from Africa in late March and can be seen fishing around the loch. Spring is the time to watch breeding waders, such as lapwings, snipe and curlews carrying out their aerobatic displays over the marsh. Flocks of black-tailed godwits are also seen regularly in the spring roosting among the resident wading birds.
Resident otters become more active around the loch. Summer migrants, such as garden and willow warblers return, adding their voices to the dawn chorus.
Summer
Breeding wildlife, such as shovelers, gadwalls and mute swans begin to emerge from loch vegetation with their young. Sedge warblers and reed buntings sing from the tops of reeds.
The reserve is at its scenic best as loch vegetation begins to bloom, providing colourful floral displays from plants such as the regionally important nodding bur-marigold, and the nationally scarce cowbane and greater spearwort.
Swallows, martins and swifts hawk insects over the loch - occasionally skimming the surface to drink. Insect activity is at its peak during the warm summer days with dragonflies and butterflies flitting around the reserve along swamp and ditch margins.
Autumn
Lower water levels provide ideal feeding opportunities for migrating wading birds such as greenshanks, snipe and ruffs. Wintering populations of whooper swans, pink-footed and greylag geese return from their northern breeding grounds. Mixed flocks of tits, goldcrests and treecreepers can be seen along the reserve trails. Winter thrushes such as fieldfares and redwings can be seen feasting on rowan trees along the reserve trails.
Winter
Resident wildfowl populations are boosted by the return of wintering ducks, including goldeneyes, goosanders and wigeons. Shy water rails are often seen more in the reeds along the waters edge. Roe deer can often be seen grazing along the loch shores, and red squirrels take advantage of the peanuts provided at the feeding station.
Great spotted woodpeckers can be seen and heard calling through the trees around the loch, whilst on the water a sighting of a kingfisher is a possibility.