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
Ducks begin to leave in March and the first wading birds move through on their way north. Avocets and Mediterranean gulls return to breed among the black-headed gull colony on the Scrape, followed in mid April by the first common terns. Look for the dramatic switchback display flights of marsh harriers above the reedbeds and listen for deep booming call of the elusive male bittern. In the woods, listen for the beautiful songs of nightingales and various warblers or drumming great spotted woodpeckers. Sand martins return to nest outside the café and the first dragonflies emerge in late April. Look for Dartford warblers and woodlarks on the heath, or a basking adder, fresh from hibernation.
Summer
Look for young avocets, common terns and gulls on the Scrape. The first spotted redshanks, ruffs and other wading birds begin to return from the Arctic from late June. Bitterns are often easiest to see on their feeding flights, as they bring food back to their hungry chicks. Young marsh harriers flap hesitantly over the reeds. Look for an excellent variety of butterflies and dragonflies flitting, dashing and buzzing around the reserve. Hobbies may hunt the dragonflies above the reedbeds. Rare plants such as yellow horned-poppy flower on the dunes, where little terns sometimes nest in a specially fenced enclosure. The heaths turn a stunning purple as the heather begins to flower, while nightjars churr at dusk, when you may spot a glow-worm too.
Autumn
Migration is in full swing with a continuous stream of birds passing through. Wading birds on the Scrape may include curlew sandpipers, little stints or ruffs, and perhaps a rare visitor from North America. Duck numbers increase as first the teals, then other species return. Brent geese may head south offshore from late September, and the Bewick’s swans may arrive in late October. Calm mornings are a great time to spot bearded tits in the reedbed. Kingfishers are most easily seen. Flocks of starlings or marsh harriers may gather at dusk. The red deer rut is the star attraction on the heath during October.
Winter
Large flocks of ducks gather on the Scrape and grazing marshes, with teals and wigeons most numerous. Look for Bewick’s swans, smews and goldeneyes among them. Birds of prey may include marsh and hen harriers, peregrines, barn or short-eared owls. Otters are occasionally seen on Island Mere or reedbed pools. The visitor centre feeders attract large flocks of tits and finches. Woodcocks are sometimes seen during cold weather. Large flocks of red-throated divers and great crested grebes can be seen offshore.