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
Wading birds such as lapwings, oystercatchers, redshanks and snipe can be seen displaying. The skies are full of singing skylarks. The 'crex, crex' call of the corncrakes may be heard from May. On the beach, Arctic terns and ringed plovers often nest. Eiders, mallards, shovelers and tufted ducks breed here, too.
Summer
Fields and roadside verges are full of flowers such as clover, fumitory and vetch. The endangered great yellow bumblebee can be found here. Look out for otter on Manse Loch and along the coast.
Wading birds are rearing their young and the long summer evenings are filled with the sound of curlews, oystercatchers, redshanks and snipe. Listen out for the corncrakes at this time of year.
Autumn
More than 1,000 greylag geese arrive from Iceland. Many migrants start to move through from continental Europe, often bringing the odd rarity.
Winter
Winter brings a variety of ducks; wigeons, teals and goldeneyes on Manse Loch. Offshore, flocks of eiders, long-tailed ducks and great northern divers can be seen. Farmland birds can be found sheltering and feeding in many fields.