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
On the meadows, displaying lapwing herald the start of the breeding season while meadow pipits and skylarks sing overhead. Reed buntings, willow, grasshopper and sedge warblers declare territory from the ditch edges. Here large dragonflies such as common hawker or four-spotted chaser hunt. Yellow marsh marigold and pink lady's smock flower on the meadow attracting orange-tip and green-veined white butterflies. Willow catkins, blackthorn and hawthorn blossom adorns the wooded edge. Deep within blackcaps sing and tree sparrows investigate nestboxes. On the lough, ducks and great crested grebes display to already established mates before disappearing into the reedbed to breed.
Summer
This is the season for young birds as second broods of warblers and tree sparrows emerge. On the lough wildfowl congregate to moult their flight feathers. Look out for large congregations of gadwalls and coots. Great crested grebes emerge from the reedbed with their distinctive black and white-striped young. Female duck such as shovelers, mallards and pochards supervise their crèches of juveniles. Common terns nesting on the newly established rafts loudly defend their territory and young. Maiden flights are taken in July. Red-coloured ruddy and common darter dragonflies sunbathe on the boardwalk to the hide while damselflies hunt in the field margins.
Autumn
Swallows and martins congregate prior to heading south. Groups of meadow pipits and skylarks pass through the meadows from further north. Hen harrier can be seen patrolling the reedbed while juvenile buzzards call from overhead seeking reassurance from their parents. Flocks of lapwing take to the air heralding the arrival of large winter flocks from the east. By November, fieldfares and redwings feed on the short meadow sward. On the lough, teals have started to congregate. Pochard and tufted duck numbers are on the increase. Tree sparrow and linnet flocks come together to feed on the arable plot behind the car park.
Winter
Large flocks of golden plovers and lapwings congregate on the flooded meadows often forming huge flocks in the air as they are joined by nearby disturbed groups. On the lough, pochard and tufted duck numbers are at their peak. Look out for the occasional scaup and goldeneye from the deep water of Lough Neagh. Greylag geese and whooper swans noisily come onto the water to roost just before dusk. Tree sparrow, linnet and chaffinch flocks are at their maximum on the crop field behind the car park, as seed elsewhere is in short supply. By February, yellow-coloured celandine flowers in the wooded meadow edge, announce approaching spring.