Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Flocks of black-tailed godwits can be seen here. In spring - when they rest and feed here before heading north to Iceland to breed - they are resplendent in their 'tomato soup-red' breeding attire. On their return in autumn, you can pick out the scaly-backed juvenile birds if you look closely. |  |
Flocks of brent geese come to feed on the estuary in winter. They can be seen in good numbers here from October and linger well into the spring to make sure their Arctic breeding grounds have thawed out. |  |
Watch out for breeding-plumaged dunlins with black bellies during spring. Later in the year, the birds will look more scruffy as they moult their feathers, and you'll see young birds making their way south from the Arctic breeding grounds where they hatched. |  |
Large flocks of knots gather on the estuary from autumn into spring. In early spring they sport reddish breeding plumage but are rather dull grey the rest of the time. |  |
Nightingales breed in the hedgerows and scrub. Listen for their incredibly rich, musical song in late April and May. If you are lucky, you may spot one sitting among the foliage, its body almost shaking with the effort! |  |