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
Courting pairs of marsh harriers can be seen performing their spectacular 'sky-dancing' displays. The reserve comes alive with the songs of spring migrants including sedge and reed warblers, cuckoos, grasshopper warblers and whitethroats. Swallows and swifts dart across the pools where great crested grebes and other waterfowl prepare their nests. Lesser spotted and great spotted woodpeckers can be heard drumming in the woodland.
Summer
In summer, the fen meadow comes alive with a rich display of wild flowers including six species of orchids. The reserve is host to a wide variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. This is the best time of year to spot the spectacular swallowtail butterfly (late May to early July and again in mid-August). Up to 20 kinds of dragonfly can be seen, including the rare Norfolk hawker. Hobbies can be spotted hunting dragonflies and marsh harriers bringing food to their young. Barn owls may be spotted in the daylight delivering food to their chicks.
Autumn
In early autumn, ospreys are regularly seen fishing as they linger on their southward migration. Wading birds can be seen on the reedbed pools and with luck you may catch a glimpse of a water rail feeding along a pool edge. Marsh harriers gather in groups to roost. Small flocks of bearded tits may be glimpsed in the reedbeds and kingfishers may be spotted diving for fish.
Winter
Hundreds of ducks, including teals, gadwalls and shovelers, feed in the reedbed pools. The resident bitterns are joined by visitors from the continent, and may be seen flying over the reeds. Towards dusk, marsh and hen harriers gather to roost. In some winters, thousands of starlings also roost in the reeds, attracting sparrowhawks, peregrines and merlins. Chinese water deer are frequently seen early and late in the day.