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
Seabirds return to the cliffs to breed. Other birds which breed on the reserve include oystercatchers, starlings, house sparrows, wrens and wheatears.
Summer
Summer is the best time to visit Sumburgh Head, when thousands of puffins and other seabirds put on a spectacular show from May to mid-August. Each species of seabird has its special nesting place on the cliffs.
The seas here are home to harbour porpoises (neesicks), white-beaked dolphins and killer, minke and even humpback whales are sometimes seen. Grey seals (selkies) often haul themselves out onto the rocks.
In late summer, male eider ducks gather below the cliffs to moult from their black-and-white breeding plumage into a sooty-brown 'eclipse' plumage.