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
The woodland will be carpeted in bluebells, primroses and wood violets in the spring. At this time of year, listen out for returning warblers such as chiffchaffs, willow warblers and blackcaps. Early butterflies on the wing should include brimstones and orange tips.
Watch for tree pipits up on the open heath, where they will perform their parachuting display flight from the tops of the pine trees. Green and great spotted woodpeckers will be very active in all areas of the reserve at this time of year.
Summer
Warm summer nights are the perfect time to look for nightjars on the heath. By August the heather will be in full bloom.
The birds will be difficult to see at this time of year, but great, blue and coal tits will be very noisy with their attendant newly-fledged young. With luck, you will also encounter the more local marsh tit.
Butterflies will also be active. Check the meadow for gatekeepers and meadow browns, whilst with luck you might see white admirals and maybe even silver-washed fritillaries around the woods. Tudeley can be excellent for dragonflies, including the local golden-ringed dragonfly, especially along the heathland trail.
Autumn
Autumn is the peak time to search for mushrooms and toadstools. Tudeley Woods now has a huge list of over one thousand different species. Berries will be forming on the woodland shrubs. Look for blackberry, hawthorn and guelder rose.
Many birds will now be in feeding flocks. Residents such as tits, nuthatches, treecreepers and woodpeckers will be joined by wintering siskins and lesser redpolls. Around the woodland edge, and on the heathy fields, search for returning redwings and fieldfares.
Winter
Winter is the time to see hunting sparrowhawks darting through the reserve, and kestrels hovering above the open fields in search of prey. Crossbills can normally be found around the conifers along the heathland trail.
At the turn of the year, mistle thrushes can be heard singing on milder days, and song thrushes join in by February. Management of the reserve is in full swing, and you will find woodsmen and RSPB staff and volunteers working the coppices, producing materials for use in country crafts whilst keeping warm around their bonfires.