Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
In spring and summer, listen for the garden warbler's exuberant, bubbling song (quite similar to the blackcap's). They can be hard to see as they hide among woodland and scrub. |  |
Great spotted woodpeckers can be seen foraging high up in the trees. Male birds have red on the back of their head, the crown of young birds is red. Females have no red on their heads |  |
Less colourful than other members of the tit family, marsh tits can often be seen foraging for food not far from the ground. Listen for their distinctive 'sneezing' 'pitchoo' call. |  |
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! |  |
From winter onwards, look for sparrowhawks displaying high above the trees on sunny days. Also listen for the alarm calls of smaller birds as sparrowhawks fly through the dense woodland, their favoured habitat. |  |