Wildlife by month

Wetlands are one of the UK’s most varied habitats. Hundreds of species of plants and animals use them for breeding, feeding, on migration and spending the winter.

But across the seasons, the species you might encounter will vary. From the great flocks of winter, to the buzz of summer and the feats of spring and autumn migration in between, this is your guide to wetland wildlife throughout the year.

January

Big flocks of birds, colourful plumages, reedbed residents and new visitors. All to see in the short, crisp winter days.

February

Spring is on the horizon. Catkins, frogspawn, dapper drakes and the first nests appear. Our wintering birds start to leave for their breeding grounds.

March

With spring upon us, watch out for young animals such as tadpoles and ducklings. The first migrant breeding birds arrive from the sou

April

Migratory birds are now arriving thick and fast, with many setting about breeding straight away. Keep an eye to the ground for wetland flowers.

May

Set your alarm clock and catch the wetland dawn chorus at the zenith of spring. Cuckoos, dragonflies and orchids are now present, with the first young of the early breeding birds out and about too.

June

The early summer is a great time to spot the early dragonflies and damselflies, bringing a new sparkle to the wetlands. More fluffy chicks are appearing and wetland plants are in full flower.

July

The warm weather provides a bounty of food for growing youngsters, there’s a raft of new species of dragonfly on the wing, whilst ducks are entering their eclipse plumage.

August

It's the start of migration for waders heading south from the arctic, young birds are ready to fledge, more late summer dragonflies appear and so do late-flowering wetland plants.

September

Waders are passing through on their way south, our breeding birds start to disperse and the first of our wintering migrants arrive from the north as we enter autumn.

October

At autumn’s pinnacle, migratory geese continue to arrive at wetlands from their breeding grounds, amphibians think about hibernating and it’s your last chance to spot a dragonfly.

November

As the cold weather arrives, it’s time to witness swans and geese in their thousands, as well as raptors and reedbed residents.

December

Big flocks of wintering ducks, geese, swans and waders are set in to rest and feed up, as well as murmurating starlings, early moonrises and frost underneath your feet.