Wildlife calendar

MARCH/APRIL

• Red squirrels can be easy to see before the leaves of deciduous trees have developed
• Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and other waders are still present before they leave to nest elsewhere
• Common and Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls begin to pair up and display
• First Mallard ducklings appear
• The beautiful Brimstone butterfly is on the wing on warm and sunny days

MAY

• Terns and Gulls begin to nest on the lagoon
• Reed Warblers and Water Rails sing loudly from the reedbed
• The nationally scarce Downy Emerald dragonfly is on the wing on warm and sunny days

JUNE/JULY

• Common and Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls will be feeding chicks on the lagoon
• Up to ten species of dragonfly and damselfly will be on the wing on warm and sunny days
• Common Spotted and Marsh Orchids will be flowering in damp areas around the lagoon and reedbed
• White Admirals, Purple Hairstreaks and many other attractive butterflies will be on the wing

AUGUST

• Wader migration will be in evidence on the lagoon with Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers possible
• Red Squirrels can be difficult to see, especially on busy and hot days
• Day-flying Cinnabar and Six-spot Burnet moths are on the wing

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

• Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits will be present in good numbers especially at high tide
• Red Squirrels can be easy to see as they forage on the ground for fallen nuts, berries and fruits
• Late dragonflies can include the Migrant Hawker
• Many types of fungi can be found on the woodland floor