Recent sightings

Find out what's been seen lately on some of our most popular reserves.

Whether viewed from land or from the sea, Bempton Cliffs is a true spectacle, particularly so during the breeding season when vast numbers of seabirds are present. The reserve extends to over 3 miles (5 km) and is on average 86 m above sea level with 45 ha of sheer cliff face; these are the largest chalk sea-cliffs in eastern Britain. More...

Blacktoft Sands

Blacktoft Sands is part of the exciting complex of habitats around the Humber estuary. The tidal reedbed is the largest in England and is important for its breeding bearded tits, marsh harriers and bitterns. The reserve has saline lagoons, which are rare in Europe and are an ideal habitat for a variety of breeding and migrant waders, including avocets. More...

Conwy

Coastal lagoons and grassland alongside the Conwy estuary with spectacular views of Snowdonia. Waders and wildfowl are the main interest but well over 200 species have been recorded at this exciting reserve. More...

Dungeness

Dungeness nature reserve occupies nearly 1,000 hectares of the Dungeness peninsula, the largest shingle formation of its kind in Europe. It is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve. More...

Fairburn Ings

Fairburn Ings is the ideal place to see wetland birds at close quarters throughout the year. In winter, the large numbers of wildfowl include smews, goldeneyes and goosanders. In summer, breeding wading birds include redshanks, snipe and lapwings. More...

Lakenheath Fen

Ten years ago, the land that is now Lakenheath Fen nature reserve was a carrot field with little to offer in the way of wildlife interest. Now it's a wetland area filled with life: marsh harriers, hobbies, bearded tits and warblers, with golden orioles in the poplar plantations. More...

Leighton Moss

Leighton Moss is the largest remaining reedbed in north-west England. The reserve is well-known for its special birds: breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets. More...

Loch of Strathbeg

Loch of Strathbeg is exciting all year-round. In winter, thousands of wild geese, swans and ducks come to the loch. During spring and summer, gulls and wading birds raise their young; otters can be seen fishing in the loch. More...

Lochwinnoch

Situated within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch is one of the few remaining wetlands in west Scotland. The visitor centre, with its observation tower and telescopes, offers excellent views over the marshland and loch, where in the winter you may see a variety of wildfowl and waders. More...

Minsmere

If you'd like to see avocets, marsh harriers and bitterns, Minsmere is the place to visit in spring and summer. In winter, the shallow lagoons attract many wading birds and waterfowl including black-tailed godwits and Bewick's swans. The spring and autumn migration seasons are exciting times to visit the reserve. More...

Avocet standing in still water with reflection

Old Moor

In winter, over 8,000 golden plovers join many other wading birds and waterfowl on the reserve. In summer, watch swallows and martins over the open water and dragonflies buzzing over flower-filled ditches. More...

Pulborough Brooks

Pulborough Brooks is set in the scenic Arun Valley in West Sussex - a patchwork of wet grassy meadows, flower-filled hedgerows and shaded lanes. There is something of interest to see and hear all through the year. More...

Lapwing - adult female in breeding habitat pasture

Rye Meads

In summer, a colony of common terns nests on specially made rafts in the old lagoons and kingfishers breed in an artificial sandbank. During winter, ducks such as shovelers, gadwalls and tufted ducks can be seen on the open water. More...

Strumpshaw Fen

This reserve introduces you to the full range of broadland habitats and wildlife. Walk round the reedbeds, woodlands and orchid-rich meadows and you could chance upon marsh harriers, bitterns and kingfishers. More...

The Lodge

This reserve is a mixture of woodland, heathland and acid grassland and includes the formal gardens of the RSPB's UK headquarters. More...

Vane Farm

The reserve is part of the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve and it is to the Loch and surrounding wet grassland that pink-footed and greylag geese, whooper swans and thousands of dabbling ducks are attracted each winter. In summer, ospreys fish in the Loch and the grassland provides nesting sites for redshanks, snipe and lapwings. More...

Ynys-hir

Set on the south side of the Dyfi estuary, this reserve mixes the delights of a Welsh oak woodland with the wet grassland and saltmarshes of the estuary. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the woodland when it is full of bird song and spring flowers. More...

Reserves