Wander to watch wetland wildlife this winter
Winter is a magical time of year to be at our wetlands. A sense of peace and tranquillity settles over the landscape and our watery spaces become gentler, relaxing places that encourage moments of stillness.
Be inspired by our wild side…. and plan time out in nature this winter.
In winter wildlife is braver. Focusing on their food the normally shy bullfinches, snipe and water rail are more visible. The spectacle of the evening roost happens earlier, with swirls of pied wagtail and soaring harriers against dark afternoon skies.
The quiet, winter-browns of hedgerow and meadows highlight the textures of fungi, lichens, bark and seed heads. On frosty days they become a sparkling wonderland, each plant gilded in diamond.
Connect with nature and find special moments with wildlife this winter at your wetland centre.
Why not start with a boat safari? Once on board our wildlife guide will take you through the Wetland Discovery area to look for stonechats on the islands and mallards, tufted ducks and coots on the water. Look out for the peregrine pair on the Offham hanger and any kingfishers perching in the willows along the water. The kingfishers hang about the boat jetty on cold days so keep an eye out!
Take a gentle stroll down the Tranquil Trail towards the Lapwing hide.Look for long-tailed tits, fieldfare, redwing and siskin flitting in hedgerows along the way. At the end you’ll discover a quiet Willow arbour, perfect for a mindful moment.The bench at Black Poplar memorial is another quiet spot to watch for wildlife down the reedbed’s channels. At the Lapwing hide you may see grey heron or teal in the ponds. Look up for buzzards and red kite from the Offham hanager.
Head for the Ramsar hide where glance down from the hide windows in the fen cut may reveal snipe skulking. Out on the cobble islands look for cormorants and lapwings. Kingfisher often favour this hide for fishing. On the water count gadwall and shelduck.
Around the corner is the Sand martin hide, sister hide to Ramsar across the water. Look for many of the same species here plus kingfishers on the perch or over the water to the trees opposite. Twenty plus little egret and cattle egret come in to roost in the trees to the right of the hide in the late afternoons. When you leave look for gold crests, they love the hedges here.
The Scrape hide is famous for the marsh harrier roost in the afternoon but in the morning look out for snipe in front of the hide and among the reeds just opposite. We have been seeing a bittern here in December. Last January there were showing well, walking on the frozen pond.
Before you turning onto the Reedbed Boardwalk stroll a bit further to discover the peaceful Reedbed Willow Sphere. This enchanting structure invites you to pause for a mindful moment with amazing views across to Arundel Castle.
Enter the Reedbed Boardwalk - the wooden walkway weaves through dry reeds that whisper in the winter breeze. Watch for wildlife from one of its benches for peaceful moments. You may hear the squeal of water rails wintering in the reedbed or see pied wagtails coming into roost in the late afternoon.
The boardwalk exit leads you into the Wood Loop. Time at the feeders rewards your patience with blue, great and coal tits, long-tailed tits, nuthatches, goldfinch and chaffinches on the feeder along the walkway.
Follow the path along to visit the wetland birds we care for in our living collection. Black-necked grebes bob about in the Waterfalls pen. The Lakes and Forest exhibit and Reed Swamp are home to many species we are working with to protect. Our new sign panels will help you sort who’s who.
Once through the gates, you’ll see the Coastal Creek aviary. The path allows views with no fences of avocets, spectacled eiders, scoters and longtails inside. Perfect for photographers!
Pelican Cove is always open and the Dalmatian pelicans take fish from our Keepers several times a day. Don’t miss the Keepers talk here at 2 pm.
Across from the cove you’ll find the Discovery hide, overlooking the Arun Riverlife lagoon. The water here can be crowded with coots, Canada geese, greylags, a few pochard, tufted ducks and more. You may even spot a kingfisher zipping through!
Whatever time of day you visit, Water’s Edge Café is the perfect place to relax; be it while fuelling up with a breakfast bacon roll, popping in for a soup of the day for lunch or spoiling yourself with an afternoon cappuccino and holiday treats. Visit the gift shop for last minute stocking stuffers including binoculars, bird care and books about wildlife.
There are so many amazing wetland wildlife moments to be had during the winter months - just make sure you don't miss them.
Ready to visit?
If you've been inspired to explore our wetlands this winter, find out more and plan your visit online.
