Why Spring Is the Most Sensitive Season on the Wetlands

There is a moment each year when our wetlands seem to come alive all at once. Lapwings tumble across the wet meadows, a reedbed begins to whisper with the calls of warblers, and the first fluffy chicks totter out from the cover of rushes and sedge. It is a joy to witness — and it is also the most fragile time of year for the wildlife that depends on these habitats.

Between March and July, our resident birds and the many migrants arriving from Africa are focused on one thing: raising young. A nest on the ground, a scrape beside the water, or a burrow in the bank offers little protection from the weather, predators, or us. That is why spring is when our choices as visitors matter most. Disturbance at a critical moment can mean the difference between a brood fledging or failing entirely.

The good news is that protecting nesting birds rarely asks much of us. A few small changes to how we move, where we walk, and how we watch can make an enormous difference.

Keeping Dogs on Leads — and Out of the Margins

Dogs are wonderful companions on a wetland walk, and nobody wants to spoil a good day out. But a dog off the lead can be catastrophic for ground-nesting birds. Even a friendly, well-behaved dog that simply runs through a patch of reeds can flush a sitting bird, leaving eggs or tiny chicks exposed to cold and predators. Worse, a curious dog can disturb a nest without anyone realising it was ever there.

From March until the end of July, keep your dog on a short lead on and around wetland reserves — and please keep to the paths. The margins beside the water, the rough grass, and the reed edges are exactly where birds like lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe choose to nest. If your dog heads into those places, it may be inadvertently walking over nests or forcing adults off eggs.

If you use a long line, keep it slack enough to give your dog some freedom but short enough that they cannot slip into the vegetation. Pick up after your dog as well; waste left near water degrades the very habitat we are all here to enjoy.

Respecting Path Closures and Seasonal Routes

Many reserves introduce seasonal path closures or reroute trails during the breeding season. These are not designed to be inconvenient. They are based on years of observation and often protect the last few pairs of a struggling species.

If a path is closed, please take the alternative route even if the closure looks minor. A temporary diversion of a few hundred metres can be the difference between a successful nest and a failed one. If you are walking a circular route and find a closure halfway round, do not be tempted to press on through. Turn back and enjoy the walk the other way — or better, plan ahead and check the reserve's seasonal trail map before setting out.

Look out for signs explaining which species are nesting nearby. They are usually placed at the point where protection matters most, and reading them takes seconds.

Watching from a Distance — and Knowing When to Stop

Birdwatching is at its best when the birds are behaving naturally, and that means keeping your distance. Use binoculars or a scope rather than edging closer. A good pair of binoculars will show you far more of a bird's behaviour than a close approach ever will.

Watch for signs of stress. If a bird is calling repeatedly, circling overhead, or performing a distraction display — dragging a wing as if injured — you are too close. Back away slowly and quietly. That "broken wing" display is a bird's way of drawing you away from a nest or chicks, and it means you have already disturbed something important.

Avoid lingering at nest sites, and never handle eggs or chicks. If you find a young bird on the ground, leave it be unless it is clearly injured; many fledglings are simply waiting for a parent to return with food.

Small Habits That Add Up

Beyond dogs and paths, there are plenty of simple ways to reduce your impact:

• Stay on marked paths at all times, particularly near water edges, reedbeds, and shingle banks.
• Keep voices low and avoid sudden loud noises, which can startle birds off nests.
• Leave no trace — take litter home, as food waste attracts predators like foxes, rats, and gulls.
• Avoid drone flying over wetland reserves, as the noise and movement cause serious disturbance.
• Observe from a hide where one is available; hides give you a wonderful view without pressure on the birds.
• Share the message with fellow visitors, gently and kindly, when you see wildlife being disturbed.

None of these habits are hard, and together they help safeguard some of our most vulnerable species — from bitterns booming in the reedbeds to lapwings tumbling over the wet meadows.

Helping Wetland Wildlife Thrive This Spring

British wetlands are among our richest habitats, supporting everything from bearded tits and marsh harriers to water voles and dragonflies. But they are also among our most pressured. Every year, nesting birds return to the same fragile places, hoping for a quiet, undisturbed season in which to raise their young.

By keeping dogs on leads, respecting path closures, and watching from a respectful distance, you become part of their success. You help ensure that the skylark still rises over the marsh in June, that the reed warbler's scratchy song still drifts from the reeds, and that future generations can enjoy the same spring spectacle.

So enjoy the season — bring your binoculars, take your time, and let the birds get on with the important business of raising the next generation. A little care from us goes a very long way.