After dumping snow on many parts of the country last week, it seems the weather had a change of heart this weekend by surprising us with a sudden blast of brilliant sunshine. Temperatures reached 27 degrees in London on Sunday – making it hotter than Ibiza.
Like many of you, I dug out last summer’s shorts, chucked on the sunnies and headed for the beach.
Bucket and spades aside, the coast is a fantastic place for spotting wildlife. The RSPB has several coastal reserves which are definitely worth bearing in mind when planning your next seaside jaunt.
7 of the RSPB’s best coastal reserves
Labrador Bay, DevonFor an inspiring cliff walk with great sea views, head for this south Devon reserve. A well-known beauty spot, its lush, emerald-green hills offer stunning views over Lyme Bay. Look out for peregrines and cirl buntings then pop to the pub in Shaldon to refuel.
Ramsey Island, PembrokeshireExplore this rugged peninsula, characterised by secret coves and colourful spring flowers. From May to September, you’ll find a rainbow of bluebells, pink thrift and purple heather. Star species include choughs, ravens and razorbills.
Minsmere, SuffolkA favourite haunt of the Springwatch team, Minsmere is our flagship reserve and boasts fantastic coastal scenery. Secretive bitterns boom from the reedbeds and stone curlews nest, camouflaged, among the pebbles on the beach.
Culbin Sands, HighlandsThese beautiful, remote beaches and sandy dunes offer excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities. Until late spring, you should see flocks of bar-tailed godwits, knots and oystercatchers probing the shoreline at high tide, and dolphins can sometimes be seen in the firth.
Loch of Strathbeg, AberdeenshireWatch screaming gulls and arrow-like terns fill the salt skies above Britain’s largest dune. The wide expanses of sand are home to wading birds, and protective lapwings can be seen (and heard!) tumbling overhead, chasing away predators showing too much interest in their nests...
North Hoy, OrkneyDark, dramatic cliffs and wild moorland under turbulent, unpredictable skies; Hoy attracts hikers and wildlife-watchers with spirit. Great skuas patrol the seas, guillemots and kittiwakes colonise the sheer cliffs while hen harriers hunt further inland.
Arne, DorsetLizards, smooth snakes and Sandwich terns call Arne home, and summer is the best time to see them. Walk up to the viewpoint for a birds-eye view of Poole Harbour, great for watching geese and waders. Now’s the time to hear nightjars, too.