THE VALLEY THROUGH THE SEASONS

Spring is one of the most exciting times in the valley. Birds begin singing from dawn, wildflowers emerge along the paths and hedgerows, and many animals begin raising young.

Look out for:

• Deer calves hidden quietly in long grass

• Birds gathering nesting material

• Emerging wildflowers and blossom

• Increased bird activity at sunrise and sunset

• Beaver signs around ponds and waterways

If you spot a deer calf alone, its mother is almost certainly nearby. Leave it undisturbed and admire it from a distance.

The long summer evenings offer some of the best wildlife watching of the year.

Look out for:

• Beavers emerging at dusk

• Meadows filled with wildflowers

• Butterflies and pollinators

• Young birds learning to forage

• Dragonflies around ponds and wetlands

Beaver watching, done well One of the most magical experiences at Cove Valley.

1. Head to the beaver pond around 30 minutes before sunset.

2. Sit quietly in the designated viewing area.

3. Wear muted clothing and leave the torch behind.

4. Keep conversation to a whisper.

5. Stay still and let the valley settle around you.

With patience, you may see beavers swimming, carrying branches, feeding, or repairing dams as the light fades. Beavers were absent from Britain for around 400 years — today they're helping create wetlands, improve water quality, and provide habitat for countless other species.

As summer peaks, the valley is at its busiest.

Look out for:

• Seed heads and flowering meadows

• Hawks hunting overhead

• Young deer growing stronger

• Swallows preparing to migrate

• Rich insect life supporting birds and bats

Warm evenings are best spent quietly on your deck, listening to the valley settle into night.

Perhaps the most dramatic wildlife spectacle of the year. As autumn arrives, stags enter the rutting season — their calls echo across the valley as they compete for mates and establish dominance.

What you may experience:

• Deep roaring calls carrying across the landscape

• Stags displaying and posturing

• Increased deer activity at dawn and dusk

• Misty mornings filled with sound

Watching the rut respectfully

• Watch from a distance, ideally with binoculars.

• Never approach deer during the rut.

• Keep children supervised at all times — do not allow them near the deer.

• Stay behind fences and within designated viewing areas.

Winter shows a different side of rewilding. Without leaves on the trees, wildlife is often easier to spot — frosty mornings reveal tracks, and the landscape enters a period of rest before spring returns.

Look out for:

• Animal tracks in frost or mud

• Winter bird visitors

• Dramatic skies over the valley

• Deer moving through woodland edges

• Signs of beaver activity around the waterways

The wood-fired bath, crisp air and star-filled skies make winter one of the most peaceful times to experience Cove Valley.