The wet grassland of Elmley Marshes attracts thousands of ducks, geese and wading birds in the winter. Hen harriers, merlins, peregrines and short-eared owls can also be seen during the winter. In the summer, many wading birds, including the elegant avocet, breed on the reserve.

Elmley Marsh is the place to see birds of prey in winter and breeding wading birds in spring.