Home Visit Attractions The Castle & Exhibitions The Dog Collar Museum The Maze & Grotto Grounds & Gardens Falconry Adventure Golf Playgrounds Wildlife Getting Around Estate Map Opening Times & Prices Getting to Leeds Castle Castle Tours Groups Education Castle Shops Gift Vouchers Food and Drink Falconry Go Ape Segway Tours Castle View Restaurant History Estate Map Security & Heritage Watch Accessibility Our Awards Tourism Partners eShop Register for Updates What’s On Accommodation Weddings Hospitality Golf Supporting Us eShop VISIT WHAT’S ON ACCOMMODATION WEDDINGS HOSPITALITY GOLF SUPPORTING US ESHOP BUY A TICKET Home VisitAttractionsWildlife WILDLIFE AT LEEDS CASTLE Something to see all year round There is an abundance of Wildlife to see throughout the 500 acre estate of Leeds Castle. Woodland, Parkland and large lakes, fed by the River Len, provide natural habitats attracting great numbers of wildfowl and common woodland birds all year round. Wander through the estate and you are most likely to see familiar birds such as Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Wagtails and Great Spotted Woodpecker - if you are lucky you may even see a Sparrowhawk or a Buzzard soaring above. The River Len, which also runs throughout the Wood Garden, is home to Kingfishers, Grass Snakes and Eels. The larger lakes provide shelter and food to flocks of Swans, Geese and Ducks and provide ideal breeding grounds in the spring and summer months. The Moat and Great Water are perfect places to see captive Black, Whooper and Trumpeter Swans all year round. Leeds Castle is also home to rarer species including Bats, Dormouse and White-Clawed Crayfish. Duck and Swan food can be purchased from the Ticket Office, Park Shop and Knights Stronghold for £1 a bag. This is a safe and healthy option for the birds and with all profits raised going directly to the upkeep of our Wildlife. Please DO NOT feed bread to the birds. Bread does not contain the necessary nutrients for Swans, Ducks or Geese and can make them ill. It can also rot in the water and cause unwanted surface algae which further harms the Wildlife. Other healthy food options which you can bring with you are lettuce, sweetcorn, wheat and spinach. If you have any questions regarding the Wildlife at Leeds Castle, please contact the Falconry and Wildlife Team on wildlife@leeds-castle.co.uk or 01622 767861. SPECIES TO SEE Our star species are some of the most interesting animals you may see on your visit to the Estate. Black Swan Eel Kingfisher SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS Each season brings a different experience on the Leeds Castle estate. Spring & Summer Listen to the birds singing in the wood garden as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. Look out for young cygnets, goslings and ducklings. Migrating birds return every year in search of nest sites. Look out for house martins, barnacle geese and common terns. See butterflies and bumblebees in the Culpeper Garden and Lady Baillie Mediterranean Garden. Bats and eels become more visible during the summer months. Autumn & Winter During the autumn see flocks of smaller woodland birds foraging for food and wildfowl start to congregate in larger groups. In the midst of winter due to the shorter hours of daylight you are more likely to see owls and more unusual ducks such as pochard and shoveler. And don’t forget to have your binoculars at the ready for kingfishers which can be seen more easily at this time of year. WILDLIFE VIDEOS Kingfishers at Leeds Castle The Famous Leeds Castle Black Swans and their Cygnets ESCAPE TO THE CASTLE The Castle Adventure Golf Knights' Stronghold Playground © 2021 Leeds Castle Foundation Photo Shoot Enquiries Filming Enquiries Video Wall FAQs & Contact Us Jobs & Volunteering Media Centre Accessibility Privacy Policy Cookie PolicyTerms & Conditions Cookie Consent The Leeds Castle website uses cookies to improve your experience. Please accept if you are ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Read More Preferences Accept All