Breeding and nesting season has begun at Europe’s largest urban wetland nature reserve.

Nature reserve Walthamstow Wetlands is inviting visitors down to enjoy "the wonder of a wild spring unfold".

The Wetlands is busy with spring activity such as birds building nests, foxes finding their mates, hedgehogs awaking from hibernation, flower buds blossoming and frogs spawning.

With visitors catching sight of rare birds passing through and the unfolding colours of flowers as they emerge to attract bees and butterflies as the weather warms.

Visitors should expect to see birds such as cormorant, common pochard, tufted duck, coot, yellow wagtail and peregrine falcon who will be courting their mates and building nests in preparation for hatching their offspring.

Walthamstow Wetlands lies on key bird migratory routes and provides an important stop-over for many birds looking for food and respite on their travels, or a place to spend the summer.

Visitors may catch sight of the last of the winter migrants returning north to Scandinavia, Russia and Arctic, including shoveler, redwing and field fare, and the influx of summer visitors from Africa and Europe, which reaches a crescendo over the next four weeks, including sedge and reed warblers, swift, swallow, and a range of waders, such as little-ringed plover and dunlin which will breed as the weather warms.

Easter activities including an egg hunt with a chocolate prize for the winner, and decorating activities will be held between Saturday, April 20 and Monday, April 22.

Leader of Waltham Forest Council Cllr Clare Coghill said: "The weather might not always match up, but 21st March marks the arrival of Spring and Walthamstow Wetlands is the perfect place to enjoy the season.

"As we celebrate our year in the spotlight as the Mayor’s first ever London Borough of Culture, what better time to come to Waltham Forest to enjoy the largest urban wetlands in Europe.

"You can get away from the bustle of London to learn more about the natural world and see wildlife thrive in a protected habitat.

"We are determined to do all we can to improve our resident’s quality of life, and are proud to have been part of this amazing conservation project."