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Marsh Lane

West Midlands  >  United Kingdom

Marsh Lane Nature Reserve at Berkswell lies adjacent to and in the flood plain of the River Blythe, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Ajouté* par LeicsBirder
Dernière actualisation 21 mai 2022

Description

Since conclusion of the quarrying, the land was reinstated jointly by RMC Aggregates Western and the owners, Packington Estates. Marsh Lane Nature Reserve now consists of three main pools (one of which is a reedbed) together with woodland, grassland, ponds and some agricultural land.

Two of the main pools have been shaped and include a number of islands which, since formation, have attracted a wide range of breeding and passage waders. Four hides have been constructed which, between them, give excellent views of all the pools and islands. The hides are linked by hard paths and there is a car park within the site’s locked gates. Disabled visitors should find the site suitable for them although the paths are unbound. The paths are made of planings and are reasonably compact but wheelchair visitors may need some aid. Within the hides, seats can be unhinged or moved to allow wheelchair access to the blinds.

Up to May 2021, the site list stood at 207. Birds of particular note in this time include Mouette de Bonaparte, Huppe fasciée, Chevalier grivelé, Phalarope à bec large, Milan noir, Buse pattue, Spatule blanche, Oedicnème criard, Chevalier à pattes jaunes, Pie-grièche écorcheur, Pouillot brun and Guêpier d'Europe. Aigrette garzette occur regularly, and Balbuzard pêcheur is recorded in most years. Buse variable are daily visitors, Faucon hobereau is regular in the late summer and early autumn. Busard des roseaux are seen most years and Busard Saint-Martin less regularly. Most passage waders have occurred including Avocette élégante, Bécasseau maubèche, Chevalier arlequin, Tournepierre à collier and Bécasseau de Temminck. Up to three Grèbe à cou noir were recorded in the spring of 2000 and again in 2012 and 2014. In winter, up to 400 Canard siffleur and 500 Vanneau huppé are regularly present. There is a large colony of breeding Mouette rieuse and 15-20 pairs of Sterne pierregarin.

There are two established feeding stations which attract a variety of species including Sittelle torchepot and Pic épeiche. Pinson du Nord have visited regularly over previous winters. A 5 acre field has been set aside to provide food and cover for finches and buntings in winter and has attracted flocks of over 100 Bruant jaune and 60 Bruant des roseaux and up to 300 Linotte mélodieuse, though numbers vary considerably.

In May 2010, with help from Natural England, an area of some 16 acres of former arable ground was shaped into wet grassland with scrapes, suitable for breeding and feeding habitat for waders. Two hides have been constructed overlooking the field, linked by a series of paths through the 13 acre Siden Hill Wood. Small car parks are located at either end of this walk, which lies west of the River Blythe and can be reached, on foot, from the main reserve.

Détails

Accès

Small car parks are located at either end of this walk, which lies west of the River Blythe and can be reached, on foot, from the main reserve. There are walking trails to the hides all around the reserve. Click on the P in the map to get directions.

Terrain et Habitat

Forêt , Zone humide , Plaine , Lac , Agriculture , Arbres et buissons disséminés , Prairie , Roselière , Ville/village , Rivière

Conditions

Plat , Paysage ouvert , Niveau d'eau élevé probable

Boucle

Non

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Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Migration automnale , Migration printanière , Printemps , Hiver

Itinéraire

Sentier large

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Facile

Accessible via

A pied , Fauteuil roulant

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Oui

Liens

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

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