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Description
Bennerley Marsh is an excellent area of mixed habitats. The area once a coal mine with blast furnaces is now a wildlife reserve. The River Erewash (the county border) meanders North to South. The area has two tree lined canals on the West and East sides (one of which is disused), a number of fields used as pasture land and a sewage works. The area is dominated by the large Bennerley Viaduct (built 1877/88) that is now a cycling and walking route. It is one of only two wrought iron viaducts still to be seen in the country, the other one is Meldon Viaduct near Okehampton in Devon.
From the 'fishermans' car park head North along the West side of the disused Nottingham Canal.
(*1), press STAR on map. ledňáček říční are common here, also during Summer budníček menší, budníček větší and pěnice černohlavá.
(*2). The small woodland has žluna zelená, strakapoud velký and a good chance of sýkora lužní as well as already mentioned Summer migrants.
(*3). Continue on this path crossing concrete road and walk along side the Giltbrook, during Summer pěnice hnědokřídlá and pěnice pokřovní are regular here, later in the year lejsek šedý are possible.
(*4). Continue and turn Right over footbridge, bramborníček černohlavý, skřivan polní and strnad rákosní, during Summer look and listen for cvrčilka zelená and rákosník proužkovaný. Hedges here have strnad obecný and králíček obecný.
(*5). Continue North, at Right turn Sova pálená (dawn/dusk) are regularly seen hunting, occasionally in Winter kalous pustovka can be seen quartering the grassland here. Continue and turn Left (signed Eastwood), crossing fields look out for drozd cvrčala and drozd kvíčala in Winter, continue and turn Left at tarmac road crossing River Erewash towards Erewash Canal.
(*6). At canal vlaštovka obecná, jiřička obecná and rorýs obecný with potápka malá and polák chocholačka on the canal, occasionally a rybák obecný can be seen.
(*7). Turn Right and walk along the canal, at aquaduct over the River Erewash stop and look for konipas horský or maybe ledňáček říční, the nearby trees hold Summer migrants and in Winter čečetka zimní and čížek lesní.
(*8). Continue along canal path to Eastwood Lock, cross canal here and in front of you is North Marsh. káně lesní, krahujec obecný and poštolka obecná are regular here with bekasina otavní and slučka malá in Winter.
(*9). Continue on towpath and at bridge yet another chance of pěnice hnědokřídlá and pěnice pokřovní are usual.
(*10). Continue on footpath towards disused Nottingham Canal, near next bridge (do not cross), turn Right and follow canal. drozd brávník and drozd zpěvný are regular here, listen out for sýkora lužní. Continue on this path and cross tarmac path.
(*11). Water Treatment Works, Konipas bílý ssp yarrellii and konipas horský can be found here, in Summer rorýs obecný, vlaštovka obecná, jiřička obecná and břehule říční are usually around.
(*12). National Coal Board Disposal Site, near the viaduct look out for poštolka obecná, surrounding trees hold Summer migrants.
(*13). Cross bridge over River Erewash (see extra info below), continue on path and near main road stop and scan the area (telescope essential) near the river, in Winter large flocks of kulík zlatý can sometimes be found resting in the flooded fields. čírka obecná and hvízdák eurasijský are also possible.
Details
Access
From the M1 Motorway (to the East) exit at junction 26 signed Nottingham A610, leave roundabout at sign Matlock/Ripley/Ilkeston on A610. Eventually leave A610 at sign Ilkeston A6096/Eastwood B6010, at next roundabout take exit signed Ilkeston A6096/Cossall. Continue on A6096 and just after Cotmaney sign turn Right into Newton's Lane, almost immediately turn Left to car park (free-12 spaces), please do not park in road.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , City/village , AgricultureConditions
Flat , Wet , SlipperyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
As of the Summer of 2024 the concrete bridge between (*12) and (*13) is NOW TEMPORARILY CLOSED. To gain access to (*13) walk West from 'fishermans' car park along Newton's Lane.
Unfortunately over the last few years motorcyclist causing damage are gaining access to the reserve (mostly weekends), if you see illegal motorcycles on site please phone the POLICE on freephone 101 and report (possibly use what3words).