Sheepwash Park Local Nature Reserve

This urban park LNR has a good amount of wintering birds and during Spring/Summer/Autumn the area attracts passage migrants. The area has a large lake with islands, pools, reedbeds, trees, scrubland and open areas.

(*1) (press STAR on map), the smaller reed fringed pools usually have Dvergdykker, Vannrikse, in Summer breeding Rørsanger and on passage Sivsanger. Small numbers of Sivspurv also occur.

(*2), the large lake, called Pump House Pool has Taffeland, Laksand, Krikkand, Skjeand and Snadderand in Winter. Toppdykker, Isfugl, Linerle ssp yarrellii, Vintererle and Toppand are usually present, the surrounding trees usually have a few Grønnsisik. Makrellterne (former breeder) are possible depending on season, passage waders such as Strandsnipe, Tjeld and Dverglo still turn up annually.

(*3), areas of trees/scrubland/open areas have Heipiplerke, Tornsanger, Møller, Løvsanger, Gransanger, Munk and Hagesanger. Ravn and Vandrefalk (check electricity pylons) are regularly seen. Lerkefalk turn up in late Summer into Autumn.

(*4), Tunnel to Rattlechain Lagoon under railway line and Birmingham Canal, NOTE this tunnel is often flooded, suitable footwear advised.

(*5), Rattlechain Lagoon, in 2021 a Svarthalsdykker turned up here, overland migrating Svartand often stop over for a few days from time to time. This Lagoon is also worth checking for passage waders.