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 Corcodel mic, Cârstel de baltă, in Summer breeding Lăcar de stuf and on passage Lăcar mic. Small numbers of Presură de stuf also occur.

(*2), the large lake, called Pump House Pool has Rață cu cap castaniu, Ferestraș mare, Rață mică, Rață lingurar and Rață pestriță in Winter. Corcodel mare, Pescăraș albastru, Codobatură pestriță, Codobatură de munte and Rață moțată are usually present, the surrounding trees usually have a few Scatiu. Chiră de baltă (former breeder) are possible depending on season, passage waders such as Fluierar de munte, Scoicar and Prundăraș gulerat mic still turn up annually.

(*3), areas of trees/scrubland/open areas have Fâsă de luncă, Silvie de câmp, Silvie mică, Pitulice fluierătoare, Pitulice mică, Silvie cu cap negru and Silvie de zăvoi. Corb and Șoim călător (check electricity pylons) are regularly seen. Șoimul rândunelelor 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 Corcodel cu gât negru turned up here, overland migrating Rață neagră often stop over for a few days from time to time. This Lagoon is also worth checking for passage waders.