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Description
Tucklesholme Nature Reserve is a relatively new reserve. The former gravel pit was acquired by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and first opened in 2019. The area has already proved productive for birds with both prekomorski prodnik and Temminckov prodnik being found shortly after it's opening. BE AWARE with the River Trent running alongside the reserve the site is prone to flooding following periods of prolonged rain.
(*1) (press STAR on map). From the car park take the footpath on the Left the open areas, trees and hedges here have vinski drozg and brinovka in Winter. veliki detel are also regular here, with vrbji kova ek and the occasional severni kovaček especially in Spring.
Continue along this path to a viewing screen (*2) overlooking the largest lake, depending on season kreheljc are regular here with mlakarica, žvižgavka, konopnica, žličarica and zelenonoga tukalica, sometimes in smaller numbers. Passage birds, sometimes staying for longer periods, include mali martinec, komatni deževnik, mali deževnik, spremenljivi prodnik and črnorepi kljunač are regular especially in Autumn when water levels drop. More common are školjkarica, rdečenogi martinec and priba.
Continue on the footpath that runs near the railway line (*3), the smaller lakes here have bičja trstnica and srpična trstnica. zelenonoga tukalica and mali ponirek are regularly seen and svilnica (more often heard than seen of course) can also be found here.
(*4). Look for kanja overhead, rjavi lunj are occasionally seen and later in the year velika bela čaplja seem to favour this end of the reserve.
(*5). Trees and bushes around here have repnik sometimes in quite large numbers, on passage rjava penica, prosnik and repaljščica can be expected, in more open areas poljski škrjanec and navadna postovka are regularly seen and in the morning and evenings Pegasta sova are occasionally seen hunting.
On the way back to the car park (*6) check the large lake one last time, veliki žagar and zvonec can sometimes be seen. Along with the resident čopasti ponirek, mali ponirek, čopasta črnica and liska . pikasti martinec, kozica, puklež are regularly seen mostly later in the year. Both sivi galeb and navadna čigra are occasional visitors in Spring.
Details
Access
The long distance A38 main road from Lichfield to the South West and Burton-upon-Trent to the North East, passes just to the North West of the site. On the A38 (Northeast bound), near Barton take exit signed Barton-upon-Needwood/Walton-upon-Trent/B5016, at roundabout take first exit signed Station Road B5016, at next smaller roundabout take second exit into Station Lane, the car park is on this road on the Left.
On A38 main road Southwest bound, near Barton take exit onto B5016 signed Barton-upon-Trent/Walton-upon-Trent/B5016, at next roundabout take second exit onto B5016, at next roundabout take third exit onto Station Lane, the car park is on this road on the Left.
NOTE: the car park (free) has height restriction barrier, the car park is LOCKED PROMPTLY AT NIGHT, opening hours are , Winter 1st October - 31st March 0800-1700hrs, Summer 1st April - 30th September 0800-1900hrs.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Pond , Lake , City/village , Reedbeds , River , WetlandConditions
Flat , High water possible , WetCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
Winter , SpringBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
***IMPORTANT PLEASE DO NOT STRAY FROM MARKED PATHWAYS***. Birds have been seriously disturbed by people NOT STAYING ON marked footpaths.
Late Summer 2024, some paths may be closed/diverted whilst work to improve the Northern Lake is under way, it is hoped the improvements will attract bobnarica in the future, this work is due to be completed in six weeks, weather permitting.